Green Cleaning to Save Money and Help Weakened Immune Systems

It was just a couple of months ago that I attended a seminar at our local Cancer Support Communities clubhouse on essential oils. Now, I have heard about essential oils for years. I've used a few - lavender to make my laundry smell good and peppermint to try to keep mice and ants away. But, that was really about the extent of my knowledge. That all changed after I took part in the class. I don't know what clicked with me, but something did and suddenly I am knee-deep into learning all about essential oils.

Green cleaning 101

Beginning to learn more about the essential oils has opened up many worlds to me. One of them is "green cleaning." With our weakened immune systems, it seems logical to rid ourselves of as many products in our homes as we can that are full of harmful chemicals. Rather than purchase expensive, "all-natural" (are they?) products at the store, it is really easy to make them.

It amazes me that we can use very common products that almost all of us have in our homes, products like baking soda and vinegar, to make cleaning products that will allow us to throw out the more toxic cleaners that we buy at the grocery store. You'll not only help your body not have to fight against the toxins in those products, you'll save money. Win-win, right?

Baking soda to the rescue

My husband and I both drink a lot of coffee. He doesn't like for me to wash his cup because of the lingering taste of dishwashing soap that I can't seem to rinse completely away. As a result, his cup becomes nearly black with coffee stains. So does the stainless steel spoon that he uses to stir in his Sweet n Low. I resorted to cleaning his cup and the coffee carafe with Oxyclean, but I don't feel completely comfortable using it. Unfortunately, though, it was the safest thing I knew of that would take care of the stains.

Until now.

I read a blog somewhere that said I could use baking soda to remove the stains. I scoffed. I thought, "No way." But, still, I gave it a try. I wish I had taken pictures. The result was immediate and dramatic. I'm no chemist so I don't know the "why" behind it, but I know practically that it worked!! Quickly. Without much scrubbing!! Wow! It worked on the stainless steel spoon and the carafe, too!

Just a little vinegar will do!

And, did you know that you can clean your kitchen counters (not granite) with plain vinegar? A study by the Ohio State University found the following to be as effective a cleaner as bleach in killing listeria, e.coli, and salmonella pathogens.¹

1. Heat 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar (the liquid will be warm, not hot)
2. Pour the warm vinegar into a clean spray bottle.
3. Immediately spray the warm vinegar on kitchen surfaces, countertops, sink, refrigerator interior, faucets, whatever needs to be cleaned and sanitized.
4. Let it sit for one minute.
5. Wipe dry with a clean towel.

Happy cleaning! Do you use natural products or have a DIY recipe that you can share? I love saving money, making it myself, and easing the way for my immune system all at the same time!