Spring is here and you're probably already thinking about opening the windows and start with the scrubbing, dusting, washing, and soaking. I used to skip Spring cleaning all together; I did not have time to spend hours cleaning.
But, Spring is an opportunity to clear away all the grime, stale and stuffy air accumulated over the winter. The big problem with using traditional cleaners is that they will bring toxins in your house when you release dust. After all, traditional household cleaners tend to include a wide range of chemicals that can cause irritations, asthma, and even cancer.

So, why not making your spring cleaning easier and more natural this year?

My main tip: Use a Natural Multi-Purpose cleaner.
 
All-purpose cleansers are key for easy natural spring cleaning, extremely useful, and time savior. After all, you can use it to clean water jugs, kettles, laminate and melamine-finished surfaces, and it is also useful to clean all those tiled surfaces like kitchen and bathroom skins, floors, among others.
  To make your own natural multi-purpose cleaner, you just need to use a one-liter container. Just mix one tablespoon of your favorite essential oil, one tablespoon of white vinegar, one tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda, and 1 liter of hot water to dissolve all the ingredients. Just shake the container well and it is ready to be used. 
 If you don’t want to make your own multi-purpose, there are many all-purpose cleansers on the market and they cost between $5 and $15. My top favorite one is the Puracy natural all-purpose cleaner concentrate; it makes 1 Gallon of all-purpose cleanser and saves a lot for natural spring cleaning. Other favorites are the J.R. Watkins natural all-purpose cleaner and the Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner, and the Common Good - All Purpose Cleaner.

Step 1: Dust, move furniture easily and then mop your floor in this order -
 Remove all your rugs, shake them outside, and them out while you are cleaning your floors. If you have washable rugs like me, just toss them in the laundry machine. Also, wash anything you need like your mattress cover. Don’t forget to use a natural laundry detergent http://amzn.to/2G4Tghi.  Dusting after you clean your floor, will just leave some dust around. Focus on high-traffic zones and handle the rest later. The goal is to quickly and effectively naturally clean the grimiest areas.

  Dust accumulates easily under furniture, but it does not have to stay there because you can’t move your furniture. Before using you vacuum, move any size furniture with a reusable furniture moving kit. Clean all dust before vacuuming. I use the OXO Good Grips Microfiber Extendable Duster for dusting; it has a rotate head and get into all the corners to remove dust. It is also machine washable.

 Then, make your natural floor cleaner do the hard work. Here is a DIY recipe for an effective that will clean the scum away. All you need to do to make your own floor cleaner is to fill a bucket with 10 liters of water. Then, just add two tablespoons of soda crystals and three tablespoons of liquid black soap. To have your floor cleaner with a nice fragrance, just add a few drops of orange or lemon essential oil and a dozen drops of tea tree essential oil.
Looking for natural hardwood floor cleanser, try the Seventh Generation Wood Cleaner; it is very effective and has a great scent.

Step 2: Use a Steamer to Naturally Clean your Windows and Curtains  
All you need here is a steamer, water, and a dry cloth. When you steam your curtains, you kill any bacteria and the condensation will accumulate also on the windows. You can wipe down your wet window. Then, wipe the windows from the outside and you are done!

Step 3: Naturally Clean Your Fridge in 15 minutes  
 I used to dread cleaning my fridge. I am being real; I will postpone this forever until I had to do it. Now, this is one of the easier step. My trick is using refrigerator mats; all I need to do is to move each mat, soak them in warm water that has my all-purpose cleaner for five minutes, then wash away any residues. When I removed the mats, I usually spray some of my all-purpose natural cleanser on the fridge shelves and let it rest while I’m soaking the mats. Once the mats are washed and are drying, I wipe away the all-purpose cleanser with a damp cloth or sponge; I use the mesh & terry cloth kitchen sponges. This step takes me about five minutes.
My final step is to use of dry cloth and wipe away any remaining residues before putting everything back in the fridge and I’m done. I highly we command that should by these mats. Now, what to do if you don’t have refrigerator mats? Remove everything from your refrigerator, then pray your all-natural all-purpose cleanser all over your fridge; let it sit for a good 10 minutes while you prepare a powerful natural scrub away natural mixture.

One of the best natural ingredients that you can use to clean your fridge is lemon. After all, it's an odor-fighting agent and it's antibacterial. To make sure that you take advantage of all its properties, just use the juice of half a lemon and mix it with two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda, and five drops of lemon essential oil. Add this mixture to a bowl of warm water.

After 10 minutes all this scum should have softened; use this mixture and scrub all over the surfaces of your refrigerator. Then, wiped it away with a damp cloth or sponge and dry cloth before putting your mats and other items back in your fridge.

Step 4: Refresh your Mattress and Clean Your Shower or Bath
 Sprinkle the baking soda on your mattress to draw dirt and moisture out naturally and let it sit before vacuuming. Then head to your shower or bathroom. Clear all counters and spread your all-natural all-purpose cleanser and let it sit while you vacuum your mattress. After vacuuming do your bed, put back your mattress cover and make your bed.  Lastly, clean all the countertops, shower, and tub in your bathroom with the mesh & terry cloth kitchen sponges and another sponge and wipe dry. For my toilet bowl, I use the Eco-Me Natural Powerful Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Herbal Mint.

I highly recommend that you break all these steps over the weekend. I would recommend no more than one or two steps at the time; your will be done in no time. Happy natural Spring cleaning!

SWAP IT OUT : Are you looking for an alternative to your Fabric Softener? Swap your Tide fabric softener for Attitude fabric softener. Today I am dishing about fabric softener. Yes, fabric softeners. They are a must in our Laundry rooms. They make everyone's clothes feel so soft and pleasant to wear. 

But, do you know how fabric softeners work? Fabric softeners add a small layer of softening chemicals on our clothes. Can you imagine walking around with a layer of chemicals on your skin? Swap your Tide fabric softener for a safer  natural alternative; try the Attitude fabric softener. It gets an A on EWG and Tide fabric softener gets a F . 

Non-natural or organic fabric softeners contain softening chemicals called "quats" that can trigger asthma. Avoid fabric softener that contains fragrance; they can cause skin irritation. 

​Where to shop for this natural fabric softener alternative?
You can find the Attitude Mountain Essential fabric softener, the 35.5 oz for $23.61, at your local Wholefoods or on Amazon by clicking here.