Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Cleaning Favs



March is the first month of Spring and also the month of thorough home Cleaning. The two - spring and cleaning go hand in hand. To clean we need open windows and the warm weather that Spring can offer. So far, the weather hasn't disappointed.

I prefer cleaning agents that are cheap, simple, good for additional uses too. I like them in liquid and powder form, less in spray form.  My favorites  are:  white vinegar , lemon (both juice and peel), baking soda, and, for durer, larger surfaces, commercial Calinda  sanding powder. 

basic cleaning agents

I always have lemons in the kitchen, not only for culinary and cleaning uses, but also for a sore throat condition. I drink some undiluted lemon juice and it immediately clears up my aching throat.
The vinegar  has 5% acetic acid. It can be used in foods and as a folk medication (ear canal infection). I use it only in cleaning and as a relief from insect bites.

white vingar

Both the vinegar and Calinda powder (which can be bought at the store in an economical pack of three) are very effective, and from my experience, do not damage surfaces.


Calinda sanding powder

economical  3-pack Calinda

An essential cleaning tool for me is the toothbrush. It helps me reach tight spaces and corners. I use cheap toothbrushes that I buy  at the dollar store in packs of six. (Of course, I use several other 
kinds of brushes and  also pieces of cloth to assist me in my cleaning job.).


6-pack toothbrushes

Our Passover holiday starts at the end of the month, and that requires additional preparations; not just cleaning and renewing, but removing any speck of 'chametz' (leavened food). I don't belong to those who observe strictly. I do the essentials only, and even that takes a lot of time and effort.


Let's hope for a happy Spring and Passover!





32 comments:

  1. Good for you! We're in the middle of a 3-day snowstorm. We built a snow storm trooper today. (I'm having the grandkids!!!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Having the grandkids will help you ignore the snowstorm or make the best of it.
      Well, our weather is fine (no storms, snow, or rain), and thus activities such as spring cleaning
      can smoothly be carried out.

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  2. Thanks for the reminder!! Its time to clean for the month of springtime and Passover!! You are a great cleaner, using such natural and gentle ways and I can tell that in your hands they are effective!! I do clear out the chametz but not sure if I meet the strict standards, anyway definitely need to get started soon!! Inspired by yours to try the lemons and vinegar and toothbrushes. Happy spring cleaning!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. As far as possible, I'll always try to use natural and gentle ways in my cleaning. Sometimes, there's need for some extreme measure, but usually vinegar and sanding powder do the job.
      Happy spring cleaning to you too!

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  3. nice that you are already feeling spring in your counry:) Here is again colder and colder!

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    1. I know Ola; it's still very cold in Europe, USA, Canada, and other places on the globe. In this respect, we're lucky here with our weather. Hopefully, Spring is approaching your country and will be there at the end of this month - beginning of next one.

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  4. Autumn has commenced down this way...a good excuse for me to put off spring cleaning! :)

    My little lemon tree is presently loaded with fruit. Impatiently I'm waiting for it to ripen. I love lemons!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Your comment reminds me of the famous song "Lemon Tree" which has as refrain the following two lines:
      "Lemon tree, very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
      But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat".

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  5. I have those same toothbrushes! Weird, a world away and this is what we have in common. :)

    I am inspired by your cleaning. I try to keep up with it all year and don't usually do a big push in the Spring like this, but just yesterday I saw how much dust is on the dresser and I am overwhelmed.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. It's a small world, Sandi!

      One of the reasons that dust accumulates at my place, is the fact that windows are open most of the time and the air brings in a lot of dust from construction sites in the various neighborhoods.

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  6. While I am getting alot of home stuff done, we have so much snow and he melting and mud will go wel inot April, so I look to April as my good spring cleaning month. I can't wait to be able to get to my windows and make them shine, though I've been doing inside glass this week. You have motivated me to keep on with my efforts so once we really get spring, I can put the outside tasks to right.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. April is fine. In Ireland there's a National Spring Clean which takes place during the whole month of April, every year.

      In March, there are a lot of countries where it's still too cold to get the house 'in shape'.

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  7. I really appreciate the fact that you use all natural cleaning products, Duta. I've used lemon and vinegar for myself as home remedies, as lemon has great health benefits. That's smart to get the cheap toothbrushes in bulk for cleaning. I'm impressed with your working skills to have a nice and clean home, Duta. It inspires me to do the same.

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your appreciation.
      Lemon and vinegar have indeed an array of uses and benefits. People spend a lot of money on expensive stuff when the most efficient and cheap is right under our nose.

      Delete
  8. Vinegar really is super powerful! I've used a natural German bathroom cleaning liquid based on apple vinegar for ten years now and it is spotless.
    And I cannot live without a lemon a day... in my belly :)

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    1. I totally agree with you about vinegar. As for lemons,we all know the proverbial phrase that encourages optimism: 'when life gives you lemons, make a lemonade'.

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  9. I agree, something about Spring makes us want to clean! I love vinegar, perfect affordable cleaner. Toothbrushes should help tremendously

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Spring cleaning is a 'wake up' from the cold, dark, less active winter. It has become a ritual, which in some cultures dates back to ancient times.
      Yes, vinegar and toothbrushes are both affordable and efficient.

      Delete
  10. No season change.
    I have hot weather every now and then.
    But cleaning is inevitable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I'm not mistaken, in your country there are no 4 seasons, but mostly sunny/ hot days and/or rainy days.
      In any case, people will find the right time to carry out the task of home cleaning.

      Delete
  11. I am using many of the same cleaning products that you mentioned in this post, Duta, and not only are they safer but also far less costly then specifically labeled cleaning products sold in stores. Vinegar and lemons are among my favorites to use in the kitchen; however, the vinegar has a stronger odor so a friend has suggested that adding some lemon oil may help. Cleaning is not a favorite activity, but a necessity and glad when its done, like laundry.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I'm so used to it that I don't feel the odor; it's the cheapest brand of vinegar, so perhaps it doesn't have a strong odor, but it's quite efficient.

      Delete
  12. I wish I didn't have an allergy to citrus. I would eat lemons every day. I get a bad headache even if I use lemon body lotion. But I use natural cleaners too and lemon is a must for that. Those toothbrushes get into the smallest spaces! Happy spring cleaning.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Allergy to lemons - that's a pity as lemons have several uses and benefits. But, there's a substitute to everything; one just has to try and find it.

      Delete
  13. Love the smell of lemons and I do use them but vinegar strong smell is not a favorite. I too like to make up cleaners as the store ones are so strong. I had strep throat with the flu in January and I used honey, lemon and coconut oil and within 2 days I could swallow again. I clean the kitchen tile with water and vinegar solution. Peace

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Two days with a sore throat, not being able to swallow - is a lot of time. The undiluted squeezed lemon juice has immediate effect.

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  14. i LOVE spring cleaning time! i'm already eying my curtains and wondering if its too early to wash them all! :D happy cleaning!

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    1. I'm constantly trying to simplify my life, make it easier, so curtains' washing and hanging is not for me anymore. So, I use window pane covers that allow light but no transparency, and can come in beautiful, delicate patterns. For example, silk paper.

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  15. Spring is wonderful, Duta, and glad it's good weather for you there! It's really chilly here today, 30 degrees, but very windy! I spent last week doing spring cleaning, cleaned everything in the kitchen good, and the rest of the house too, cleaning picture frames, etc. A solution of vinegar and water works perfectly, leaves no streaks!
    I read somewhere years ago, if you want a quick cleaning fix, wash all the picture frames and mirrors, they sparkle and shine, and make everything look clean. I like lemon juice too! Here's to Happy Spring and Passover! Take care

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks for the tip on mirrors and picture frames.
      Hope your weather gets better and you really enjoy your Spring.

      Delete
  16. We've finally got some rain in our part of California so hopefully it will settle down some of the dust that seems to just be everywhere.

    I too love the toothbrush for getting into those tight corners. Great information DUTA! Happy Passover and Happy Spring!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. My windows are open almost all year round, so you can imagine the amount of dust that can accumulate in places, especially that there's often some form of demolition/construction going on in the near or far vicinity.
      Glad California's got some rain. Happy Spring to you, too!

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