Thursday, April 27, 2017

Spring Cleaning

I officially got the itch to start my spring cleaning a few weeks ago. We currently have beautiful weather which makes for the perfect excuse to open the windows and let the fresh spring air fill our house. I always love the beginning of a new season as it not only makes me excited for all things new, but it sparks the motivation deep down inside me and each season is different. Summer makes me excited for water balloon fights, homemade ice cream, toes in the sand and late nights with Mike; autumn always gives me all the feels with pumpkin spice, crunchy leaves under my feet, cozy blankets and cool nights by the fire pit; winter sparks my baking addiction, arts and crafts for the cold days, layers of warm clothes and hot bowls of soup. Spring is making all things new again, like a fresh start for the year. I love decluttering and doing a deep clean throughout each room in the house. For me it’s a time to simplify.

One thing I’ve really come to simplify in our home over the last few years is our cleaning product stash. I enjoy using natural ingredients for my cleaning products rather than harsh chemicals for a couple different reasons. First of all, it’s much safer for my kids if they so happen to stumble into something. I know they’re going to be okay if they get into the white vinegar or the baking soda as opposed to bleach or a multi-purpose harsh chemical spray.  Natural ingredients are also much better for the health of our home and our family. I hate spraying chemicals and then find myself coughing because it has filled the air and I’m now inhaling it. How can that possibly be good for anyone? Instead, I mix up my own cleaners using household ingredients and essential oils. Not only is it a healthier option, but they smell good as well.

For our showers and tubs I’ve tried everything over the years and I always get the best results using our simple shower spray with blue dish soap and vinegar. For me, it makes cleaning a breeze! We have removable shower heads in all our showers which makes it even easier for rinsing everything down in one easy step!

Shower + Tub Spray
1 part Dawn Blue Dish Soap
1 part White Vinegar
20 drops Lemon essential oil

Pour soap and vinegar into 16 oz spray bottle and shake gently to mix. Spray on bathtub and shower walls + floors. Lightly scrub and let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse. This makes quite a bit so don’t feel you have to use all of it to clean one shower.


I usually always have my Thieves cleaner on hand, but when I don’t this is the next best thing! Simple and definitely gets the job done!

All-Purpose Spray
2 cups water
1/2 White Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
20 drops Essential Oil (lemon, purification, lemongrass OR thieves)

Pour water + vinegar into spray bottle. Add baking soda + essential oil and shake to mix. 


This little concoction is our little miracle worker. We have a glass stovetop which easily gets dirty every time we cook. Mixing our Thieves Household cleaner with a little baking soda removes all the burnt over spill from our pots and pans. It’s also great for cleaning inside the oven. I use my Norwex cloth to help scrub and wipe away all the mess.

Countertop Scrub
1 capful Young Living Thieves Household Cleaner
1/4 cup Baking Soda
4 drops Essential Oil

In a small bowl add baking soda, thieves cleaner and essential oil. Mix into a paste and scrub on countertops, stovetop and sink to clean. Wipe away with a warm damp cloth. 


When mixing homemade cleaners, be sure to label all the bottles. Using a handy label maker like this or this works well and the labels seem to stand up well to water. I also love making our bottles look pretty with Washi Tape! There are so many colors + patterns the possibilities are endless. Plus it’s always fun to swap them out for new seasons. A few of our other favorite products include...

Young Living Thieves Household Cleaner
This is a concentrate of 30:1 and lasts for a long time. I use these glass bottles and add half a capful to my bottle and fill the rest with warm water. I keep this on hand and use it to clean my kitchen countertops, high chairs, floors, and bathrooms. It’s also an awesome stain remover for carpet!!!


Norwex Mop + Cloth + Window Cloth
I purchased these three items last spring when getting ready for my deep clean and they’ve become absolute necessities and a game changer in our home. I love the double sided mop system and it’s replaced my all my Swiffer products. The mop has a dry side for collecting crumbs and a wet side for hard core mopping.  Not only does it make cleaning easy, it makes it fast. I can clean my house in record time without ever feeling like I’m cutting corners.
The Norwex Envior-cloth only needs hot water and I use it to clean my appliances, doors and base boards. I even use it to get stains out of my white sofas and velvet pillows. You can find the mop, cloth and window cloth here.

If interested in any Young Living products I use and mentioned, please email me and I’d be happy to help you get started with using essential oils products! Also, follow my Wild + Grape page on Instagram and Facebook Page for recipes and ideas of using natural products to create a healthier home!

Happy Cleaning!
XO


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