The Rocca Sisters Blog

Let Spring Cleaning Come Naturally!

The weather hasn’t been ideal, so it’s easy to forget that we are well into the swing of the spring season. If you have been putting off your spring cleaning, we have a few tips on how you can make your home sparkle without the use of harsh chemicals that can do damage the environment as well as personal health.  Choosing from a wide array of eco-friendly cleaners on the market or simply making your own with household ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice is a great way to become a natural when it comes to spring cleaning!

The Bathroom:
Want to bring out a natural shine to your sinks, toilets, and tubs? Create a gentle scouring paste by mixing 4 tbsp baking soda with 1 tbsp water. Generously sprinkle either table salt or baking soda into the sink or tub and use the cut end of half a fresh lemon as a scrubby pad. Rinse with hot water and your ceramics will be gleaming! Undiluted lemon juice can also be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits.

The Kitchen:
Vinegar, a natural antibacterial, has a high acid content that makes it an effective alternative to caustic cleaners for the kitchen. Mix together 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new spray bottle and you have a natural solution that will clean stovetops, appliances, countertops (except marble), and floors. For stubborn stains, you can add a touch of baking soda to the mix.
To help remove finger marks from stainless steel appliances use a microfibre cloth or try a dab of baby oil on a clean cloth. For microwaves, put a few slices of fresh lemon in an uncovered bowl of water and cook on high for about three minutes. Grease and dirt should wipe away easily.

Windows:
Let the sunshine in by washing away winter’s grime. Fill a bucket with 25 per cent vinegar and 75 per cent warm water. Put on rubber gloves and soak an old cotton towel in the solution. Rub on windows, and then scrunch up some old newspaper to buff up a shine. If there are any streaks, simply finish off with a dry cloth.

Fabrics and Carpets:
Have a troublesome fabric stain? Dab white vinegar onto the stain followed by a mild soap solution such as all natural dishwashing liquid and water. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and blot with a dry towel. Salt can also be used to soak up fresh carpet stains such as red wine, coffee or pet stains. Simply pour salt on the wet stain, let dry, and then vacuum. Natural ingredients can not only get rid of stains, but they’ll also help eliminate odours from fabrics too!

A little elbow grease can go a long way in increasing your home’s value. A spotless house is the best way to communicate to potential buyers that you take very good care of your home. If you would like more tips on how to accomplish this as simply as possible, please call us at The Rocca Sisters Team office. We are always available to help you, your family and your friends increase the value of your most important asset.