SingaporeMotherhood | Parenting
January 2015
Spring Cleaning 101: Get Your Home Spiffy The Natural Way!
The Lunar New Year will be here before you know it, and that means spring cleaning will be on the to-do list for many families. (we hear your groans!) Thank God for the existence of natural cleaning remedies which happen to be inexpensive as well! Scotch-Brite™, 3M’s trademarked brand, has recently launched its newest range of cleaning products which guarantee maximum satisfaction with minimal effort. Start incorporating them into your chemical-free cleaning routine and you’ll soon be swearing by their efficiency! Here are 5 simple eco-friendly tips to get your home squeaky clean before the Lunar New Year. They are equally useful for those of you who are working mothers who desire satisfactory cleaning routines which do not compromise on the health and safety of your family!
[banner][/banner]
1. For Dust-Free Floors & Surfaces
Vinegar is not meant to be restricted to the kitchen alone; it works wonders on floors too! To clean and polish linoleum floors, mix a cup of vinegar and a few drops of baby oil with about four litres of warm water. Ensure that the mop is squeezed till it is just damp. For wooden floors and surfaces, try mixing one teaspoon of baking soda into four litres of hot water for spotless floors. Should the floors of your home be furnished with ceramic tiles, there’s a solution for that too – combine one cup of white vinegar with four litres of water, wipe and then rinse with clear water. If you simply fancy a quick wipe-down on stray bits of dust and dirt, you might want to invest in the Scotch-Brite™ Lint Roller. It is also an ideal companion for pet owners who find themselves having to frequently get rid of pet hairs from surfaces like floors, cabinet tops and sofas. There won’t be a need to chide poor Fluffy anymore!
2. For The Kitchen
When life gives you lemons… make sure to use them in the kitchen! This humble fruit makes cleaning up your kitchen a breeze! Use a Scotch-Brite™ Kitchen Cloth with some lemon juice to get rid of unpleasant odours and stubborn grease stains. It also leaves behind a clean, citrusy fragrance when you’re done! Essential flavours to Asian foods like garlic and onions can leave a pungent odour lingering on chopping boards. Just rub leftover lemons over the boards and allow them to sit for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing with a sponge. It will leave them sanitary and smelling pleasant!
Ever found yourself being extremely vexed over the slightest of oil spills on the countertop of your kitchen? A wet brush and a dab of baking soda are the answers to your predicaments! Simply scrub the greasy area with the cleaning marvel that is baking soda, and say hello to your good-as-new countertop!
3. For Stains
Water is a crucial component of every cleaning strategy, but did you know that different types of water work best for different kinds of stain removal? Hot water is fantastic for removing tannin-based stains, such as coffee, wine, juices, grease and oil while cold water is great for protein stains, like milk, eggs or blood. For families with pets, carbonated water is a must because it aids in slowing down the discolouration of pet pee (and also red wine) on fabrics. The effervescence lifts the stain for simpler removal. The solid form of water has its perks as well; ice can harden soft stains such as candle wax droplets to facilitate easier removal from surfaces and fabrics.
4. For Windows
It is an age-old notion that newspapers are best for cleaning windows to crystal clear perfection. This method does hold some truth as the texture of newspapers is similar to paper towels, making them absorbent for cleaning fluid and eliminating dirt. Tackle your window cleaning with a mixture of two teaspoons of white vinegar and one litre of warm water. Only use crumpled black and white newspapers to clean windows, not the coloured ones. Remember not to embark on window cleaning if the sun is shining on them as the streaks will show upon drying.
5. For The Toilets
Like it or not, you can’t possibly neglect this area of the home! Add a quarter of a cup of baking soda to a cup of vinegar and you’ve got the most potent toilet bowl cleaning solution. Allow it to set for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. In the shower, use vinegar to disinfect and sanitise. Fill a plastic bag with vinegar solution and tie it around the shower head, completely immersing the nozzle. Leave it overnight to slay germs and remove it in the morning when you jump in for your shower! Vinegar can also be used on the shower floor tiles together with the Scotch-Brite™ No-Scratch Scrub to remove shampoo and soap scum for clean and non-slippery floors.
3M™ Scotch-Brite™ products are available at all authorised retailers such as Home-Fix DIY, Self-Fix DIY, FairPrice Xtra and Giant.
All content from this article, including images, cannot be reproduced without credits or written permission from SingaporeMotherhood.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram for the latest article and promotion updates.
