Today is my deep cleaning day here at the farm, and it got me thinking about my fellow "clean living" steemians. My goal here on steemit is to share what I have learned along the way with others, and absorb as much knowledge from other individuals as I can. I know there are many of us here on a journey to learn how to do things ourselves...and we all have come along way.
But, do you remember what it was like in the beginning? When you decided that the harsh chemicals weren't a healthy option for you and your family...but now what? We have been trained as a society to think that we have to use these harsh chemicals to actually get something clean right? Wrong...so very wrong. All of this can be overwelming and frustrating to individuals just starting out.
So then our journey starts to find an alternative...there are healthier cleaners on the market, some with some hefty price tags, and the internet is full of tips and tricks. But do they work? Yes and no...
Some work great...and some just need to be thrown away.
The truth is you don't have to spend a ton of money on natural cleaners to have a clean home. A few simple, cheap ingredients combined in different ways will clean every room in your house, so don't get discouraged...
We clean with an Orange Vinegar Cleaner in our home that we make by simply soaking orange peels in vinegar. It works great on all surfaces and I am very happy with the results. But sadly... I have found it's match...
You see, our kitchen countertops are a white tile with white, unsealed grout...not sure what genius decided that was a good idea..but here we are. It absorbs EVERYTHING and ends up looking like this...
Gross, I know...sadly I cleaned it right before taking that photo. The good news is that there is a way to get that nasty grout sparkling white without bleach. Plus, you probably already have everything you need in your home already.
- Vinegar
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Baking Soda
- Scrubber Sponge
When Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide are combined they have a natural whitening effect. Simply spray or pour a bit of each all over your grout and let it set for 10-15 mins.
Then sprinkle your Baking Soda over the grout..
..and use your sponge to make sure your grout is covered with the mixture.
I usually let that set another 10 minutes and then go back with the tough side of the sponge and give it all a good scrub. Then just use your sponge to rinse the area with soap and water... And there you go...
It's white again!
This method will work for any grout. I use this in our bathroom and our tile floors.
So, if you are a newbie to clean living or someone who is just considering it... It truly is possible, and it doesn't have to be expensive. I hope this post has encouraged you to give it a try!
Thank you for reading,
Happy Homesteading!