Non-Toxic Cleaning

I started my non-toxic cleaning venture about a year ago. After thinking about it, I mean really thinking about it, I decided that it wasn't a very good idea to clean my sons toys/highchair/anything with 409, bleach, lysol, or any other toxic cleaner. The kid was putting everything in his mouth, so it seemed really gross to let him chew on something that I had recently doused in chemical cleaners.

So my BIG (lol) project last June was to make my own cleaner. It was a lot of work (sarcasm). I had to buy a spray bottle:

I had to buy some vinegar:

Mine is always an off brand, about $2 a gallon.

I mixed it half and half with tap water:

Then to make it smell not so vinegary, I added vanilla extract, but I soon realized that it took a lot, and it turned the cleaner brown. Now I use almond extract. It takes a lot less, and is clear.

Again, always an off brand.

 

 

 

 

In just a few simple steps I changed my life! I don't mean to be so dramatic, but if you know me you know that I am a CLEAN FREAK!!! So to have a cleaner that I absolutely love, can make myself (for much, much cheaper than buying), and can use on everything, it is HUGE. I never feel guilty about cleaning anything in our house. I don't feel like I am going to die from the fumes when I clean, and, this is the best part, it is completely safe. If my son were to lick the table before I got the paper towel to wipe it up, it would be ok. If he climbed the kitchen counter and got the spray bottle out of the basket and poured it all over his body, it would be ok. 

 

I clean my bathrooms, my kitchen, my table, toys, kitchen and bathroom floors, mirrors, windows, EVERYTHING with this stuff. 

 

The only downside is that I can't use the "toxic fumes" excuse to have my husband clean like I did during my last pregnancy. Healthy living comes at a cost I suppose :).

 

I have heard some people say that they use essential oils to scent their cleaner, I'd like to find a citrusy smell, but I haven't really looked hard enough to try anything new yet. 

 

My next "big" project will be to make my own furniture polish. . .

Being productive

I don't think I've ever been as productive as I was yesterday. My first day on Spring Break with my husband at work and I went nuts. I scoured the house cleaning, organizing, and just tiding up. We recently did Spring cleaning, so the house wasn't filthy, but it definitely needed a touch up. I also did about seven loads of laundry, which is a big deal for me. Ever since I started going to college every day (in August) my husband has been stuck with all those little extra duties when he gets off work. He was amazed when he came home from work to find our house spotless, and smelling like Spring as the windows were open, and to have all the laundry clean and folded. Did I mention that I had dinner on the table before he could complain about being hungry???

Yes, I think being a Stay-At-Home-Mom is going to agree nicely with me.

Have I mentioned that in two months and one day I graduate from college, which means I really will be a SAHM??

I can almost taste the freedom!