“Guide to Natural Cleaning”

What You Need: With a few simple recipes, you can save money and get a greener cleaning routine. You may already have many ingredients. A basic natural cleaning toolkit includes white vinegar, baking soda, borax, citrus fruit, and empty spray bottles. You may also want hydrogen peroxide, cornstarch, castile soap, tea tree oil, and other essential oils for scent. Add microfiber cloths or old cotton T-shirts instead of paper towels for less waste.

White Vinegar: Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and has many uses in home cleaning. Since it’s acidic, it’s great for getting rid of gummy buildup, rust, and hard water stains. Try using vinegar to remove buildup from your coffee pot. You can use lemon juice the same way as vinegar, but since it goes bad quickly, you can’t store cleaners made with lemon juice for more than a few days.

Baking Soda: Baking soda absorbs odors in the air and works well for many cleaning tasks. Use it in litter boxes, garbage cans, and diaper pails to keep the stink down. Sprinkle it on a damp cloth to use as a gentle surface cleaner on counters, sinks, ovens, stoves, and tubs. Find baking soda in the baking aisle of your grocery store.

Borax: Borax, or sodium borate, is similar to baking soda, but stronger. It’s a natural bleach and is good for removing dirt and stains from laundry and surfaces. Although it’s natural, borax could irritate your skin, eyes, or breathing, so use it with caution, and keep it away from children and pets. Find it in your store’s laundry section.

Mixing Your Own Cleaners: When making your own cleaning mixtures, use spray bottles or containers that you won’t confuse with food containers. Label them right away. Hot water will clean better than cold, so in most cases, fresh-made cleaners with hot water will work the best. You may need to scrub a little harder or let cleaning mixtures sit a little longer than you would with store-bought cleaners.

Clean or Disinfect? For most cleaning around the house, the goal is to remove germs and dirt. All of the following homemade natural cleaners will do that. Certain natural cleaners can also disinfect, or kill germs, but you must make them fresh. If stored, they still will clean, but they won’t disinfect as well.

All-Purpose Cleaner: For mild cleaning, mix 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 4 to 8 cups hot water in a spray bottle. For a stronger solution, use 2 tablespoons borax, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 2 cups hot water. Add a few drops of essential oil to any mixture to give it a fresh scent.

Glass and Mirror Cleaner: Combine 3 tablespoons vinegar with 4 cups water for a mild cleaner. Make it stronger by using half vinegar and half water; or 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, and 4 cups warm water. Shake to dissolve the cornstarch before spraying. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth, then do a final wipe with a dry cloth to avoid streaks.

Kitchen Sanitizer: Soap and warm water will clean dirt from surfaces in the kitchen, but if you want to sanitize to kill harmful germs like salmonella and E. coli, you’ll need to use hot vinegar or hydrogen peroxide and let it sit on the surface for at least 1 minute. Here’s how: Heat 1/2 cup white vinegar (5%) or hydrogen peroxide (3%) to 150 F, put the mixture into an empty spray bottle, and spray it onto surfaces. Let it sit for 1 minute, then wipe dry.

Another Kitchen Sanitizer: Here’s a different way to sanitize surfaces: Combine 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup club soda, and 2 drops tea tree oil. Spray it onto surfaces and wipe clean. This mixture works to disinfect only if it’s made fresh. Even 24 hours later, it doesn’t kill as many germs.

Freshen Up the Garbage Disposal: If your garbage disposal is starting to smell, run it with some ice and a squeezed orange, lemon, or lime. The ice will help sharpen the blade, and the citrus peels will give off a fresh scent.

Microwave Cleaner: To get rid of food odors or hardened food splatters in the microwave, mix 6 tablespoons baking soda or 1/2 cup lemon juice with 1 cup water in a microwave-safe glass container. Microwave the mixture until it boils, then leave it inside with the door closed until it cools. The steam will loosen the grime and make it easy to wipe down the inside of the microwave.

Clean Your Drains: To prevent or clear out backups in your drains, dump 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes, then uncover and pour in 8 cups boiling water. You could also use 1/2 cup borax followed by 8 cups boiling water. For a bad clog, use a plumber’s snake tool with boiling water.

Scrub the Toilet: For light cleaning, mix 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 cup vinegar and pour it into the toilet bowl. Let it sit for 3 to 30 minutes, scrub with a toilet brush, and flush. Scrub with 1/2 cup borax mixed with 1 gallon hot water to get out tougher stains. For heavy-duty cleaning, sprinkle 1 cup borax around the basin and spray with 1/2 cup vinegar. Let it sit overnight, then scrub and flush.

Tackle Mildew in the Shower: Put 1/2 cup borax and 1/2 cup vinegar into a spray bottle and fill it with hot water, then spray it in the shower or bathtub and scrub. For a daily spray to prevent mold in the shower, mix 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol with 1 cup water. Shake it up, and spray it on without rinsing.

Scrub the Tub and Tile: Use a sponge to wipe the surface with vinegar, then sprinkle baking soda or non-iodized salt, scrub with a damp sponge, and rinse well with water. For another option, combine 1 2/3 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup castile soap (liquid), and 1/2 cup water. Add 2 tablespoons vinegar and use the mixture to scrub the bathtub or tile area.

Don’t Mix These: Although vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are great sanitizers on their own, never combine the two in a container. This creates a chemical called peracetic acid, which can burn your skin and is dangerous to breathe in. The same goes for ammonia and bleach -- mixing them or using them in the same space can create toxic fumes.

Reviewed by: Nayana Ambardekar, MD on April 23, 2019

Sources:

Utah State University Extension: “Home Cleaning Chemistry.”
University of Arkansas Extension: “Clean and Green.”
CDC: “How to Clean and Disinfect Schools to Help Slow the Spread of Flu.”
Journal of Applied Microbiology: “The effectiveness of three home products in cleaning and disinfection of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli on home environmental surfaces.”
West Virginia University Extension Service: “Homemade Cleaning Products.”
The Ohio State University Extension: “Cleaning and Sanitizing the Kitchen Using Inexpensive Household Food-Safe Products.”
Journal of Food Protection: “Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella typhimurium with compounds available in households.”
University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension: “Save Time Microwave It!”
Winnebago County University of Wisconsin Extension: “Green Cleaning 2016.”
U.S. Department of Agriculture: “Peracetic Acid.”
U.S. National Library of Medicine PubChem: “Peracetic Acid.”

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“How Often Should You Clean This?”

Check the Chore Schedule: Wondering if your housekeeping is up to par? When is it time to replace certain items? Do you clean your cleaning tools? We've got advice on some common and some not-so-obvious places and things to take care of throughout your home to help keep it healthy.

Smartphone: Daily - You touch your phone countless times a day. And the fingerprints you leave on the screen are a grease trap for gunk and germs. Get in the habit of wiping it clean at least once a day. Studies show alcohol is best for killing bacteria, but check with your device's manufacturer to see what it recommends to avoid damage. Clean the case, too!

Kitchen Counters: Daily - The problem with dirty counters isn't as much about what you can see as what you can't. Wiping down and sanitizing kitchen surfaces after each time you use them ensures stray germs from last night's dinner prep don't end up in your next sandwich.

Dishwasher: Monthly - Over time, buildup in your machine can keep your dishes from getting the cleaning they need and deserve. Once a month, toss in a cup of baking soda on the bottom and set 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the top rack; then run a regular cycle.

Refrigerator: Quarterly - Funky forgotten leftovers in the back of your fridge can leave behind mold spores after you've tossed them. To keep germs at bay, empty your refrigerator every 3-4 months, and clean the shelves and walls with a tablespoon of baking soda dissolved in a quart of water. Rinse and let dry before replacing food.

Kitchen Floor: Weekly - If you've got kids, chances are you'll need to sweep up after every meal. But unless there's a sticky spill, the mop and bucket can go a week between rounds.

Carpets: Weekly - Vacuum large carpets and toss small area rugs and floor mats in the wash once a week. Keeping your floor coverings clean is key for cutting back on allergy triggers in your home.

Furniture: Monthly - Spills should be spot-cleaned right away, but for upholstery upkeep, once-a-month vacuuming across the cushions and into nooks and crannies should do. Steam cleaning once a year or so can also extend the life of your furniture and keep you sitting pretty.

Knickknacks and Stuff: Weekly - Anywhere dust settles, needs a regular swipe with a dust-grabber like microfiber cloth or a damp soft rag: bookshelves, trinkets, picture frames, lamp bases, mirrors, side tables -- you get the idea.

TV Remote: Weekly - Take the batteries out first! Then use cotton swabs dipped in mild soapy water to get off sticky, oily fingerprints and crud from around the buttons. Wipe down the whole thing with a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water to kill bacteria. Make sure the battery compartment is dry before you put the power back in.

Ceiling Fans: Quarterly - These whirring dust collectors also gather grease when they're in the kitchen. You can give them a wipe whenever you notice buildup, but use a damp cloth and all-purpose cleaner to clean the blades and body well every few months.

Window Treatments: Quarterly - Hit up your blinds and shutters during your weekly dusting, but tackle long-standing grime on the slats every 3-4 months with warm, soapy water. Take down curtains once each season, and run them through the washing machine.

Toilets: Daily - The more action your porcelain throne sees in a day, the more reason to squirt your cleaner of choice into the bowl and give it a swish with a long-handled brush. Save the deeper scrub-down for your weekly round-up.

Bath Towels: Every Few Uses - Wash your towel or grab a new one after three or four normal showers, more often if you work out a lot. Hang up damp towels when you're done so they can air out and not give mildew, mold, and bacteria a dark, damp place to grow.

Shower Curtain: Monthly - A plastic curtain, or the plastic liner for a cloth curtain, should get a bath with warm water and baking soda once a month to remove soap scum and prevent mildew. You may be able to stretch this to once a quarter if your shower doesn't get a lot of use. Spraying it with a cleaner after every shower and wiping it down weekly when you clean the bathroom will also help.

Toothbrush: Quarterly - Beyond a few months, the bristles get too worn to work as well as they should. If you see fraying before then, that's a sign to switch.

Razor Blades: 5-7 Uses - Did you know a dull blade causes more cuts and irritation than a sharp one? Start with a new blade every week or so, if you're shaving daily, to stay (and look) sharp.

Makeup Brushes: Weekly and Monthly - Applicators like sponges and brushes can be a breeding ground for bacteria. They collect dirt, dust, and anything else floating through the air as well as on your skin. Wash brushes for wet makeup once a week; dry makeup brushes, monthly. Mild soap and warm water followed by an overnight drying session will take you from grime to glam.

Bras: Every Few Uses - Whether you give them "off days" to regain their shape and elasticity, or go for multiple wears in a row, it's best to give bras a good wash after you've worn them about three times. But if you've been sweating, don't wait that long.

Sheets: Weekly - The rule of thumb is to wash bed linens once a week in water hot enough to kill bacteria (around 140 F), and tumble dry. Your shut-eye habits should determine your timeline. For example, pets, night sweats, and midnight snacks in bed mean you'll need to change them sooner. Alternating between two sets of sheets can make it easier to keep up.

Pillows: 2-4 Times a Year - Throw your pillows (and your throw pillows) in the wash on hot every 3-6 months to kill bacteria and keep them fresh. Same goes for your comforter or duvet. If it's too big to fit in your machine at home, take it to a laundromat with extra-large commercial-size washers, or have it professionally cleaned.

Mattress: Twice a Year - Unless it's brand new, your mattress is probably home for millions of dust mites. A good semiannual vacuuming can help suck up those tiny critters, as well as the dead skin cells you've been shedding that keep them well-fed. 

Washing Machine: Quarterly - Any appliance that uses water is at risk for mold and mildew. Wipe down the door and rubber gasket of a front loader after every wash load. Give your machine a deeper cleaning every 3-4 months by adding 1 cup of bleach and running a hot cycle (sans clothes) to sanitize.

Humidifier: Every 3 Days - When your humidifier is cranking out moisture nonstop, replace the water daily. Clean it with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, or the disinfectant the manufacturer recommends, every 3 days to prevent mineral deposits and filmy buildup. Change the filter regularly, according to the instructions.

Air Filters: Monthly - Replace the small particle filters in central heating and cooling systems once a month to keep their air purifying powers up to snuff. Same goes for the filters of in-room air conditioners.

Air Ducts: As Needed - If everyone in your house is healthy, you don't have to clean ducts regularly. There's no proof that it prevents problems, and done incorrectly, it could cause them. Dirt inside usually sticks and stays put. Vacuum or take off and clean grates when you notice normal dusty buildup. However, if you have mold, rodents, or insects, or you can see stuff blowing out of your vents, it's time to do something.

Fireplace: Yearly - Avoid the toxic trouble of carbon monoxide, fumes, and soot by having your chimney inspected annually. A certified chimney sweep can check for problems and clean out any buildup.

Reviewed by: Nayana Ambardekar, MD on September 06, 2019

Sources:

TeensHealth: "Tips for Taking Care of Your Skin."
Journal of Nursing: "Smartphones, Callin All Germs."
American Council on Science and Health: "Household Items You Never Clean, But Should," "Sleeping With The Enemy: The Dirty Side of Your Mattress."
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: "Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous?"
Consumer Reports: "A Cleaning Schedule You Can Stick To," "How to Clean All the Fans In Your House," "How Often to Wash Your Sheets, Towels, and Clothes," "How to Clean a Mattress," "How to Clean Your Washing Machine."
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: "Cleaning Tips For Allergy and Asthma Sufferers."
The Rooms Chronicle: "Remembering to clean those often-missed spots in guestrooms."
How To Clean Stuff: "How to Clean a Remote Control."
Merry Maids: "Plastic Problems: Can You Wash Your Shower Curtains."
American Dental Association: "Toothbrush Care: Cleaning, Storing and Replacement."
American Academy of Dermatology: "Shaving," "How to Shave."
Cleveland Clinic: "Think Makeup Makes You Break Out? It Might Be Dirty Brushes."
Infection Ecology & Epidemiology: "Level of decontamination after washing textiles at 60°C or 70°C followed by tumble drying."
Mayo Clinic: "Humidifiers: Air moisture eases skin, breathing symptoms."
EPA: "Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?"
Chimney Safety Institute of America: "Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Hazards."

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.