Natural Cleaning: Lemon Dusting Cloths

Today I am going to share my super easy, and frugal, Lemon Dusting Cloths recipe. I really do hate to use Pledge. I hate the smell of it. I hate the way it cleans. I just all around don't like it. Plus, after reading the back of the can, which has at least three or four warnings plus the list of chemicals in it, I decided to find a more natural option. I was thrilled when I found this post for Lemon Dust Cloths at Growing Home.

So here is the recipe...(I love recipes that I already have everything to make it in my pantry!)

1 Cup Vinegar
1 Cup Water
1 tsp Olive Oil
1 Lemon Rind
2-3 Microfiber Cloths
Jar with a lid

Directions: Mix the vinegar, water, and oil, in a bowl. Soak your microfiber cloths in the solution, squeeze out excess water, and place in the jar with lemon rinds wrapped around.

I usually make my cloths up in the morning some time and let them set till the afternoon when I am ready to dust. I like to let them sit for a while so they take on that wonderful lemon smell rather, than a strong vinegar smell.

Microfiber cloths are wonderful to use since they are great at trapping dirt and dust. You can pick up a pack of three, wash cloth size, at the Dollar Tree. The olive oil and lemon are wonderful at polishing furniture, wood baseboards and door frames, and even fan blades.

Give it a try! I have been thrilled with the results and the wonderful fresh lemon smell!


Update: I completely forgot to add...don't throw your lemon rinds away after you are done with your cloths! Leave them in your empty jar and add white vinegar, filling it to the top. Screw the lid back on and allow to set for about a week. The result will be lemon infused vinegar which you can then use for your Kitchen & Floor Cleaner and Bathroom Cleaner!

Linking to Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Raising Homemakers, Healthy 2Day Wednesdays, Teach Me Tuesday, and Tiny Tip Tuesday, Living Green

Natural and Frugal Bathroom Cleaning

Clorox Wipes, Windex, Scrubbing Bubbles, Tilex, Pine Sol, Lysol, and Clorox Toilet Bowl cleaner. This is just a small list of all the cleaners we are made to believe we need in order to have a clean and sanitary bathroom. If you don't use every cleaner above then you have a nasty and germ filled bathroom. This is what I believed. I loved using Clorox wipes and Lysol. It killed the germs. Clorox Toilet Bowl cleaner and scrubbing bubbles were toilet necessities! Windex...well that is a no brainer...you get a streak free shine! Mop the floor with Pine Sol and spray the room with febreeze. Squeaky clean and smell good bathroom!

While all of those cleaners do kill germs, they also contain a ton of chemicals. We all know this, yet we still love to use them. I know I did. I just figured all of the talk about chemicals in our cleaners was just a bunch of hype. It doesn't really affect my health that much. Right?

But...did you know that...

The American Lung Association warns that "Some products release dangerous chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Other harmful ingredients include ammonia and bleach. Even natural fragrances such as citrus can react to produce dangerous pollutants indoors. VOCs and other chemicals released when using cleaning supplies contribute to chronic respiratory problems, allergic reactions and headaches ".

The Organic Consumers Association says "Cleaning ingredients vary in the type of health hazard they pose. Some cause acute, or immediate, hazards such as skin or respiratory irritation, watery eyes, or chemical burns, while others are associated with chronic, or long-term, effects such as cancer."

 If you have little ones at home this can be concerning. Think about if one of your little one's get a hold of that bottle of cleaner. That thought alone was enough to make me throw them out. 

Money was another big reason I decided to switch. Buying all of those cleaners, to achieve my sanitary bathroom, was costing a lot! 

Here is what they usually cost...

Clorox Wipes 150 ct. - $7.74

Windex- $2.87

Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner- $3.76

Pine Sol- $2.97

Scrubbing Bubbles- $2.47

Tilex- $3.78

Febreeze- $4.97

For a grand total of $28.49! That much to clean a bathroom?! Oh..and don't forget the cost for paper towels to wipe it all down. Even if you do decide to go with the cleaners that are "green" you are going to be paying just as much, if not more!

Okay enough of the why you should ditch those expensive, chemical laden cleaners. What do you do instead? I still want a clean, sanitary, and pleasant smelling bathroom!

Remember the kitchen and floor cleaner I told you about? Grab that, some baking soda, and either your un-paper towels or even better a mircofiber cloth.

To start out, I usually spray down the whole toilet (inside included) with my lemon vinegar solution and sprinkle baking soda on the inside of the toilet. Let that set while you clean the rest.

I mentioned in my first post on getting started with natural cleaners that I eventually wanted to make my own "Windex". I finally figured out the perfect recipe! It is a little complicated to make and contains a lot of ingredients. Ready....grab your lemon vinegar solution and spray it on your mirror. Wipe with a clean microfiber cloth. That is it. Complicated right. ;-)  It is amazing all the things water and vinegar can do!  (Vinegar Tips.com actually shares 1001 ways to use vinegar!)

I do suggest using a microfiber cloth to clean you mirror. It removes lint and works wonderfully. You can buy a pack of 3 at the Dollar Tree! When you first spray this on your mirror and start wiping, don't panic, it may look like it is starting to streak. Be patient, let it dry all the way, and you will have a clean and streak free mirror!

Then I spray down my sink, counter tops and faucet and wipe clean with the same microfiber cloth. Wipe the toilet clean, scrub the toilet with a brush, spray and wipe down the shower with the water and vinegar solution. Finish with spraying the floor and mopping it clean. 

You now have a sparkly clean, fresh smelling, and sanitary bathroom using only two cleaners! Amazing! I love to clean my bathroom this way. It smells wonderful, looks great, and I don't have to worry about harmful chemicals!

What does it cost to clean this way? Literally pennies!

Have you already made the switch to more natural cleaners? Any recipes you love to use in your bathroom?

Linking to Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways