Considering the current global health pandemic (is it bad that I’ve written enough posts about COVID-19 to warrant it’s own digi-folder?), I think it suffice to say that this is a time of utmost cleanliness. I don’t know about you guys, but we’ve found ourselves cleaning more frequently and I, in particular, have been under a spell of continuous organization that one could argue seems borderline unhealthy.
So I wonder … have the skin on your hands been rubbed raw yet? Dried out? Cracked under pressure, scorched by warm water, and dehydrated by suds and soap? For at-home workers, hasn’t this become the ultimate distraction, getting up every few minutes to clean after touching a pen?
Have you completed a bout of spring cleaning, or have you forgotten? One which resulted in a reorganization of the pantry, de-cluttering of closets, and tidying the messes?
With extra time to twiddle my thumbs, I’ve also kept up with wiping down surfaces, re-filling the humidifier and vacuuming the floors. Everything kept to their squeaky clean selves.
Which brings me to the matter that I had originally intended to write – All Purpose Cleaners.
More specifically, All Purpose Cleaners of the less toxic, zero-waste variety that is homemade AND pretty to look at. Not possible, you say. Well, I beg to differ.
There will be some of you who protest against my barbaric suggestions of DIY All-Purpose cleaners, arguing that my versions are devoid of all the chemicals made for cleanliness. And while some of you may be non-believers in the efficiency of make-it-yourself products, especially during a time of global pandemic, can I interest you in a little wariness over the hazards of these cleaners’ unknown ingredients on your overall health and of those you love?
The rows of cleaning products presented to us in stores are quite seizure-inducing. Labeled with bright colors and big text, it’s a wonder why I have a strong avoidance to the stuff. In the interest of simplifying our lives, the solution (see what I did there?) lies in choosing less ingredients rather than more. Sticking with household items that already belie our pantries and shelves, such as baking soda and vinegar, is more aligned with my minimalist tendencies. I’m not even touting long, complicated recipes that require a mixology degree, here. I’m referring to quick fix-it-yourself formulas that we can all have in our arsenals in order to come up with cleaning solutions faster than you can get-in-you-car-to-go-buy-them-in-store. Plus, it safely follows the stay-at-home mandate.
But the REAL reason why we’ve turned to fewer, simpler cleaning solutions in the first place was, of course, plastic-related. In an interest to rid our home of plastic products, we’ve switched to glass bottle carriers and bulk items whenever possible. We have been getting our bulk refills from The Ecology Center, but due to the Stay-at-home mandate, we’ve recently run out of said products and have no interest to traverse the twenty-something miles just to get refills.
So I turned to a few resources and the ever-handy web, and have decided to make do with a DIY project of my own. I chose a traditional water-and-vinegar recipe using a 1:1 ratio with ten drops of lemon essential oil. That was the recipe, and if you blinked, then you missed it. This All-Purpose cleaner works for cleaning different types of surfaces, including glass, stovetops, and fridge doors. I would be careful with wiping down granite or marble counter-tops (we don’t have such things), perhaps sticking to Castille Soap and Water for these types of surfaces.
We store the solution underneath the sink in a clear spray bottle, although as you can see here, I am particularly partial to amber vessels. Shall you choose to add fresh lemon juice, I suggest storing it in the fridge, instead. Our household uses washable dish cloths to wipe down surfaces, and we haven’t bought paper towels in YEARS. See also, wooden cleaning alternatives to compliment your less-waste solutions. For those who prefer to sweep and tidy rather than scrub, this here will do. Whatever draws at your neatnik heartstrings, may you please consider at-home cleaners.
After the house has gotten a good tidying session, I spritz a bit of Aesop’s Istros Room Spray, creating a positive feedback loop in the hopes of helping this habit stick post-COVID-19. I throw open the windows to let some fresh air in, sink into the couch with some blankets, and rejoice in a job well done.
