5 Natural Cleaners You Can Make and Use at Home!

 

Whether you clean your home yourself or use a maid service, you should always consider the cleaning products being used. Most over-the-counter household cleaners contain harmful chemicals. Using eco-friendly cleaners will keep your home free of dangerous chemicals for a healthier environment. 

All Purpose Spray

Antiseptic, disinfectant and non-toxic! This delicious-smelling and only three ingredient clear is healthier and effective for many kitchen and bathroom surfaces, appliances, glass, carpet and non wax floors. Simply grab a reusable spray bottle- fill it up with fresh rosemary and the skins of lemons, and add water! 

Drain De-clogger

If you remember this old-school duo as a cleaning staple- then you're in luck. If your sink isn't clearing as quickly as it could, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, then follow it with a cup of heated vinegar. Wait about 10 minutes, then flush the drain with a pot of boiling water. This combination has the ability to clear clogs- instantly!  

Floor Solution

Mop floors with apple cider vinegar. Skip the costly store brand cleaners and mix up your own solution by adding 1 cup of apple cider vinegar to a gallon of water. Dirt is no match for the acidity of vinegar. It will be sure to remove that dirt without leaving that dreadful soapy film behind.  

Brighten Linens

Citrus mixed with sunlight will naturally brighten up your whites without using harsh chemicals like bleach. Add half a cu of lemon juice to your washing machine's rinse cycle, then hang your clothes similar to a clothesline- on your patio's or bathrooms to fry your wash in an open area. 

Wall Cleaners

Maintain satin and semi-gloss paint surfaces by combining 1/4 cup of dishwashing detergent with a gallon of warm water, then use an all natural sponge or plain white cleaning cloths to wash your walls. Rinse the sponge in a bucket of plain warm water in between uses.

Eco-friendly and homemade cleaners provide you with a better alternative to keep your house sparkling clean without having to break the bank.

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLivingTips: Spring Cleaning Your Apartment

 

Spring has finally sprung! What does this mean for you? Most people will experience the rise of warmer weather across the world. This also means giving your home a nice clean up! I know what you're thinking- we always spot clean as we go. But there's a huge advantage of doing one big spring cleaning to help you gradually enter into the new season! Here are some tips provided by ApartmentGuide.com on how to get started.

Make a Plan

Even though your apartment may not seem that big, it can feel a bit overwhelming if you're tackling your entire space. You can start with your least favorite room or the space that will require the most attention. Leaving that room till the end isn't the best idea, because you'll be exhausted by the time your reach the next room. You'll feel much better when you can cross off a room off your list and move to the next.

Recruit Help

If you live with family members or even roommates, this would be task that was benefit everyone. But even if you live alone, having a friend or family member tackle their spring cleaning task with you (virtually) will make these more fun! Once the cleaning has been done offer your friends or family free dinner or lunch in thanks of them helping out! 

Dust

No matter what room you're in, dust can always accumulate. Begin dusting from the top to the bottom first. Always dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and wall art. If you leave this task for last, you may end up cleaning your floors twice thanks to the flying dust. Using a microfiber dust cloth or the soft nozzle attachment on your vacuum to dust those dirty areas on your walls and ceiling. 

Let Solutions Sit

When sterilizing your tub, sink or shower, you would need to apply a cleaning solution to get this process started. Instead of instantly scrubbing after the solution has been sprayed, let it get to work on tackling the grime and stains on your surfaces. Wait around 15 minutes before rinsing- this way you'll have to do less scrubbing and get cleaner results.

Clean Screens

TV screens and computer monitors tend to accumulate lots of dust, but when you use an all-purpose cleaner on them, streaks will appear. Forget the spray cleaner and reach for a coffee filter instead. This will wipe off all the lint and dust without messing with your viewing experience. 

Before you break out the cleaning supplies, go through each room to gather things for recycling, trash or donations!

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLiving: How to Make Flowers Last Longer

 

Who else enjoyed Valentine's Day this year? This holiday always brings cheer and lots of flowers! It is important to make sure your flowers thrive and last for a long period of time. I mean- who wouldn't mind looking at bouquet of flowers every time they wake up? Here are some tips provided by ProFlowers.com on how to make your gorgeous bouquet last to see more days!

Cut the Stems

One of the most common mistakes make after receiving flowers is forgetting to cut the stems. Use garden shears to trim one to two inches off and cut at an angle. Cutting the stems at an angle allows for better water intake since they aren't sitting flat on the bottom of a vase. After the initial cut, be sure to re-trim your bouquet once every few days. 

Prune

Remove any leaves below the water line. It will not only make your bouquet look better, but also prevent bacterial growth. Somme flowers, like roses, have guard peals which are the two or three petals of the flower. Removing these will allow your flowers to open fully. After your initial pruning you should check your flowers daily for dead or loose leaves and petals in order to avoid bacterial rot.

Water Wisely

It's not only important to get your bouquet hydrated, but to do so wisely. Your flowers won't last long without water, especially once their stems have been cut. After picking out a clean vase, fill it with room temperature water and add in a packet of flower food. Make sure the packet has been properly mixed and that the water is not too diluted or too concentrated. It's imperative to clean your vase thoroughly and change out the water and flower food every two to three days.

Avoid Direct Sunlight, Heat, Drafts and Fruit

Your flowers will last longer in a room with cool temperatures. Avoid displaying them in direct sunlight or near appliances that generate heat. You'll also want to avoid areas like open windows, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans as they can cause the flowers to quickly dehydrate. You also should avoid displaying your bouquet near fruit. Fruits can release tiny amounts of ethylene as which can reduce the longevity of your fresh arrangement. 

Make sure to capture the true beauty of your flowers by taking a picture of them- those last even longer!

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLiving: Celebrating Pumpkin Season

 

It's officially Fall ya'll! October brings us significant changes in the atmosphere and pumpkin season is in full effect. Make this season enjoyable by making the most of the change in weather, the new colors on the leaves and most importantly the best pumpkin treats you can find.

Pumpkin Picking

You may have noticed that a lot of stores and markets are gearing up to sell pumpkins this year. This is a great opportunity to grab one for yourself as well. Another fun idea is to head to your local pumpkin patch or farm to see if you can pick from the several amount of pumpkins they carry. This is such a great way to have your children involved in picking the pumpkin they like and start thinking of the endless possibilities that you will have!

Decorating Pumpkins

There's something so fun about decorating pumpkins for Halloween. You can basically paint any kind of pumpkin, but you'll want to start with a bump-free canvas. Since pumpkins often have ribbing, smooth-skin varieties are your best bet. If you want to eat the pumpkins after the kids have decorated them, be sure to use non-toxic paint. Otherwise, acrylic, latex and puff paint will all do the trick! If you want to make this extra fun for everyone host a Pumpkin Decorating contest! This is extremely fun when you set up a theme such as: superheroes, favorite cartoon character, etc. 

Pumpkin Carving

According to Pumpkin Guide; Technically, any type of pumpkin, gourd or squash can be carved, but you want to select ones that are easy for you and your kids to handle. Whether you're picking them out at a farm or at farm or at grocery store, make sure that your pumpkin is healthy and free of  decay. If you're headed for the patch, life the pumpkin off the ground and make sure the underside hasn't started to rot. 

Test a Pumpkin Recipe 

All pumpkins are edible! But of course the amount of pumpkin you get depends of the size of the pumpkin you choose. Cooking after your pumpkin is carved can be used to be pureed for soups, muffins and breads, but you never want to use a pumpkin for cooking after it's been carved and displayed for decoration. For fresh pumpkin pie, smaller and sweeter pumpkin varieties are best. Choose pumpkins that are 3-6 pounds in weight. 

Please remember to always wear a mask and social distance yourselves while going out. Be sure to enjoy this year's pumpkin season! 

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.