Bowls of baking soda and grated soap bar on a wooden surface used by Maid Sailors
By Guest Contributor Cleaning Tips • Do It Yourself • Green 0 Comments

Be A Natural: Solutions for Safe Cleaning

You don’t need fancy products to have a completely sanitized home – surprisingly, you may already have everything you need sitting in your fridge. Further, as a millennial, it’s your sworn duty to only use natural solutions whenever possible – if a natural solution is not possible, delay solving the problem for as long as possible until a natural solution is developed (jk lol).

Sadly, many cleaning products on your Amazon or Duane Reade have many chemicals that can be considered harmful and/or relatively toxic. Left to their own devices, these agents will cause unwanted side effects, such as skin irritations and rashes; prolonged use may even contribute to respiratory diseases.

“Green cleaning” is much safer (no surprise there). But where should you start? Also, will “going green” eliminate the green inside your wallet? Don’t panic – we’ve written a cheat-sheet with natural solutions for healthy heavy-duty cleaning. Keep your apartment clean while minimizing damages to your health (and the environment) – it’s like killing three grass-fed birds with one stone!

Clean Cheat Sheet

  • When Life Gives You Lemon Juice, Make a Cleaning Aid
    We wonder if Theologians believe lemons were a sanitizing gift from our almighty creator (if you believe in that sort of thing)? Lemons have acids that can help remove stains and dirt from various surfaces. Use lemon juice in the bathroom or kitchen to eliminate soap scum and built-up hard-water deposits. Further, when mixed with salt, the resulting solution makes a perfect scouring paste.
  • Lastly, lemon juice is very effective with deodorizing and disinfecting countertops and can be used to clean dishes. To achieve lemon juice’s full cleaning potential, merge it with olive oil to form an excellent hardwood polishing solution. Remember, don’t use acidic cleaners on granite counters!
  • You Catch Less Physical Ailments With Vinegar
    Vinegar ain’t no joke – it’s a very effective all-purpose cleaner. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and now you’re ready to clean the entire home. The solution works wonders for the bathtub, countertops, sink, and faucets. If you’re trying to impress your friends (who isn’t?), use it as a floor cleaner. Before you get too excited, beware: it can harm marble and wood.
  • Baking Soda
    Substitute baking soda for other non-abrasive cleaners. If you have a garage, you can use baking soda to clean its concrete floor. Inside the house, use it for nasty oil and grease spills.

Concluding Remarks

While cleaning may be dangerously boring, it shouldn’t be dangerous. Give our natural solutions a try – if you’re still having trouble, call Maid Sailors and we’ll fix up your home real quick.

By Guest Contributor Do It Yourself • Green 0 Comments

3 Non-toxic Cleaning Solutions You Can Make At Home

What do chlorine, ammonia and sodium hydroxide have in common? These are some of the chemicals that popular cleaning products employ to remove grease, stains and germs in households and offices. While these potent actors can certainly be effective on dirt and grime, they can undoubtedly be harmful to you, your children and the environment.

Even if you opt for a popular cleaning solution that boasts a “green” or “eco-friendly” label, there’s still a chance that the claim of environmental safety is inaccurate. Take a few minutes to carefully read the ingredients on the label before you commit. You may find ingredients you didn’t expect to see. Some of the symptoms you might experience from using cleaning products made with harsh chemicals include:

  • Headache
  • Red, watering eyes
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Skin irritation

If you continue to use these products, long-term ailments may include:

  • Asthma
  • Allergic reactions
  • Other respiratory problems

In order to avoid certain disaster, more and more homeowners are turning to natural, homemade products for their cleaning needs. Ultimately, these efforts can alleviate the harmful impact on the environment and help avoid the negative effects of chemicals. Below, you can find three simple recipes to create effective, affordable and eco-friendly cleaning solutions. Always remember: Maid Sailors uses eco-friendly cleaning products when they clean your home ( perfectly).

Make sure you have this stuff:

  • Plastic spray bottles
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • White vinegar
  • Fresh lemon or lemon juice
  • Cornstarch
  • Water
  • Baking soda
  • Castile soap
  • Essential oils
  • Sponges and towels

1) Glass Cleaner

Set aside your go-to, chemical-ridden glass cleaner and whip up a streak-free solution with the help of a few standard kitchen items. For best results, use a newspaper to rub your homemade cleaner over the glass surfaces you’re polishing to a shine. Mix the ingredients thoroughly in a spray bottle to avoid clogs. Adjust the following recipe for larger or smaller bottles:

  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • ¼ cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 cups distilled or tap water
  • A few drops of your favorite essential oil ( optional)

2) Grease Fighter

It might be hard to believe that a handful of household items is all you need to effortlessly lift grease off counters, stovetops and microwaves – believe it. This formula uses three ingredients and zero chemicals to make one powerful de-greaser. Mix the ingredients in a plastic bottle and add a few drops of lemon juice until it’s fresh. The baking soda breaks up stubborn gunk and the lemon juice adds a hint of citrus-infused freshness. Assemble:

  • 2 cups tepid water
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons liquid castile soap
  • 10 or more drops of lemon juice or essential oil

3) Carpet Cleaner

If you have kids or pets (they’re practically the same thing, right?), your carpet is probably used to a lot of foot traffic (amongst other things). Often, the perpetrators leave evidence behind in the form of tiny little footprints or mud-soaked paw prints. Ditch the powdery carpet treatment that requires a vacuum cleaner. Instead, parents and pet owners alike can spot-clean their rugs with this simple carpet cleaning solution. Gather the following ingredients and mix thoroughly for optimal results. Use a sponge to help you loosen dirt before you break the grime down even further. Ingredients include:

  • Liquid castile soap
  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar
  • Clean towel and sponge

Not only are these non-toxic cleaning solutions eco-friendly, they’re wallet-friendly. You can use these recipes in any room of your house, or use them to supplement other eco-conscious cleaning methods in your car. All in all, the homemade cleaning tools will set you back less than $10. We’ve tweaked these blends just slightly, and you can feel free to experiment with your solutions, as long as you’re taking the proper safety precautions. If you’re too lazy to do any of this, do yourself a favor and call Maid Sailors.