Spring has officially sprung and many people are taking this opportunity to spruce up their home. This may include having garage sales, making donations of unwanted items, cleaning out an attic or basement, or just giving the whole house a good, deep cleaning. One problem with cleaning is that many cleaning products we use have powerful chemicals in them that can actually be very bad for our health. However, this Spring, you can make your own cleaning solutions out of natural substances that are just as good as their chemical counterparts.

1. Baking soda makes for an excellent air freshener. Sometimes we leave an open box in our refrigerator to soak up the odors of various leftovers. It can also be used to deodorize a room or carpet, and can even help fight stains.
2. Lemon juice is a good disinfectant. The strong citric acid in lemons can kill most bacteria found in a home. Other citrus solvents can be used to clean paint brushes and oil and grease stains.
3. White vinegar can be used to clean some stains and fight mildew. It makes a great alternative to bleach. Wiping down utensils with vinegar after cooking can remove leftover scents of fish or onions. After wiping them down, wash them with soapy water.
4. Borax (sodium borate) can clean a lot of surfaces like wallpaper, painted walls, and floors. It also disinfects and deodorizes, and is safe for the environment and your health as long as it is not ingested.
5. Washing soda (sodium carbonate decahydrate) is a mineral that removes stains and grease, and is perfect for cleaning bathrooms.
6. Cornstarch can be used to clean windows, or make your furniture and carpeting look like new. Combining some of these ingredients can make some powerful cleaning solutions. For example, a half cup of vinegar, a quarter cup of baking soda, and a half gallon of water make an excellent all-purpose cleaner. Air fresheners can be made by combining baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice. There are many other solutions that can be made from the aforementioned ingredients, and they can handle everything from rust remover to shoe polish. You can find a list of different solutions at Earth Easy.

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