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May 15, 2014

5 Natural Solutions for Your Laundry Room

Are you in the process of making your home a greener place? If so, you’ve probably already taken steps to create natural alternatives for your household products. While most people think of doing this for the cleaning items they use in their bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens, many don’t stop to think about the products they are using in the laundry room- but you should. After all, the soaps, fresheners, and dryer sheets affect the clothes you wear every single day. You don’t want all those chemicals and hazardous ingredients touching your skin, do you?

We didn’t think so. Luckily, there are plenty of natural alternatives you can turn to in an effort to improve your laundry experience and make it greener, and we have a few recipes to help.

Recipes for Greener Home Cleaning: The Laundry Room

Rubber Ring Freshener- If you own a front load washing machine, you know it can become odorous over time. Instead of purchasing chemical products from the store, make this fresh smelling spritz.

• In a small spray bottle, combine water and 5 to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Shake well before each use.
• Spray the rubber ring on the washing machine between washes.
• Leave the door open and let the mixture air dry.

Dryer Sheets- Dryer sheets cost a lot of money over time, and the chemicals used to make them smell nice can be detrimental to your skin and clothes. Instead of using them, try wool dry balls. They can be used again and again, keeping your costs down, your laundry static free, and safe.

You’ll need:

• Wood dryer balls
• Two to three drops of your favorite essential oil

Place two to three drops of oil on each dryer ball right before you place it in the dryer.

Fabric Softener- Looking for a fabric softener that is natural and will freshen up your musty clothes and towels after just one load? Add a cup of vinegar to each load for softer, fresher clothes. If you miss that ‘clean’ smell, just add a few drops of essential oil with it.

Stain Remover- You don’t have to pay those high prices for chemical ridden stain removers and oxygen cleaners. Instead, make your own.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup of hot water
• ½ cup of baking soda
• 5 drops of lemon essential oil
• ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide

Combine the baking soda and water first, stirring with a spoon until the baking soda is completely dissolved. After this is cool, add the essential oil and hydrogen peroxide. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and shake well. This mixture will not only remove the stains from your clothes, but is an excellent surface cleaner for the rest of your home!

Linen Spray- Freshening your sheets, pillow cases, and fabric furniture can be difficult, especially when you don’t want to take the time to wash them every single day. With this linen spray, you don’t have to. It will leave your fabrics smelling fresh and ready to be used.

• Fill a spray bottle with water.
• Add one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol to keep the mixture mixed well and prevent the nozzle from being clogged.
• Add five to ten drops of an essential oil. Lavender essential oil is the best option if you want the spray to be used on bed sheets, as it promotes relaxation.
• Shake the spray and freshen your fabrics.

For any other room of your home, call Greenapple House Cleaning. We’ll be happy to keep your home clean and sanitary each and every week. Our home cleaning experts use only chemical-free and green cleaning solutions to promote environmental health and the health of your family.