Household Cleaning Blech!!

So it is spring, and I have some pretty awesome tips on making the house sparkling clean, expecially if you found absolutely zero time to clean your house throughout the winter. I always keep three basic items around just for cleaning purposes and I think everyone needs to heed this advice!

1- Old t-shirts. Always have one for you to wear while cleaning, and one to cut up for rags to use for cleaning. Once you get tired of the one you wear for cleaning, use that as rags, and keep cycling t-shirts through to use for cleaning purposes. I like to use white ones simply because some colored ones don't allow you to know when the shirt is too dirty for use, but anything but black works well. These homemade rags are great for mini blinds, and some rather large spaces. They also don't leave the lint on windows that most paper towels do. Also they are washable, and re-useable so you can have the same cloths for years.

2- Old used toothbrushes. I use hard bristle brushes on my teeth, even though they say you are only supposed to use soft, and they work amazing for cleaning small to reach places when cleaning your house. Corners of windows, and small spaces that simply do not allow full hand access can be cleaned with ease with a toothbrush. I always keep all of my cleaning supplies in a bucket to avoid confusion though.

3- Quite possibly the most important thing that I always keep are old spray bottles. I re-fill almost every old bottle with something else. I make a lot of my own cleaners, and never spend more than $1.00 on cleaning supplies. The bottles are great for watering indoor plants, keeping cats off the counters, and simple spot cleaning. I simply wash out the bottle really well, and fill with water, bulk cleaner, or vinegar and go to work. These are also really useful for making your own air fresheners which I will explain next!


Ingredients:
-8-10 drops (about 1tsp) COLORLESS essential oil of your choosing. (I like the spring scents you can find at walmart for about $4 a bottle which will last a long time)
-Empty and clean spray bottle
-Water (enough to fill the spray bottle)

Directions:
To make the spray, all you have to do is add the fragrance to the water in the bottle, and spray (lightest spray setting on the bottle) into the air. You can add more fragrance if you like the smell stronger, or use less if you like it lighter. If you are using a fragrance that is citrusy, replace 1/8cup of water with vinegar, and this will help to absorb bad odors. If using a sweet smell, add 1tsp vanilla extract.

I don't suggest spraying directly on surfaces as it can discolor some fabrics if you use a colored scent, or vanilla, but if sprayed directly in the air it freshens the place up quick. My favorite scent to use is Fresh Linen which I got in a large bottle from Walmart it is light blue, but it works amazing in the air and makes me think of spring!