Wow! I have accomplished so much today!
The beautiful weather we’ve been having the last few weeks has inspired plans of spring cleaning. Today, I woke up early (for a weekend,) ate a protein-packed breakfast…
Two hot whole wheat rolls with a hard cooked egg, cheese, nutella, cottage cheese, peanut butter and jelly, and … my new vegetarian sandwich “meat”
a little too “my bologna has a first name” for me
and got straight to work on my spring cleaning checklist.
- Clean windows
- Attack window mold
- Wash curtains
- Heavy-duty mopping
- Change bedsheets
- Clean drains
- Plant vegetable sprouts
- Organize balcony
- Swap winter and summer clothes
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be harmful to you, your children, or your pets. Following some simple home remedies will allow you to get your humble abode sparkling without sacrificing the health of our environment.
Over the next week, I’ll share some simple tips and tricks for SPRING GREEN CLEANING!
For today’s installment, let’s begin with How to Clean Windows and Mold.
Cleaning windows sounds simple enough, but if you’re like me and only do it once a year, cleaning windows can be a tough job.
Step 1: Collect Your Supplies
- Bucket
- White vinegar
- Rubber gloves
- Sponge
- Plain vodka in a spray bottle
- Scrubby brush
- Paper towels
- Rubbing alcohol
- Spray bottle
- Old newspapers
Step 2: Prepare the Area
Remove all furniture and curtains from around the windows. Vacuum any dust and debris.
Step 3: Attack and Kill Mold
As we know, mold likes to grow in damp places like bathrooms. In my apartment, mold is infamous around the large windows. Throughout the winter, as the warm moist air inside hits the cold metal and glass windows, the moisture condenses, creating the perfect environment for mold. Mold is very hazardous to our health, so it is best to take every effort to prevent mold in the first place: air out the room, wipe up any condensed water. If mold still forms, spray any mold spores with plain vodka, let rest for 5 minutes, spray again, scrub off, then wipe away with disposable paper towels as soon as the mold is noticed.
Step 4: Pre-Clean the Windows
Wipe away any dirt and grime using this Basic Window Cleaner:
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/3 gallon water
Mix the water and vinegar in a bucket then wipe the windows clean using a sponge. Don’t worry about water spots, they will actually help you later! Clean the inside and outside of the windows.
Step 5: Clean the Windows
Super Streak-Free Window Cleaner
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1 clean 32 ounce spray bottle
- Mix all the ingredients in the spray bottle. Shake well before using.
- Spray on windows and dry with crumpled newspaper.
If your windows are rather large, break them up into smaller sections, making it easier to manage.
Step 6: Stand Back and Enjoy
Throughout the day of mad cleaning, I enjoyed the following treats!
Left-over Pretend Paneer Masala with roasted garlic crackers
Beet, carrot, celery, cucumber,apple, and ginger juice.
After spring cleaning my own dirty body, I met with friends for a dinner of arrugula ravioli and white wine!
Please check back throughout the week for more Spring Green Cleaning Ideas such as:
- Unclogging drains
- Solutions for balcony gardens
- Multipurpose Citrus Disinfectant
Eating Abroad
