April 26th, 2012

Spring cleaning: not everyone likes it, and some people (including my brother) seem to have no idea what the word "clean" even entails. However, it is truly important to clean the house now and then, as dust naturally harbors negative energy. Further, cluttered, dark rooms provide a hiding place for exactly the kind of astral nasties that we all want to avoid. Cleaning can be as simple as simple as putting away the accumulated clutter of the past week, or as intense as vacuuming and scrubbing down every surface in sight. Frequently, it tends to be a combination of the two. I have been trying to clean up my reading corner, because no matter what I do, it always seems messy. I've been receiving college mail (it's only the beginning), and that too is beginning to pile up. Opening the windows can be cleaning just by itself - raising the blinds lets in the sun and helps negate any negativity that happens to be hanging around. However, spring cleaning doesn't have to be limited to cleaning the house. One can use this time to cleanse oneself spiritually, also. Do something a little extra for yourself: splurge on that new book, meditate on how you can open yourself to opportunities, release the old, take a cleansing bath or shower.

Interested in eco-friendly cleaning options? If you have distilled white vinegar around the house (and you probably do), as well as some baking soda, you've got yourself the makings of a powerful cleaner without harsh chemicals.

• To shine chrome sink fixtures that have a lime buildup, use a paste made of 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar.
• Make your own scouring cleanser by combining 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent. Add just enough white distilled vinegar to give it a thick but creamy texture.
• Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.
• To clean a grease splattered oven door window, saturate it with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Keep the door open for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping with a sponge.
• Remove mineral deposits from coffee makers with white distilled vinegar. Fill the water reservoir with 1 cup or more of white distilled vinegar and run it through a whole cycle. Run it once or twice more with plain water to rinse clean. (Check the owners’ manual first.)
• To make cleaning the grill easier, spray a solution of half water and half white distilled vinegar on the cooking surface.