Dahlia DeWinters - Author

Though it’s still cold enough here in New Jersey for the furnace to kick on in the morning, the calendar tells us that spring is here. Though I don’t completely believe it, I’ve done my share of spring cleaning.

With children and a dog, I have to be careful about the products that I use around the house. Not only can the smells be noxious and trigger a reaction, but also you never know who is touching, sniffing and putting food down on not-quite-dry surfaces. In addition, the pretty colors of many of the cleaning fluids may attract children.

If you or a family member are sensitive to these products or would simply like a gentler, more natural way to spring clean your home, here are five tips for natural cleaning, presented in no particular order.

1. Don’t like commercial glass cleaners? Mix ¼ cup vinegar with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Use as you would any glass cleaner and wipe clean with newspaper or old, cut up t shirts. Though the newsprint may stain your hand, it will leave your window sparkly clear.
2. It’s not a salad dressing: To clean wood furniture and give it that shine, mix equal parts of lemon juice and olive oil. Shake to combine, then pour a small amount on a cloth (old t-shirt). Rub onto the furniture.
3. Have mold or mildew? Wipe it away with white vinegar on a paper towel or cloth.
4. Tarnished silver? Rub with white toothpaste (not gel). Then rinse with warm water. The shine will come through.
5. Instead of commercial scouring powder use baking soda, or for more scrubbing power, kosher salt. Remember to rinse thoroughly!

If you like a little scent to your products, add a few drops of orange, lavender or lemon essential oil. These oils are natural and also may serve to keep away critters while giving you a naturally fragranced home.

Green cleaning doesn’t have to be difficult, nor does it have to be expensive. Use the tips above to put aside the chemical cleaners this spring to have a fresh, chemical-free spring cleaning experience.

If you follow me on Facebook, and you totally should, you probably read about my recent liberation from a certain fast food restaurant’s sweet tea.  For a mere ninety-nine cents, I would receive a large foam cup brimming with sweety-cold goodness.  My relationship with this lovely, cold drink had been  going along smoothly until one day, the sweetness came to a grinding halt.

The cup of “tea” I received was more chipped ice than tea.  Needless to say, I was annoyed, but was willing to let it pass.  We all have our off days, don’t we?

The next cup of “tea” I received was watery and tasteless.  That was it.  In my game of baseball, two strikes and you’re out.

After mourning the loss of my refreshing drink, I woke up one morning with an ephiphany:  I’ll make my own tea!

Here, dear readers, is the result of my toiling over a hot stove, just for you, so you too can be freed from the tyranny of the varying quality of fast-food tea.  Bon appetit!

Sweet Tea

7 tea bags

2 cups hot water

2/3 cup of sugar (any kind)

Pinch of baking soda

3 cups of cold water

Ice

Drop your teabags into a 32 oz Pyrex measuring cup.  Heat your water to just below boiling and pour over the teabags.  Cover and let steep for about 15 minutes.  (I like a nice strong tea).  Add the pinch of baking soda to keep your tea from becoming bitter.  Add 2/3 cup of sugar (whatever type pleases you) and stir until dissolved.  If cool enough, pour into  pitcher of your choosing add about 3 cups of cold water, or to taste). Stir, add ice and enjoy.

You may adjust the amount of water to taste, add mint or lemon as it pleases you.

Enjoy!