Inexpensive and Natural Cleaning Products for Your Home

2021 is a great time to become more conscious about the cleaning products we use in our homes and around our families. Choosing to go more natural and eco-friendly has many benefits and doing so doesn’t have to break the bank.

Cleaning products that are purchased at the store are usually made with many chemicals that can be unhealthy to not only the environment but also your family — not to mention can also be expensive. 

There are many plus sides to using all-natural cleaning products. For starters, a lot of these commercial cleaning products sold in stores contain chemicals such as bleach and ammonia that can irritate the skin, eyes, and throat and can even cause more serious health problems like cancer. 

We curated these inexpensive natural cleaning products to ensure you’ll be more sustainable and at the same time keep your space sparkling. Additionally, most of these products are ideal for shopping on a budget!

Remove harsh products out of your cleaning routine and explore these simple, yet effective natural cleaning products for the home.

1. All-Purpose Cleaner for Everyday

When it comes to eco-friendly natural cleaning products, citrus is your friend. Its strong acid components work well to get rid of pesky stains and odors in the home. Be sure to not use this recipe on natural stone tile or countertops.

• Ingredients:

  • Recycled citrus peels 

  • 1 teaspoon castile soap

  • 1 cup white vinegar

  • 2 cups water

  • 20 drops lemon essential oil (optional)

• Directions: 

1. Fill an empty jar with slices of citrus peels, fill with white vinegar, and set out for about two weeks so it has time to infuse.  

2. Next, strain vinegar from the jar and place the peels in compost. Mix the vinegar with castile soap and water. 

3. Add 20 drops of lemon-scented essential oil (optional).

4. Pour mixture into a spray bottle.

2. Natural Glass Cleaner 

Did you know cornstarch can also be used to clean glass surfaces? Cornstarch is an ingredient that is low cost and chemical-free — not to mention most people have lying around in their cupboards. Cornstarch is the perfect natural substitute since it breaks down the water bonds that cause spots and streaks.

• Ingredients:

  • 2 cups water

  • 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch 

  • ¼ cup white vinegar

• Directions: 

1. Mix together all ingredients.

2. Shake up this mixture until well combined and pour into a bottle with a spray nozzle. 

3. Eco-Friendly Air Freshener

Another ingredient that is low cost and great at getting rid of odors is baking soda. This recipe is simple to create and you can relax knowing that you’re avoiding the harsh products found in a store-bought air freshener. 

• Ingredients:

  • Baking soda 

  • Natural scents, such as cinnamon sticks, rosemary, dried lavender flowers, dried orange peels, or essential oils

• Directions: 

1. Fill a jar of your choice halfway with baking soda. 

2. Add your natural scents to the jar. 

3. Mix the ingredients to make sure the scent is well dispersed.

4. Open the lid of your jar wherever you need to get rid of odors.

Check out the infographic below for more natural cleaning recipes. 

Guest Post - Top Mistakes to Avoid When Building Your Own Home

Finding the right residence can be tricky. Often houses on the market don’t have everything you’re looking for, which is why building your dream home can be so appealing. However, you want the project to be done right. Here are some common mistakes people make when building their own homes. 

1. Choosing the Wrong Homebuilder

You want to find the right person for the job. Remember, they are responsible for all aspects of the project. You want to find someone who is communicative and responsive. You also want to make sure they understand your vision clearly. That’s why it’s vital to check reviews online before choosing a builder and compare multiple contractors to ensure you’re getting the best deal. 

Once you narrow down your choices, you should interview them to get answers to all your important questions.

Here are some questions to get you started:

• Can you give me references from your recent buyers and occupants?

• Do you have a financing plan established?

• Are there any options in the floor plan?

• Can appliances be up- or downgraded? 

2. Picking the Wrong Location

Before you start construction, familiarize yourself with the surrounding area. Walk around the town and take pictures to get a better sense of the community, and be sure to visit at different times of the day to get a broader perspective. Also, consider other aspects of the site, such as the slope of the land, sun exposure and views. 

3. Choosing the Wrong Material 

When considering interior features for your home, it may be tempting to go for higher-end material, like granite countertops or wood floors. However, these can be more expensive. Before making any purchases, consider how often you will use it, how durable it is and how easy it is to clean.

Also, keep in mind the importance of your home’s exterior foundation when deciding which materials to use. Consider using precast concrete for its durability and weather resistance. 

4. Not Doing Your Research

When building a home, you want to know what your vision is. Browse magazines, visit home improvement stores and attend open houses to get inspiration. Create a list of features you want in your dream home. 

You can get tips from your designer, but you have the final say. Doing some research can help you make more confident decisions. 

Figuring out what interior design ideas you like can be tricky. Here are some features to consider adding to your new home:

• Steam shower

• Impact-rated windows 

• Outdoor theater

• Stair shelves

5.  Not Being Realistic

You want your space to be comfortable for you. However, be practical about the costs and time expectations. Before starting the project, create a budget and try to stick to it, and be realistic about how long the process will take. It can take about six months to build your home with no delays. Also, be aware of any building restrictions or zoning laws that may limit what features you can add to your property. 

Things to Consider When Building Your Dream Home

You want your dream home to have all your desired features. Building your own house allows you to get more of what you want. However, you need to do some research before diving into the project. Keep these common mistakes in mind when creating your ideal abode.

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.

Expensive Hazards Around Your Home and What You Can Do About Them

All homeowners have maintenance that they need to take care of on occasion. However, some of these problems can actually become safety hazards, so they need to be taken care of right away. Here are some expensive hazards that can occur in your home as well as some ways that you can fix them.

Loose Flooring

Your flooring isn't meant to last forever. After a certain amount of time, you may notice that it no longer adheres to the floor as it once did. This can lead to you and your family members tripping or falling over loose floorboards, torn carpeting, or curling linoleum. If you do notice that your flooring is loose, try not to walk on it until you are able to get it replaced. Some homeowners try to tackle this project themselves, but it's best to leave it up to the professionals in order to make sure that it's done properly.

Dying Trees

Trees can start to die and rot because of things like harsh weather conditions or pests eating away at them. The tree's branches can become an expensive hazard as they can fall on your home if not taken care of. If you notice that you have a tree that's starting to rot, contact a tree removal service, like Pete & Ron's Tree Service, Inc., so that they can remove this tree from your yard for you.

Water Leaks

Many homeowners may have a water leak behind one of their walls that they aren't even aware of. Fortunately, there are some signs you can keep an eye out for that tell you this is occurring. If you notice that there's a water spot or peeling paint on one part of the wall, or if the wall is wet or feels soft, you may have a water leak. You can fix this by having a plumber come out to repair it for you. Don't put off having this fixed as it can turn into a catastrophic situation fairly quickly.

Broken Windows

A window can break for a variety of different reasons from kids playing in the yard to a burglar seeking entrance or a storm with high winds. Once a window is broken, though, it can put you and your family at risk. Fortunately, windows usually aren't that expensive, and a professional may be able to replace it in as little as a few hours.

While expensive hazards aren't something that any homeowner wants to deal with, they tend to be unavoidable. As you can see, you may encounter all sorts of expensive hazards in your home, but they can all be fixed. In order to keep the damage and costs to a minimum, you do need to take care of them quickly. This will ensure that you don't inadvertently put your family in harm's way. 

Ways To Update Your Outdated Kitchen

Due to the pandemic, the kitchen has now become a place to entertain guests as well as prepare food. Whether it’s two people getting together for a date or a larger gathering of friends, a kitchen’s seating area can easily become crowded, which is why it should always look its best. Here are a few ways to update your outdated kitchen that will give you a fresh look and a welcoming and spacious feel.

Appliances

Look at your appliances. What message do they convey? Stainless steel is a classic, ever-popular look that makes a kitchen feel modern. Consider the condition and appearances of your current appliances and determine if any of them need an upgrade.

Flooring

When it comes to flooring, you have lots of options. A lot of older kitchens have linoleum or tiling. When exploring options, look at laminate and vinyl planking. These flooring materials have come a long way. Both are water-resistant.

You can get them in patterns that look like hardwood, which is always a classic look. They come in an array of colors and are easy to clean and maintain. Changing the flooring to laminate can be done in a day and can significantly alter your kitchen’s look.

Cabinetry

Many older kitchens are filled with cabinetry both on the walls and below the counters. The issue with abundant storage space is that we continue to fill it with things we don’t need or rarely use.

If you remove the cabinets and install open shelving instead, you’ll have more storage space. Additionally, if you paint the walls a fresh, light color, your kitchen will look and feel much larger.

Seating

When selecting seating, match your choice with the rest of your kitchen’s theme. Link your kitchen’s theme to the seating by using matching colors or patterns. Additionally, you want your guests to feel cozy and comfortable, so make sure your seating is comfortable, as well.

Countertops

A fresh countertop is another change that can update your kitchen. You have lots of options. If you’re willing to spend to get new and quality materials that fit your overall look, great. If you have a smaller budget but love the look of quartz, there are DIY options where you put epoxy over your existing countertops to create a whole new look.

Lighting

Consider if you’d like soft light, fluorescent, or something else. Many bulbs and fixtures work to save energy, which is great. You can also install dimmers to give you more illumination while cooking and less when you’re visiting with your guests.

There are many individual and useful ways to update your outdated kitchen. Each will get you closer to an overall look that will enhance your space the way you want. Start with your desired theme and go from there.