Spring is in the air! Soon, the flowers will bud and the bees will be buzzing! Time to air out our homes and get cleaning! Starting off the spring season with a freshly cleaned and organized home is renewing- a sort of therapy for the body and mind. The only downside- how many chemicals are in our store-bought cleaners!

The Environmental Working Group tested 21 of the most commonly used cleaners and found they emitted over 450 chemicals into the air! In fact, the air inside our homes is 2 to 5 times MORE polluted than the air outside! Many of these compounds have been linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive and developmental health. 

Beware the consumer as many chemical and synthetic ingredients are disguised on the label's the list of ingredients. For example, “fragrances” are considered a trade secret and companies aren’t required to disclose what ingredients are in the “fragrance." 

These chemicals can be so harmful over time that they can contribute to respiratory issues and headaches. Those with asthma and allergies, especially small children, are especially sensitive to these chemicals.

So what do you do to protect your family's health? Make the switch to natural cleaning! Not only are natural cleaning products a safer solution for your home, it can be much less expensive than store bought version! Below are a few easy tips to help you get started spring cleaning in a safe and effective way.

Baking Soda-  This tried and true household staple has been used for generations. 

• Have a clogged sink? A tablespoon or two of baking soda and a cup of vinegar can clear that right up. Let it sit for 15 minutes and flush with hot water.
• Dirty toilet? Add a cup of baking soda and let it soak for up to an hour. Then add a cup of vinegar and allow to fizz for 15 minutes. Flush and go, all without even touching your toilet! 
• Grimey Oven? Mix baking soda with some water until you have a thick paste. Spread it on the bottom of your oven and in a few hours, viola! Wipe it away to reveal your newly shiny oven. 
• Hard to clean soap scum? Mix 2 parts baking soda, with one part salt and one part borax for a great scouring powder for even the toughest to remove spots. 

White Vinegar- Vinegar is a great disinfectant! 

• Window cleaner- for an easy to make window cleaner simply fill a jar with white vinegar and add lemon peel. Allow to soak for a few days and strain out the lemon peel. Great for cleaning windows as well as mopping the floor and disinfecting surfaces in your home. 

Fresh Lemon- Both the acidity and smell make lemons an ideal additive for natural cleaners. 

• Have a stinky garbage disposal? Cut a lemon in half and grind away. Will clean out the disposal as well as add a clean lemony smell. 

Essential oils- High quality essential oils can be fantastic for cleaning as many are anti-microbial, anti-viral and anti-bacterial. 

• Did you know it takes over 240,000 rose petals to make one 5 mL of rose oil? This is powerful stuff and it's imperative to understand proper levels of usage, cross-reactivity for those with allergies and sensitivities as well as how to blend for maximum and safe efficacy in your home. 
• Do your essential oils homework. Are the oils extracted using volatile chemical solvents or steam? How are the plants and herbs used for your essential oils grown? With pesticides, herbicides or organically? Unless you are well versed in essential oils going to the pros for your essential oil cleaning and room spray air freshening products is a good idea. 

These are just a few easy ingredients and ideas to help kick start your transition toward more natural home. For more information on natural cleaning see EWG's Guide to healthy cleaning.