Time passes so quickly we hardly noticed that spring has arrived! Actually it’s almost summer. And what else could be on top of our To-Do list? Of course it’s spring cleaning. You might wonder why this is so important, and why this has to be done particularly in spring and not in winter or in fall.
Well, here are some facts: spring is the season when nature awakes, everything is fresh and new and we feel inspired too. It’s the perfect time to take advantage of your energetic mood and de-clutter and simplify your life to be prepared for a great summer with plenty of time and opportunity to relax.
Historically, the reasons for spring cleaning are different. It used to be a tradition in cold geographic areas to thoroughly clean the house in the first warm days of the year. However, this tradition has somehow spilt over borders and is now commonly practiced all around the world.
But spring cleaning isn’t all about cleaning though. It’s also about getting rid of the mess and chaos in your household, to de-clutter, to create more space and to organize your house from scratch. Getting rid of old and unused items can be a relief, yet what to do with all the stuff you no longer use? Some things are in perfect condition and too precious to just toss. Bartering is the perfect solution here! Put your old stuff up for barter and get rid of them once and for all. On top of that, get new things you need in exchange. And the best part: this procedure only takes a couple of clicks with BarterQuest!
However, let me get back to the cleaning. We’d like to share some smart yet simple tricks with you so your spring cleaning adventure will be entirely successful. Since we’re all fans of swapping here at BarterQuest, we’d like to suggest the following swaps:
-Use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean your windows instead of glass cleaner. Wipe with old newspapers and the results will surprise you and it’s cheaper and greener than using expensive chemical cleaner and kitchen towels.
-Wash the interior of your fridge: use a solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda for every quart of warm water instead of all-purpose cleaner.
-Get rid of all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, bath cleaner etc. All you need to keep your house clean as a whistle is baking soda, lemons and vinegar. It doesn’t just simplify your life, it will save you tons of money and is much better for the environment too. Vinegar is a powerful disinfectant so don’t worry, it’s even better than toxic chemicals.
-Pour lemon juice on white linens and clothes and dry in the sun to bleach away stains.
-Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle with salt and use to clean and shine brass and copper fixtures.
In general, using chemicals and potential toxic substances is never a good choice, whether for your own health nor for the environment. We suggest you perform the above suggested swaps to make your life cleaner and healthier, too.
Vinegar is a very good all-purpose cleaner and can easily replace all of your different cleaners, soaps and detergents. Yes, you can even use it as a detergent to wash your laundry! Just pour a quarter cup in the container for fabric softener of your washing machine and start the cycle as you normally would.
You’d be surprised how powerful it is and yet doesn’t harm your laundry.
A lot of people don’t really like the smell of vinegar though, but once applied it transpires in the air rather quickly and leaves your home with a sweet and fresh scent.
If you still don’t like that, dribble a couple of drops of your favorite ethereal oil in your vinegar solution (such as lavender, cinnamon, vanilla or peppermint).
And when you’re finally done with cleaning and polishing every single spot in your house: don’t forget to reward yourself! Take a bubble bath, pour yourself a glass of champagne and enjoy your clean home. Also be proud of the fact that you’ve saved a lot of money while using eco-friendly products and getting rid of old stuff while creating room for new things. Now it’s time for new adventures.
