Spring cleaning

Birdsong, mild temperatures, and lengthening days indicate that spring is approaching. However, the official start of spring is not until March 20th. Nevertheless, now is a good time to take advantage of the season for spring cleaning.

Where does the concept of spring cleaning actually come from?

This dates back to a time when farmers and laborers had little work in the fields and farms in the spring. The rest of the year was scheduled for fieldwork and other related tasks. Therefore, the thorough cleaning was done in the spring.

For many people, this custom remains a fixed ritual. Moreover, due to the generally worse weather, we spend more time at home and can use this time to tidy up the apartment or house.

Countless cleaners that are not necessary!

Countless bottles and tubes - what are they actually for?

Whether for the balcony, bathroom, kettle, or in retail, there seems to be a specific product for everything. But do we really need these? Or can we manage with just a few items that are usually already at home? Baking soda and citric acid are natural household substances that serve as eco-friendly, sustainable cleaning agents without harming the environment. With this article, we want to show what they are capable of and how versatile they can be.

Decluttering creates space again!

The big clean-up...

Spring is not only great for cleaning. It's also a good time to declutter and tidy up. Even though household cleaning is a recurring process, it's rare that every surface is meticulously wiped down. Moreover, over a longer period of time, quite a bit accumulates. I experience this too. Inspired by many DIY ideas, I collect toilet paper rolls, Tetra Paks, and the like, to create something great out of them later. However, often there's a lack of time or desire and whoosh, the drawer is full. Implemented results = none. Therefore, the annual generous decluttering has become a fixed ritual in spring.

Unnecessary cleaners can be easily replaced with home remedies.

Which household cleaner should I use for which surface?

Limescale stains and rings: can be effectively removed with citric acid. For this purpose, cut a lemon in half and rub the affected areas with the cut side, then let it take effect. Lemon is also an odor-neutral choice for combating limescale. If the limescale rings are a bit more stubborn and the lemon couldn't remove everything? Then household vinegar is the better choice. Do not use vinegar essence! It is too aggressive and may damage the surface.

Would you like to make a lemon household cleaner in bulk?
This recipe is very suitable:

• Several bowls of lemons
• White household vinegar (not vinegar concentrate)

Pour into a screw-top jar or a glass spray bottle and let it infuse. It's important not to use a plastic bottle! The acid will leach components from the plastic over time. You certainly don't want that on your freshly wiped surfaces, do you?

For a one-time use of a lemon cleaner, you can also squeeze a lemon. Strain the juice through a sieve into an old cleaned spray bottle and add some liquid soap or dishwashing detergent. By spraying, you can treat larger areas in a time-saving manner. The added dishwashing detergent ensures that the surface tension is broken, allowing it to work better against limescale.

Shiny Surfaces: Require a gentle cleaning agent for delicate cleaning. Baking soda is very suitable for this purpose. Make a mixture of baking soda and water and fill it into an empty spray bottle. With this, you can spray windows, refrigerators, and doors, and everything will be cleaned without streaks.

Scouring milk or scouring powder, a versatile household cleaner

Scouring milk - hype from the 70s

Scouring milk became a common household item in the 1970s and remains an indispensable cleaning product. It is available in powder or liquid form. You don't have to rely on pre-made products; it can be mixed at home with just a few ingredients.

Use this for:

• 50 gr. baking soda
• 1 tbsp citric acid
• 1 tbsp of cornstarch (as anti-caking agent)

Mix all the ingredients and store it in a jar with a screw-top lid.

Make your own toilet cleaner. Affordable and free of environmentally harmful substances.

Make your own toilet cleaner - super easy!

Toilet cleaner can also be made super quickly from 3 ingredients.

• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp crystallized citric acid
• 10 ml liquid soap or dishwashing detergent
• 500 ml cold water
• about 100 ml of boiled water
• essential oil (optional)

Here's how to proceed:
Boil 100 ml of water and set aside to cool. In another pot, stir the cornstarch into 500 ml of cold water. Briefly bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Make sure a thick, milky substance is created. Stir citric acid into the previously boiled, cooled water. Stir until all the crystals have dissolved. Add 10 ml of dish soap. Combine the resulting liquid with the water-cornstarch mixture. Insoluble citrate forms when citric acid is heated. Therefore, make sure all liquids cool down to below 40 degrees Celsius before mixing them together. If you prefer scented toilet cleaner, you can add 5-10 drops of essential oil. Tea tree, lavender, or orange are very suitable. The cleaning effect is enhanced and the cleaner also acts against germs in the toilet. Now fill the gel into an empty bottle from the old toilet cleaner.

Clean floors with ease!

Clean floors: For this purpose, you can also make something yourself. Add baking soda and citric acid in a 1:1 ratio to the mop water and use it to clean acid-resistant floors and work surfaces. Don't forget to do a patch test in a small corner before you mop the entire floor with it for the first time. Additionally, floors should only be mopped lightly damp.

Gloves protect your hands while cleaning!

Attention please!

Do you have sensitive hands or are you particularly careful not to let your skin come into contact with any cleaning agents? Then you should also be cautious with natural home remedies and wear gloves. Because vinegar, citric acid, and the like can irritate the skin and respiratory tract.

Now you have a wealth of knowledge to tackle your spring cleaning without any purchased cleaners. Which day are you planning for it? This coming weekend? Then let's go!

You love lists and wish for one to print out? No problem! We have compiled a list that you can request from us. Write to us at info@speisekammer.app.

Speaking of decluttering

Clearing out food, hygiene products, and medications should not be an issue. Because with the managed items in your pantry app, you are always up to date. This allows for more time for things that are truly enjoyable.

If uninvited guests are spotted while thoroughly cleaning the kitchen, do not despair. In this case, our relevant blog post, which we have linked here can help. This way, you can approach the matter without panic.

Spring cleaning not just physical

Decluttering doesn't always have to refer to objects. Spring cleaning is also done in the app. This involves tidying up codes in the background and removing unnecessary legacy burdens.

We wish you lots of fun with your spring cleaning and until the next post,

your Alice