Clean it Up the Natural Way

If there's something you'll never hear me describe myself as, it's organic. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm generally a fan of planet earth, but I'm also a fan of all things processed. My body agrees: a couple of years ago I was diagnosed with Oral Allergy Syndrome, this completely awesome thing that comes from being a long term seasonal allergy sufferer. Basically, the things I'm allergic to transfer pollens into the skin of fruits and vegetables, making me allergic to them as well. I didn't always have this problem, but I can now barely eat any fresh fruits and veggies, including celery, carrots, apples, cucumbers, grapes, and tuna. That's right, tuna.

Ugh, no an apple a day for this girl...

It's not so bad, though. I was saved some of my favorites: salad (though I have to get the "honeymoon salad" as my step-dad calls it-lettuce alone. HA), strawberries, pineapple, and citrus fruit. And I can eat all the processed fruits and veggies I want, like juices and pies. Mmmmm...pie...

But, back to the point, I'm no all natural chick. Still, there's one thing I'm super stoked to be keeping all natural in our new home as much as possible: cleaning supplies!

I came across this post through Young House Love, this incredible blog I read (at least) once a day. It goes through all kinds of all-natural cleaners for all kinds of surfaces, including furniture polish, carpet stain remover, window cleaner, etc.

Now, when we got to our hotel room (with kitchenette and private bath) here in Alabama, I was not too impressed. The most important thing is that I got to spend this time with my husband, so I can deal with a little less than I'd like, but it's kind of, um, gross. My major issue was this beauty:

Check out that baby.

Uh, yeah. That's something. As someone who's had some lung issues in the past, like bronchitis and walking pneumonia, this was a bit terrifying. People have babies and little children in these rooms! While I couldn't do much to clean out the system, I at least wanted to do some superficial work. At first, I went looking for some kind of bleach cleaner, but started to think about the cost and effect. I didn't really want to buy a bleach cleaner, gloves, maybe even a mask that I'd have to bring back across the country. Then I remembered vinegar, oh glorious vinegar. I put together 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar and literally watched the mold *leak* down from the vent. That's not an exaggeration-I had to put some cardboard beneath it to prevent it from getting into the carpet. Ew. This is what I was left with:

It's nowhere near perfect, but I think it gave me at least the results I would have gotten with a bleach-based clean-up, without the harmful effects of the bleach. And it cost me about $1 or 2 for some vinegar and a spray bottle.

I'm actually really excited about going out and buying some spray bottles and supplies, saving money, and not having to worry about the effects my cleaners have on us, our pups, or, sometime in the future, any little ones.