With spring officially around the corner, our team at Le Montreaux apartments in Austin, Tx, knows exactly what that means: It is Spring-Cleaning Season.

Luckily for most of us, all the things we need to clean our apartment without the harsh chemicals that are included in most cleaning agents, are right here in our kitchen.  Here is your list of items that will help you leave your apartment at Le Montreaux spic and span!

• Vinegar
• Baking Soda
• Lemon Juice
• Salt
• Borax (or similar product)
• Plastic Spray Bottle
• Clean Soft Cloths

By following the tips on how to naturally clean your apartment in North Austin, TX, below, you will end up with some simple and affordable ways to clean your carpets, bathrooms, windows, and kitchen, without the intrusion of chemical fumes.

White Vinegar

Place mixture of ¼ part vinegar and ¾ parts water into a spray bottle. Then get to work.  I have found this combination to work well to remove hard-water spots throughout by bathroom, and well into the kitchen where it works to remove the spots on my coffee pot and other glassware.  It is a good one to take with you when you are washing windows or need to get gooey stickers off products that you recently purchased. 

When it comes to cleaning drains, my neighbor told me about the power of White Vinegar or Cider Vinegar.  It is much better for your pipes than any of the more toxic products.

It is also great for getting any lime scales or stains on your sink, shower, or tub.

One more plug for the power of vinegar.  Mix a cup of vinegar with a few tablespoons of olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice – then go give your furniture a fresh and lemony dusting and polishing. 

Lemon Juice

I bet you have never thought about putting lemon juice in your wash machine.  Using a half cup of juice for every gallon of water will brighten those light and bright spring whites in no time.  For tougher stains on your clothes, or your countertops, just spray the juice (no water) right on the stain, let it sit, then wash or wipe it down.

We have also used lemon juice to clean our toilets.  Grab some baking soda and mix it with lemon juice – then use this paste to make your toilets lemony-fresh and clean.

If you are using lemons, and not the purchased lemon juice product, the juice from a fresh lemon works wonders in the fridge.  Just cut it in half and leave it on the shelf for a week or so.  You will know when it is time to toss it in the trash.

Baking Soda

Make a batch of this non-toxic abrasive cleaning product by mixing the baking soda with equal parts of salt.  

Apply the mixture on a wet sponge or cloth and head to the bathroom to spit-shine your sinks and tubs. 

This works wonders when cleaning your refrigerator.  Got fresh stains on the carpet?  Rub a bit on the spot, leave it for about an hour, then vacuum it out.  It should remove any unwanted smell as well.

One more note about baking soda – for your teeth.  Really!  Add a touch to your toothpaste then brush away!

Now that’s a shine that you can appreciate for years to come!