Fall and Autumn Cleaning Tips
Household, Gardening and other
fun tips for natural living
Tips without chemicals, health tips, gardening tips and more
From gardening to cleaning to natural remedies and just about everything in between, this is your resource for adapting natural family living practices into your life.
Dry Brushing
The skinny on skin brushing
Dry brushing is a great way to improve circulation, enhance the immune system, and revitalize the nervous system. It’s a great (and really cheap) treatment for cellulite and fluid-retention, lagging energy levels, and sore muscles. It will get rid of dead skin cells and allow your skin to breathe more efficiently, helping your body function more efficiently.
Start with a dry body brush or mitt made of natural fibres (such as loofah, jute or hemp) – these can be found in just about any natural grocery store or large drugstore. Start at the bottom (the soles of your feet) and work upwards with a gentle, circular massage always in the direction of the heart. Be sure to pay close attention to the rougher parts – the elbows and knees and feet – and always work towards the center of your body. Finish off with a shower or bath and enjoy the multitude of benefits your body will receive from incorporating this small self-care act into your daily routine.
Body brushes should be shaken out after each brushing session and washed with warm water and a gentle soap about once a week or so.
Cleaning for Your Body
A Cleansing Bath
Spring Cleaning isn’t just for houses. A good spring cleanse for the body will rejuvenate you physically, just as spring cleaning in the house lifts your spirits and clears your environment. Try this detoxifying bath to help your body dispose of toxins and soothe the skin. Start with a dry brushing of your skin. Use a natural loofah to rub your dry body, always in the direction towards the heart. Then enter a warm bath which has ½ pound of sea salt and one pound of baking soda added to it. Soak for at least 15 minutes. End with a vigorous toweling off and a light moisturizer such as the Pure Potent Wow Lavender Lotion.
Appliance Freshening
Fall Cleaning
It’s time for Fall Cleaning, but that doesn’t have to mean a plethora of chemicals that will leave your house looking cleaner but covered in noxious chemicals. Of course, remember too, that spring is a great time to get dirty outside, so don’t spend too much time indoors cleaning.
Keeping your household appliances in good working order will extend their life and save you and the environment the cost of new ones. Mineral deposits, soap and residue can accumulate in both your dishwasher and your washing machine. Clean both of these appliances once a year by running them through a full cycle while empty using just hot water and vinegar to clean. Cleaning your appliances this way will increase their efficiency and maybe even extend their life. This is a great spring cleaning activity, as you can start both of the washers and then head outside to dabble in the garden or enjoy a walk, reveling in the miracles of the season.
Common Concerns, Natural Approach
Splinters
As the days start to invite more outdoor exploration and activity, it’s a good idea to brush up on your natural first aid skills. Splinters are a very common occurrence around our place, with our preschooler being an avid wood worker as well as tree climber. Of course, when a 3 year old gets a sliver, he/she is highly unlikely to submit willing to the tweezer method if it takes too much time. Here are a few alternate ideas:
Honey:
For some reason, honey naturally draws out a splinter. Try smearing a layer of honey on and covering with a band-aid just before bed.
Pine Sap:
Pine sap works much like the honey method, but is a lot handier if you happen to be camping or hiking, Just smear it on and leave it and it should help the sliver work itself out.
Hiccup Help
With dill tea
Dill has been used to ease hiccups for hundreds of years. Pour one cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried dill, steep for about 10 minutes, strain and cool, then slowly sip your infusion. Viola! Your hiccups should cease and desist in short order.
Treating common concerns naturally
Headaches
They say the best cure is prevention and when it comes to headaches, that is certainly the case – especially for children. The two best preventative strategies for avoiding this irritating affliction is nutrition and stress management. Many headaches in children and adults are caused by lack of food or food allergies. If headaches seem to be recurring, keep an eye out for a food connection, and always keep lots of snacks and water on hand to keep hunger or dehydration headaches at bay.
If headaches seem stress induced, try to reduce the stress as much as possible and be sure to offer various means of stress reduction for you and your family. Talking issues out, regular exercise and loving touch all help kids and adults process stress.
When a headache does occur, consider using a smidgen of peppermint essential oil. Our peppermint healing balm is formulated specifically for use on headaches and is diluted enough to make it safe to apply directly to the skin – just massage a bit on the temples and take a minute to relax. Less intrusive to your body than a headache pill and usually just as effective.
If you get regular or severe headaches, consider contacting a chiropractor or massage therapist.
Boot Be Clean
To remove the salty residue that clings to your vinyl or leather shoes or boots from wintry walks in urban areas, wash them with a 1:1 vinegar, warm water solution. The vinegar will remove the salt without damaging your footwear.
Window Wash
window washing with ease
Recipe:
1 part white vinegar
1 part water
1-5 drops essential oil (lemon or orange are good additions, but any essential oil can be used to add a pleasant scent)
Mix in a spray bottle, spray onto windows, wipe with old newspapers for a streak-free shine. Alternatively, you can use this mix with a bucket and squeegee.
For more great Fall Cleaning tips, check out Clean House, Clean Planet
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