If you’re like me, the best thing about having professional house cleaning is coming home after a long day, opening the door and enjoying the fresh, clean scent of your home. However, when your home is smelling less-than-clean, and housing cleaning day is a few days off, I have just the solution.
Chemical air fresheners may smell okay, but the risk of spraying chemicals all around your house doesn’t seem worth the reward of a nice scent. Artificial fragrances can be harmful to your health, and rarely smell as good as the real thing. Burning candles may also work, but for those of us with children and pets, candles and other fragrance warmers aren’t always a safe option either. Not to mention that burning candles can also degrade your indoor air quality.
Now, opening the windows for a while is certainly a low-cost and environmentally-friendly way to freshen your home. However, with the Kansas City heat blasting like a furnace (hello 105°), that option doesn’t sound so great. Not to mention that many Kansas City and Johnson County residents experience allergies and asthma on high-pollen and high ozone days that we have in June, July and August. Opening the windows can let in allergens that we’d rather keep out.
So, for a simple, effective, easy and inexpensive air freshener that is non-toxic , the Green Clean Maid Service team recommends a simple combination of baking soda and essential oils.
Let’s Make It!
Simply pour a half cup of baking soda in a small bowl or pretty container with an open top. If you want to get crafty (and prevent spills), use a small canning jar with a lid. Use a hammer and nail to poke several small holes in the lid.
Mix in 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil and place the bowl in any area prone to stinky odors, such as the kitchen, bathroom, or the closet where you store shoes or sporting equipment.
Citrus essential oils, such as orange or lemongrass oil, smell especially clean and fresh in the summertime. Lavender essential oil is always a favorite, and has a calming, relaxing effect. Make sure to use real essential oils and not a fragrance oil, which might have unwanted chemicals.
Baking soda is very inexpensive, and you probably already have a box in your cupboard. It absorbs odors naturally and is safe to use for many house cleaning tasks.
Essential oils are readily available at natural grocers, such as Whole Foods (in Overland Park, at 6621 W. 119th St. or 7401 West 91st St.) and in the natural section of the regular grocery store. A small bottle shouldn’t be too pricey, since the oil is concentrated it will last you a long time.
And, if your home needs a little more TLC, call or e-mail Camille at (913) 207-8677 to set up a house cleaning appointment. From Grandview to Gardner, the Green Clean house cleaning team will have your home smelling fresh and clean.