Balance is everything
I've not gone overboard, though. I gather we could clean healthily and inexpensively, armed with only vinegar, baking soda, lemons and a dash of salt. But frankly, I don't want to slave over a baking-soda-sprinkled countertop clutching a lemon -- it's too close to my cooking methods.
Nor do I want to follow in the steps of my beloved grandmother, who raised her multi-child family without any E-Z chemical cleaners, but who did not become a happier, better person as a result. Her real loves were writing, gardening and baking -- all chemical-free. She would have been thrilled to discover, as I have, (chemical) laundry goop that removes stains with a few squirts.
But my approach to cleaning has altered. I still want to get it done and dusted ASAP -- life is full of enticing activities, and cleaning isn't among them. But hey, an extra 20 minutes to keep my household healthy? I'm there.
Are you like Jocelyn, or do you find satisfaction in scrubbing your home to a perfect shine? Take our quiz: What type of cleaner are you?
And don't fret about bacteria -- natural germ killers are just as effective as chemical-based products.
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