This post is about deep cleaning kitchen appliances… the ones we couldn’t live without! I would like to share how to spring clean your oven without harmful toxins or the huge amount of energy output spent to run a traditional self-clean oven cycle, plus your fridge and your dishwasher and other small appliances without chemicals.
Oven:
The oven is a hard-working appliance and it shows the efforts of its labour in the grease spots, burnt on food, forgotten splatters and well, you know what I mean. The Oven & Grill Cleaner, a Spirinett, an EnviroCloth and Cleaning Paste will be all you need to spring clean your stove.
Preheat your oven to lowest temperature – approximately 170 degrees – and leave your racks in, they need cleaning too.
Turn off oven.
Standing to the side of your oven, spray the Oven & Grill Cleaner all over the door, walls, racks and floor of oven. Please be careful to not spray the gasket mesh on the door. Use a Spirinett to evenly distribute the Oven & Grill Cleaner. With the door fully open, let stand for 5 minutes. The enzyme cleaner will work to dissolve any roasted chicken or lasagna that escaped its dish.
Remove racks and place in sink. Using a Spirinett, scrub down the entire oven and then the racks.
Wipe clean with a well-wrung EnviroCloth. Your oven will shine and you will be able to see through the window again. A four-hour toxic process just became a half hour environmentally-and-canary-friendly process! Done!
Note: As you know, this is a dirty job and may stain your EnviroCloth. Remember to rinse your EnviroCloth well.
Now for the rest of your stove:
For the hood fan, remove your silver filter and place in the sink with hot water and a few tablespoons of Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent for 5 minutes. It will be shiny and look new. Use a dab of Cleaning Paste and an EnviroCloth to clean the rest of the hood. Wipe clean with a well-wrung EnviroCloth.
Use a dab of Cleaning Paste and a SpiriSponge to scrub any stove top. It will leave it clean and shiny without a scratch. For removable elements, soak the catchers in hot water and then use a dab of Cleaning Paste and SpiriSponge to scrub clean. Wipe down stove top and knobs with a well-wrung EnviroCloth.
Remove all your items from the bottom drawer. First vacuum up crumbs and wipe clean with a well-wrung EnviroCloth.
Remove drawer and vacuum the debris from beneath your stove and use your Wet Mop Pad to clean the floor before replacing the drawer.
For the sides of your stove, spray 2 squirts of water on the thick tassel side of your EnviroWand and wipe between your stove and cupboards. Done!
Note: This method can be used in your toaster oven too.
Fridge:
I recommend spring cleaning your fridge the day before grocery day. That way your fridge is as empty as it gets and there is less to move in and out.
Remove items from fridge.
Discard expired items and recycle empty containers.
Remove drawers and wash in the sink with warm water and a squirt of Dishwashing Liquid.
Wipe down all the shelves and walls of your fridge starting from the top to allow the crumbs to collect on the bottom. For sticky spots use a little Cleaning Paste and SpiriSponge to remove, for dirty edges and tough-to-get spots use the sharp SpiriSponge edge to loosen and for scuffs use a small square of the Micro Cleaning Hand Pad and scrub clean.
To clean the fridge door, remove the door compartments and wash in warm water with a squirt of Dishwashing Liquid, use an EnviroCloth to wipe the entire door.
Replace all compartments. Replace all your food.
Repeat the process for the inside of your freezer.
To clean the outside of your fridge, grab your Enviro Wand and give it 2 squirts of water on the thick tassel side, run the wand up the side of your fridge, over the top and back down the other side.
To clean your water dispenser area, spray with Descaler, let sit for a few minutes, scrub with a SpiriSponge and wipe clean with an EnviroCloth.
To clean the floor beneath your fridge, spray 2 squirts of water on the thick tassel side of the EnviroWand and slide all the dirt, debris, pencils and pieces of lego from beneath your fridge.
Lastly, wipe down the front of your fridge with an EnviroCloth and polish with a Window Cloth. For door handle smudges (on white appliances), cut a square of the Micro Cleaning Hand Pad and give it a scrub. Done!
Another Option: You can pull your oven and fridge out from the wall. Using your well-wrung EnviroCloth you can wipe down the sides and the surrounding cupboards and walls. Vacuum vents/coils. Clean floor with the Wet Mop Pad.
Now with the two toughest appliances clean… we can move on to some easier appliances.
Dishwasher:
This well-loved, often over-stuffed appliance needs a spring clean too.
Wipe the door edge with a well-wrung EnviroCloth to clean all the drips.
For any hard water/calcium build up or rust, spray with Descaler and scrub with a SpiriSponge to remove.
To maintain a shiny dishwasher, reduce the amount of detergent and keep your glasses from getting cloudy, place a Magnet Ball in the cutlery department. If you already have one, stuff a kid sock through the centre of the ball to clean. Done!
Coffee Pot:
Use a dab of Cleaning Paste and a SpiriSponge to clean your pot. Even if you thought there was no hope… the Cleaning Paste will remove all the coffee stains and make your pot shiny and look new.
Wipe the outside of your machine with a well-wrung EnviroCloth. Done!
Microwave:
Wipe down entire unit with a well-wrung EnviroCloth. Polish with Window Cloth.
Spray two squirts of water on your Enviro Wand and remove dust from beneath your microwave. Done!
Now that you have started, look how much you have gotten done! This kitchen is such a great place and now it just got better.
Did you know that this Friday is World Environment Day? Did you know that by cleaning with Norwex you drastically reduce your environmental footprint in our world. Keep up the good work and Happy World Environment Day!
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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.
I have been known to say, “If you don’t get started, you will never get done!” This is true about many things in life and especially true about spring cleaning. I grew up on a farm where we had a row of beautiful lilac bushes. Each spring they were one of the first flowers to bloom. Their beauty and scent not only reminds me of the spring but also the time to get spring cleaning. The kitchen is the best place to start because it is the high-traffic hub of our homes where we gather for meals, smell coffee in the morning, share stories of the day to connect with our family and of course where we raid the pantry.
Also, it is a place where we work hard and make our appliances work harder, often feel crumbs beneath our feet, know there are forgotten spills, crusted-on spots and greasy areas. For all these reasons, we will start spring cleaning our kitchens.
Cupboard Tops – Attach your EnviroWand to the Mop System handle and bend your EnviroWand to the width of your cupboards, spray the thick tassel side of the wand with 2 squirts of water and wipe across the tops of your cupboards. For heavy grease spots, use a dab of Cleaning Paste and scrub with a Spirisponge and wipe with a well-wrung EnviroCloth. Done!
Cupboard Doors – Use your EnviroCloth to wipe down the fronts, backs, sides and knobs. If you have debris in the nooks and crannies, use the sharp Spirisponge edge to loosen and simply wipe off. Finish by polishing your door fronts with a Window Cloth. Done!
Cupboards – This spring break I enlisted my girls for help! I asked them to choose two cupboards per day to clean. They chose to work from smallest to largest!!! They did a fantastic job with just water and an EnviroCloth. I will give you the same instructions I gave them:
Remove Items.
Discard expired items.
Recycle any empty containers.
Wipe down cupboard shelves, edges and walls with a well-wrung EnviroCloth.
To remove scuff marks, cut a small square of the Micro Clean Hand Pad and give it a scrub. Wipe clean with an EnviroCloth.
Replace items.
Repeat.
Done!
Tip for utensil drawers:
Vacuum drawer after removing utensils.
Use a Micro Clean Hand Pad to remove scuffs in your utensil try and wipe clean with an EnviroCloth. Done!
4. Back Splash & Counter Top – Remove items from your kitchen counter. Wipe your back splash and counter tops with a well-wrung EnviroCloth. If your grout is grungy use a dab of Clean Paste and scrub with a Spirisponge, wipe clean with EnviroCloth. Done!
5. Sink – Clean the sink basin with a dab of Cleaning Paste and the scrub with a Spirisponge. Spray the edge around your sink and the base of your faucet with Descaler. Let sit for a few minutes and scrub with an old toothbrush. Wipe clean with an EnviroCloth. Pour two tablespoons of Descaler into a plastic baggie and submerge faucet head, secure with an elastic. Let sit for a few hours. Use the sharp Spirisponge edge to remove build up. Wipe down sink and faucet with EnviroCloth. It will smile back at you. Done!
Now go out and enjoy the spring flowers, you have accomplished the start of your spring clean! Check back next week when we will tackle the home appliances.
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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.
The first Norwex product I owned was the Window Cloth, it didn’t take me long to use it wrong. The cloth didn’t come with any instructions, so I used it with Windex. I thought I was being environmentally-friendly by not using paper towel with my Windex. Needless to say, my windows and mirrors were a mess.
The Window Cloth is now one of my favourite products and I give it as a gift to bless other homes. It is often the first product customers will try and love!
What Can It Clean?
Windows / Mirrors
Shower Doors / Glass Tables
Crystal / Jewelry
Granite Counter-tops
Stainless Steel and Black Appliances
Chrome / Knickknacks
Patio Tables
Shiny Surfaces
It is woven with the superior microfiber embedded with the Norwex exclusive BacLock™ agent. The BacLock in the cloth goes to work to self-purify and inhibits odors from bacteria, mold and mildew growth within the cloth.
How To Use:
Mist water on the surface and wipe with the Window Cloth.
For dirty surfaces, first wipe the surface with a damp EnviroCloth and polish dry with the Window Cloth.
*Note: Do not use on anti-glare coated surfaces.
Getting your windows clean quickly is not easy. Using paper towels to dry the glass around your home just adds to the problem of overloaded landfills and deforestation. In addition, many of today’s popular glass and window cleaners contain harmful chemicals like butyl cellosolve and ammonia.
Did You Know?
Butyl cellosolve is a chemical commonly found in glass cleaners. Readily absorbed through the skin, overexposure can irritate mucous membranes and may cause liver and kidney damage.
Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.
While we may not see the impact of our decisions now, our children and grandchildren certainly will. We need to develop a mindset of change for the better, and it is for this reason that I love my job! Like John Muir, I find that, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” Our choices today, are writing our future.
Here is an eye opening study done by Simon Fraser University, their finding are remarkable. Watch: Little Things Matter: The Impact of Toxins on the Developing Brain.
It is my heart’s desire is to make a difference, one home at a time. In 2006, no one in my community had a clue what Norwex was. But back then, our hospitals, nursing homes and health care workers were struggling with a Norwalk virus outbreak. So, when I would say “Norwex”, they would ask “Norwalk?” Literally no one knew what Norwex was, it was unheard of.
However, Norwex is now becoming a common household brand name! I am delighted to do presentations for all types of families. I have grandparents putting away their traditional window-cleaning sprays, mothers and fathers abandoning their use of paper towels and young couples wanting to set up their new homes with ONLY Norwex products.
Young brides were teenage girls less than a decade ago, attending their mother’s first Norwex presentations when I first began as a consultant. Now, they are ready to start families of their own, and Norwex is the only way they want to clean their homes. It is my goal to educate this upcoming generation, and show them they are able to clean effectively without the use of harmful chemicals!
I am just one person, but my one shift to switch to the Norwex product line, is now linked to thousands of home across North America who have now made the same shift. That is humbling. One person can make a difference. I never would have guessed that my desire to teach others would have this ripple effect. You can have the same impact as Norwex is underrepresented across North America. You have your own contacts, friends and family whom you can educated. Join my team today! I would be happy to train you. How many homes will you give the gift of Norwex to? How will you impact their quality of life?
The testimonials which Norwex consultants receive weekly from their customers are evidence that these products are positively impacting the environments of those using them. One of my greatest satisfactions is knowing that our girls have no recollection of toxic cleaning chemicals in our home. When they help me at Tradeshows, they explain that the mop pad we are currently using in our home, is the original one we purchased over 10 years ago… and it still works!
Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.
Getting all of the surfaces in your home as clean as possible, as quickly as possible, can be challenging. In addition, many of today’s popular cleaners contain harsh chemicals. One would assume that since they are sold in our local stores that they were tested and are safe to use.
I was shocked to learn that; “About 80,000 new chemicals have been introduced into the environment in the last 50 years. Sadly, only about 200 of these have ever been assessed for their impact on human health.” Bjorn Nicolaisen (co-founder of Norwex)
When first introduced to Norwex, I was intrigued and excited, but my husband was the skeptic. Hearing that Norwex EnviroCloths could clean the surfaces in my home without the need for additional chemical cleaning products was foreign to me. On top of that, the claim that I could clean my home in a quarter of the time seemed too good to be true. But, I loved a clean home and was more than willing to remove the chemical cleaning products from where I was raising my young family.
What differentiates the two is how “micro” the fibers in the Norwex cloth are. The cloths available at your local store generally have a fiber size of approximately 1/6 the size of a human hair while the EnviroCloth fibers are 1/200th the diameter of a human hair. It is how “micro” the fibers are that determines the cleaning ability of your cloth. If we were to completely unravel an EnviroCloth, the 2.9 million meters of microfiber would reach all the way from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada right down to the Gulf of Mexico!
As incredible as that is, there is still more cleaning ability contained within the cloth! The Envirocloth has BacLock™ in the cloth – micro silver antibacterial agent – that goes to work to self-purify and inhibit odors from bacteria, mold and mildew growth within the cloth. This self-purification process ensures the cloth is ready to use again within 24 hours.
The Norwex Microfiber has the ability to remove up to 99% of bacteria from a surface when following the proper care and use instructions. The super-absorbent cloths pick up and trap everything that was on the surface until you rinse it out.
Our family was totally sold on the Norwex product collection when we learned the cloths were already being used to clean hospitals. It was this simple; if these cloths cleaned to a level high enough to pass the stringent testing required to be used at the hospital, they certainly were good enough for our home!
Key Benefits:
Cuts cleaning time by up to 75% by using only water.
No need for harmful chemicals.
Saves money by using only water.
Eliminates the need for paper towels, creating less waste.
Used them dry for dusting, it creates static electricity that lifts the smallest particles of dust and dirt up into the cloth and prevents them from resettling on the surfaces.
Did You Know?
Norwex Microfiber products are created in state-of-the-art factories with optimal working conditions. Check out my posts about China.
Most paper towels are bleached and then patterned with dyes. Drying your hands with them can leave your skin rough and cracked.
Warranty:
Two Year Warranty
60-Day Money Back Guarantee
As a leader, I was very selective in naming our Team. My group of consultants are located throughout North America are called: “The Solution Team.” Norwex is the solution! You’ll clean safely, quickly and thoroughly, using super-absorbent EnviroCloths. You’ll save time, money and the environment by using only water to clean your home. You will reduce landfill waste, prevent chemicals from getting into our waterways and protect your family’s health as you minimize dust, allergens and chemicals in your home!
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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.
