This is the time of year we tend to be the most focused on health and wellness, thanks to the tradition of New Year’s Resolutions and the merciful slowing-down of our lives post-holidays. Once all those celebration leftovers are gone and the fridge starts to fill up with nutritious fruits and veggies and whole grains, it’s a good time to think about cleansing your appliance as well as your body.

But do you really want to use conventional spray cleaners with their chemicals and artificial smells—or, worse, use bleach on the surfaces your food lives on day in and day out? And how to get out those nasty spills and stains? (Where do those come from, anyway?)

Good news: an edible item that you probably already have in your fridge is the perfect way to clean up the mess and get rid of any lingering odors: baking soda. Baking soda is a natural abrasive that, by the way, is also great for cleaning out your oven or bathroom.

Cleaning the interior of your refrigerator is not a small project, but with a little bit of organization and focus, you can do it quickly and waste as little electricity (and food) as possible. Here’s how:

Step 1

Pull everything out, quickly, and stack it on the counter.

Step 2

Remove drawers and shelves and close the fridge door while you fill up the sink with warm soapy water and let them soak.

Step 3

Add about ½ cup of baking soda to a bowl or pail of warm water (as hot as you can tolerate; wear gloves if it helps).

Step 4

Use a clean rag to scrub the inside of your fridge with the baking soda mixture, and another clean, dry rag to wipe it down after.

Step 5

Scrub down your shelves and drawers with the water/baking soda mix and then dry them off.

Step 6

Place everything back in much more neatly, and with renewed dedication to keeping your fridge, and your health, in order!

It’s been a mild winter for many of us, but that doesn’t mean we’re not giddily anticipating spring. On the next warm day, try opening your bedroom windows and airing out your sleeping space. And here are some tips for keeping your bedding fresh, clean and sanitary so you can count sheep, healthy and worry-free.

1. Your mattress should be aired out twice a year. If you have the space, it’s a great idea to bring the mattress out into the sunshine for a few hours (UV rays kill mold and mildew)… then don’t forget to flip it over when you put it back on the bed. If you can’t bring it outside, another option is to prop your mattress up in a well-ventilated room and open all the windows for a few hours.
2. Then, vacuum your mattress to eliminate dust, mites and dead skin.
3. Wash your pillows in the bathtub (or on gentle cycle in the machine, if they’re down) with some mild liquid detergent, then put them in the dryer with a brand new, clean tennis ball to fluff them back up.
4. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to wash not just your sheets, but all your bedding — including quilts, blankets and mattress covers.
5. While your bed is dismantled, it’s a great idea to vacuum those hard-to-reach spots underneath!
6. A spritz of diluted essential oils makes a great air freshener. You can buy essential oils at Whole Foods and most natural markets and pharmacies.  Simply mix 20-30 drops in a glass spray bottle with water, and use to freshen up your sleeping quarters with the aroma of your choice. We particularly like: lavender (it has a calming effect — the better for sleeping), peppermint (it’s cooling and sweet), and eucalyptus (an invigorating, sinus-clearing scent!).

It’s a big job, but the benefits are worth it. You’ll sleep better (and who knows, maybe even snore a little less!) with clean, cared-for bedding.

This is the time of year when we leave the chaos of the holidays behind and start to think about how we can simplify and improve our lives for the year ahead. What better resolutions to make than ones that benefit our health, our home, and the planet?  With that in mind, here are five ideas for ways you can pledge to make positive choices in the year ahead:

1. Choose products with less ingredients. This goes for food (ideally avoiding processed foods), cosmetics/bodycare products, and cleaning products. Replace at least some of your cleaning products with good old-fashioned vinegar and water. Avoid bleach when you can.
2. Throw out your Teflon pans! Teflon, for so long a popular nonstick option, is now known to emit toxic fumes when scratched and heated. Consider cast iron instead.
3. Trade in your mattress and bedding for organic options. If you can’t quite afford a whole new mattress just yet, consider buying an organic cotton mattress topper and organic cotton sheets.
4. Use filtered tap water instead of bottled. Less plastic waste, less chance of contaminants.
5. Think about what you’re stocking your kitchen with. Eating local, sustainable, organic foods whenever possible is better for your body and the community you live in. Localfoodswheel.com sells a handy tool to help you figure out what’s local and seasonal in your area.

Happy new years from all of us at Greenforce!

Even those of us who prefer to use natural, non-toxic products still occasionally reach for the “real stuff” when we are serious about cleaning. Case in point: when going after germs. No one likes getting sick.

But the truth is, there are natural alternatives to the chemical-based cleaning products that we grew up with and constantly see advertised on T.V. Stores like Whole Foods and even some mainstream groceries now carry alternative product lines that are better for the environment and for your body.

You can take it a step further and make your own disinfectant spray for very little effort and cost.

Certain herbs and natural substances have been used as antiseptics since ancient times. In fact, their natural antiseptic properties helped popularize the use of such herbs as lavender, mint, and thyme. Window boxes full of these fragrant herbs aren’t just a nice way to supplement your home cooking — they can actually freshen the air and keep insects at bay. And essential oils culled from these and other plants have potent antiseptic effects. The trick is to use these essential oils in the right amounts and combinations — otherwise they can be ineffective or, worse, toxic.

Here’s one great antibacterial spray that’s easy to make, smells amazing, and does the job quite nicely:

• 2 1/2 cups water

• 10 drops sweet orange essential oil

• 5 drops lavender essential oil

• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Mix them together in a spray bottle, and go! You can use this one for cleaning countertops, bathrooms, and cutting boards. Essential oil sprays should last a long time if stored in a cool, dark place.