The truth about natural cleaning products

The truth about natural cleaning products

With society becoming more aware of the positive impacts of choosing green at home and in the workplace, it’s no wonder ‘natural cleaning’ has skyrocketed in popularity. While it may have joined the rank of ‘clean eating’ and ‘clean beauty,’ it’s certainly not just a buzzword. Natural cleaning is a mainstream alternative for everyone from every-day families to mindful office cleaners wanting to avoid the harmful consequences of traditional products. If you’ve ever wondered if natural cleaning is for you, then read on as we dish up the truth.

Natural cleaning can be less expensive

Contrary to popular belief, natural cleaning doesn’t have to be expensive. There are a lot of reasonably priced natural cleaners in your local Coles and Woolworths that are giving traditional cleaners a run for their money. Alternatively, you can scour the online world for discounts or flash sales from stores like biome and flora&fauna. If you want to take things into your own hands, you can even DIY your own natural cleaning products from home!

You can make it yourself

You can make your own natural cleaners using common supermarket ingredients like bicarbonate of soda, castile soap, white vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, essential oils, salt and more. All-purpose cleaner can be made by combining equal parts white vinegar and water, toilet cleaner can be made with bicarbonate of soda and a few shakes of essential oils, water and lavender essential oil can be combined to make air freshener, and white vinegar can be used on its own to tackle mould and mildew.

Natural cleaners are better for the environment

When you use traditional cleaning products, harmful chemicals are being released into the environment. But something you may not know is that these products are often manufactured in such a way that hurts the environment as well. On the other hand, most natural cleaning companies seek to make their products in a way that benefits the environment. They also often use recyclable packaging to minimise waste.

You can enjoy better air quality

There’s nothing worse than cleaning your house or office with chemical-filled products only to have an unpleasant odour hang around for the rest of the day. Not only is this uncomfortable but it’s also harmful to your health. Natural cleaning products are often made with essential oils that are not only safe to breathe in, but can also be really good for you! These products leave your home or office feeling fresh and you breathing easy. Of course, great air quality shouldn’t just be reserved for the home. If you work full time, it’s likely that you spend most of your week in an office. If your workplace uses commercial cleaners, it might be well worth asking them to get on board with natural cleaning products too.

You can be confident in the ingredients

Ammonia, chlorine, perchloroethylene, triclosan and phthalate - these are all names of traditional cleaning ingredients that are extremely harmful to your health. These chemicals can cause irritation, respiratory issues and interfere with your hormones, eek! The worst part is that manufacturers don’t always disclose all of the ingredients that they include in their products. Unlike traditional products, natural cleaning solutions steer clear of these harmful toxins. When you choose natural cleaning products, you can be confident knowing that you’re not using any of these nasties in your home or workplace.

There are fewer risks

When using conventional chemical-filled cleaning products, you run the risk of getting toxic ingredients in your eyes, lungs or on your skin. It’s important that you wear protective gear, including a fask mask, long gloves and appropriate clothing to keep yourself safe. However, you won’t run into the same risks with natural cleaning products, because they aren’t harmful to your health.

You’re protecting those you care about the most

If your family members or colleagues have a tough time with allergies, sensitive skin or asthma, you might find that you’re continually running into problems with traditional cleaning products. But by making the switch to natural cleaning products, you’re choosing a solution that’s free from toxic dyes and fragrances. Most importantly, you can clean confidently, knowing that you’re looking after everyone’s health.

There are certainly some strange misconceptions about natural cleaning products that are floating around the web. But we hope that by revealing the truth, you understand that there is so much more than meets the eye. Natural cleaning certainly isn’t a hippy term or buzzword, but it’s truly a lifestyle that benefits the world around you and those who matter the most.

Small Laundry Ideas

In a perfect world, we'd all have a big and spacious laundry with plenty of room to clean, dry, iron and fold. But it turns out that small laundries can be just as good as a big one. Even if you're living in a small house or apartment with limited space you can still have a super fresh laundry. Check out some of these small laundry ideas.

Laundry in the cupboard

Isn't it funny how small homes seems to have heaps of excess cupboard space? I can't tell you how many times I've visited someone or booked an Airbnb that has heaps of cupboard space in a small apartment or house. An unused, spacious cupboard provides the perfect place to create secret laundry. Check this one out. Dryer on top, washer and the bottom and shelving for storage. They've even plumbed a sink for hand-washing!Small Laundry Ideas - Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

Pop it in the bathroom

There's no rule against making the most out of your bathroom and popping the laundry in there. Make some space for a washing machine below your vanity or create a new space for it.Small Laundry Ideas - Adelaide Vanities

Laundry under the stairs

Not just for Harry Potter hay?! Setting up your washer and dryer in the space which would otherwise be filled with dusty board games and old cleaning products is a killer plan.Laundry Bench top Adelaide - Small Laundry Ideas

Shed laundry room

Okay, it's not small, but how cool is this?! A purpose bought shed for a laundry room. Painted in a fresh, crisp, linen white and pale blue. LOVE!Laundry room renovations - Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

Kitchen laundry closet

Clear out your kitchen cupboards to make space for a laundry closet.Laundry room renovation - Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

DIY washer and dryer surround

If you happen to have your washer and dryer floating around somewhere in your home. Try this DIY surround![embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3S-wfQRHSM[/embed]

4 Lawnless Gardens To Inspire You!

"I love mowing the lawn." Said no one ever. Okay, I know a few people who like mowing the lawn, but not many. If you've got the space for a lawn, great! But not everyone has space or time to maintain it. Thankfully there are heaps of gorgeous lawnless gardens out there. Here are some lawnless gardens to inspire you.

A Pot Plant Garden

There's nothing cuter than a pot plant garden. Fill up your back garden with a variety of flowers that are easy to grow an manage. Incorporate hanging plants to spread the greenery. You could even try a vertical herb wall.Lawnless gardens to inspire you!

A Veggie Garden

Turn your backyard into your very own veg grocer. Sprinkle mulch or tree bark on the ground and use raised planters to set up your veggie patches.Read: Low maintenance outdoor plantsLawnless gardens to inspire you

Tiled

A tiled courtyard is easy to maintain.  Use pot plants and wall creepers to bring the area to life! Add a bench or table and chairs and make it the perfect outdoor space to catch up with friends and family.Read: DIY outdoor area ideasLawness gardens to inspire you!

Rock out with a rock garden!

No lawn? No worries! Rocks and stones look super cool in a back garden and require no maintenance.Lawness gardens to inspire you!

Tips for Organising Kitchen Utensils

It's time to turn THIS...

Tips for Organising Your Kitchen Utensils

Into THIS!

Tips for Organising Your Kitchen Utensils

Ever opened a drawer and stuck your hand in there to find a spoon and knicked yourself on a knife? I know I have! If only the host had organised their kitchen utensils better. Perhaps people just don't know how? Never fear! Here are our tips for organising your kitchen utensils.

HACK! Start by getting rid of broken, damaged, ineffective or unused utensils. Remember! The less you have, the easier it is to keep things organised. 

Drawer Dividers

The quickest and easiest way to get more organisation is to place drawer dividers. You can get these from Ike, Kmart or even better, get in touch with custom woodworkers on Etsy. We love HeyBluey Woodworking and Happy Place Creations. Check what utensils you have before purchasing your drawers so you know how many to get.

Tips for Organising Your Kitchen Utensils

Utensil Holders

Another quick and easy way to sort your utensils is to get a utensil holder. These come in all types of materials from stainless steel through to ceramic, bamboo and plastic (try not to buy plastic.) The with these is not to fill them up too much, if you do, you'll be back to square one. Get rid of what you don't need and just have one of each (x1 ladle, x1 flipper, x1 wooden spoon, etc.)

Tips for Organising Your Kitchen Utensils

Utensils Wall Rack

We love these hanging wall racks! However, we can only really seeing these be used in a student apartment or for a couple OR small family who live a minimalist life.

Utensil Rack

Utensil Peg Board

Genius! Tag a pegboard and turn it into a utensil holder. This would look great in a restaurant for aesthetics too.

Utensils Peg Board

We hope you found out kitchen utensil organisation tips helpful! Happy organising :)

DIY Outdoor Area Ideas

We love finding affordable DIY ways to upgrade your outdoor area. If you've got the space but don't have the budget, this blog is for you! Here are some DIY outdoor area ideas to turn your outdoor area into a space you want to be.

READ: Tips for making your outdoor area cosy. 

READ: Semi-permanent outdoor are decor ideas. 

Pallet day bed

Timber pallets are an absolute Godsend! They are versatile and can be turned in beds, coaches, tables and verticle garden walls. Did we mention they are FREE?! Check out Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace for free pallets to use for your outdoor area

Turn a pallet into an outdoor daybed. You can either stack the pallet beds on top of one another as is or for a more high-end look sand them down, nail them together and paint them. They make a great day bed/seating area for you and your guests. Top the day bed with pillows, cushions and rugs.

TIP: Add wheels to your pallet day bed to move it out the way or to a chase the sun!

DIY Outdoor Area Ideas - Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

Wooden Crate Side Tables

Upcycle old wooden crates into a table, side tables or storage boxes. The beauty of these is that they look great in a rustic style which means you don't have to sand, paint and/or varnish it if you don't want to.

Image result for crate side table outdoor

Mason Jar Lights

Grab some fairy lights and place them in some old mason jars to light up your outdoor area. Cost effective and oh so romantic!

DIY Outdoor Area Ideas - Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

READ: Outdoor Kitchen Lighting Tips

Low Maintenance Pot Plants

Decorate your outdoor area with nature's beauty! Find some low maintenance pot plants or herbs to decorate your outdoor area. Pansies and violas, palms and herbs like mint and Rosemarie are easy to take care of. If you have some leftover pallets you can create a vertical garden wall.

DIY Outdoor Area Ideas | Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

Upcycled Furniture

Got any old furniture you were thinking of throwing out? Dust them off. Give them a wipe and chuck some chalk paint onto them. Chalk paint is brilliant. You don't need to prime or sand the wood beforehand which is great.

DIY Outdoor Area Ideas | Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

5 Marvellous Mantelpiece Decorations

There are few things as wonderful as snuggling up near a warm and crackling fire in winter. Fireplaces bring warmth and comfort to your lounge room and deserve to be decorated. Mantelpieces are a great space to display some decor or add interest to the room. Here are five marvellous mantelpiece decorations we love. Which is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

A simple mirror above your mantelpiece can make the room look bigger and decorate the space. There are no rules when it comes to picking out a mirror for your mantelpiece, although we will say that it probably deserved something a bit unique or grand (as opposed to a standard square frame.) Like this branch/antler inspired circular mirror.

Mantelpiece Decoration - Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

Naked with Nature

A simple but effective way to decorate your mantelpiece is to add some flowers. It's up to you whether you'd like fresh flowers or synthetic flowers that will last forever. Choose a vintage vase and some artificial flowers for the minimalist look or choose your favourite pot plants to decorate the space.

Decorating Mantelpiece

Mantelpiece Memories

You can't go wrong with framed photos on your mantelpiece. As a main focal point in the room, your favourite Kodak moments will be clearly visible to warm your heart and home.

Mantelpiece Decorations

Time for a Fire

Decorate your mantelpiece with a clock. Make sure the clock takes up a decent amount of space making it a real statement in the room. Select a clock that suits the style of the rest of the room. We love the vintage look!

Mantelpiece Decorations

Book Warm

Perfect for book worms. Books are useful and decorative. Stack up your books side by side or on top of each other to decorate your mantelpiece.

Mantelpiece Decorations

Laundry Storage Ideas

We were pleased to hear such positive feedback on our last blog, READ: Laundry Room Make Over Ideas, that we decided to give you some more fresh laundry room tips! Here are some terrific laundry storage ideas to keep your laundry neat and tidy.

Fold away drying racks

We're obsessed with this idea! Run out of space in your laundry and need extra places to hang clothes? Looking for somewhere to hang clothes on a rainy day or for drying your delicates? Add some fold away drying racks to the wall or the back of your door. Genius! Check out this DIY video on how to build your own fold away drying rack.

Laundry Storage Ideas - Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

Indoor clothesline

If you've got some space between cupboards, rig up a simple wooden or tension pole to create extra hanging space in the room. Simple, easy and oh so effective.

Laundry storage room ideas - Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

Laundry storage baskets

Storage baskets keep your laundry bits and bobs hidden away, creating a neat, tidy and minimalist space. This is an easy and cost-effective way to create additional storage in your laundry room.

Laundry Storage Ideas - Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

Somewhere for the lost laundry

Everyone needs a place for the single socks to hang. We love this 'lost socks' sign. You can DIY your own or browse through a great selection on Etsy.

Laundry Storage Ideas - Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

Verticle drying racks

Veritlce drying racks are great for smaller laundries that can't accommodate a wide horizontal rack. These can be attached to the wall and pulled out as needed.

Laundry Storage Ideas - Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

Something for the pooches

If your pup likes to keep you company while you do the laundry, why not give him his own little kennel in there?

Laundry Storage Room Ideas - Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens

Laundry Room Makeover Ideas

Let's face it. No one likes spending time in the laundry. But what if you transformed your dark and dingy laundry room into a beautiful space to enjoy the cathartic clothes cleaning experience? Our theory: the nicer you make your laundry room, the less tedious laundry will seem. Here are our laundry room makeover ideas.

Make it light

Use light colours to make your laundry calm, peaceful and welcoming. Avoid dark colours that make the room feel pokey and dingy. If you have a window in your laundry room, keep it open for fresh air and give the blinds a miss. This room deserves lots of natural light.

Laundry Room Makeover Ideas - Laundry Sinks Adelaide

Build from the ground up

Older homes tend to have those brown tiles from the 1970s. The floor alone created a dreary atmosphere in the laundry. Start by replacing dark tiles with light ones. Polished concrete flooring is also a popular choice for modern, revamped laundries. Contact us here to find out more about our polished concrete projects. You can paint over ceramic tiles if you like, however, this will require a bit of work. You'll need to clean, sand and remove dust from the tiles before carefully painting the tiles with Epoxy or Latex paint. Laminated wooden flooring also looks gorgeous, although be mindful that this flooring can lift if there's any water damage in the room.

Laundry Room Makeover Ideas - Laundry Sinks Adelaide

Storage space

Like any area in the home, keeping it tidy will help inspire you to be in that space. If you don't have cupboard space, keep your laundry room organised with storage baskets for your cleaning products. Shelving also comes in handy to keep the space organised.

Laundry Room Makeover Ideas - Laundry Sinks Adelaide

Spacious sinks

A spacious laundry sink is essential. Even though modern washing machines have a handwash cycle, I personally still prefer to hand wash certain delicates in a sink.  I also clean my shoes in the laundry sink. Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens designs and creates beautiful polished concrete sinks in a range of sizes and colours.

Laundry Sinks Adelaide

Benchtops

Install sleek and modern benchtops to sort, fold or hold your storage baskets. Guidance for laundry benchtops if much the same as in the kitchen. It should be durable, water resistant and suit your laundry room's style. Older homes tend to have the laminated benchtops which tend to look a bit tacky. Modernise your laundry room with a protected timber or published concrete benchtop. We can help with this.Laundry Room Makeover Ideas - Laundry Sinks AdelaideREAD: Multi-material benchtops.

Looking to revamp your laundry room? Get in touch with us. We can help with benchtops, sinks and more.