Green

Cleaning Products

They have to be some of the most toxic things in our homes (formaldehyde, acids), and they leave a chemical residue in the name of "cleaning."  The EPA warns that prolonged exposure to these indoors can lead to cancer and nerve damage. Worse, their production is one of the worst pollution-creators in the world.  We are hit by media which tell us that we need specialized products for everything (shower cleaner, glass cleaner, ceramic counter cleaner with orange glo!). 

Use up what you have, and then move over to natural and effective cleaners. You can even manufacture many of your own! At the very least, buy the green products which are out there (One site: www.seventhgeneration.com).

The Basic Ten √

1. White vinegar -- kills germs and bacteria

2. Baking soda -- eliminates odors; works like a scouring powder

3. Borax -- Eliminates odors, removes dirt, acts as a disinfectant and antifungal. Harmful if swallowed!

4. Hydrogen peroxide -- nontoxic bleach and stain remover as well as disinfectant

5. Club soda (if fresh) -- stain remover and polisher

6. Lemon juice -- nontoxic bleach, grease cutter, stain remover

7. Liquid castile soap -- all-purpose cleaner, grease-cutter, disinfectant,.  "Castile" means that the soap is vegetable-based instead of animal-fat-based.

8. Corn meal -- Picks up carpet spills

9. Olive oil -- furniture polish

10. Pure essential oils -- adding these to other cleaners adds scent (lavender, peppermint, lemon grass, eucalyptus, etc.).  Careful:  some are harmful if ingested or on skin; pregnant women are also warned of dangers with these. Read more: www.frontiercoop.com/auracacia.art.html .

Using Them √

• All-Purpose Cleaner: 2 tbsps. white vinegar, 1 tsp. borax, and mix with 16 oz. very hot water. After borax dissolved, add 1/4 cup of castile soap (and 10-15 drops of oil, if you wish). Keeps indefinitely.

  • Alternative: Two cups of club soda in a spray bottle

• Hard Floor Cleaner: Except for floors which scream "no detergent!" this works:  1/4 cup castile soap, 1/2 cup white vinegar or lemon juice, 2 gallons warm water.

• Carpet Cleaner: 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup borax, 1 cup cornmeal. Sprinkle over rug and rub with cloth. Let rest several hours or overnight, then vacuum. 

  • Stains: 1/4 castile soap, 1/3 water, mix in blender until foamy. Spread on carpet and wait a few minutes. Then scrub.  Club soda removes coffee, wine, juice, and other acidic stains.

  • Big Stains: Pour cornmeal on spill; wait 15 minutes.  Vacuum

• Glass Cleaner: Club soda.  Add 1 tsp lemon juice to increase de-greasing. Terry cloth works best.

• Bathroom Surface Cleaners:  Any of the above or just baking soda or borax.  Club soda works on plumbing fixtures. For a softer scrub, mix 1/2 cup baking soda with liquid soap to get a frost-like thickness (add oil for scent).

• Toilet Cleaner:  Sprinkle baking soda or borax in, or pour white vinegar.  Wait a few minutes and scrub.

• Oven Cleaner: Cover with baking soda, spray with water until damp, and wait overnight. Spray with water every few hours to keep damp.  In the morning, clean out the baking soda and the rest will be loosened for scrubbing.

• Mold Remover: 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar with 1 cup of water.  Spray on mold and don't rinse. Also you can treat it with 2 tsp. tea tree oil and 2 cups water. 

• Wood Polish: Dab olive oil onto a soft cloth and rub.

Cleaning your sponges and cloths! √

1. Disinfect sponges weekly by boiling them in water for 3 minutes and then microwaving for 1-2 minutes.

2. Wash your dish rags in laundry every week.