Guest guest Posted June 29, 2008 Report Share Posted June 29, 2008 Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. Make sure to keep all home-made formulas well-labeled, and out of the reach of children. All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc. Another alternative is microfiber cloths which lift off dirt, grease and dust without the need for cleaning chemicals, because they are formulated to penetrate and trap dirt. There are a number of different brands. A good quality cloth can last for several years. Air Freshener: Commercial air fresheners mask smells and coat nasal passages to diminish the sense of smell. • Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors around the house. • Having houseplants helps reduce odors in the home. • Prevent cooking odors by simmering vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) on the stove while cooking. To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar and wash in soapy water.• Keep fresh coffee grounds on the counter.• Grind up a slice of lemon in the garbage disposal.• Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove. • Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers in room. Bathroom mold: Mold in bathroom tile grout is a common problem and can be a health concern. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Wait at least one hour before rinsing or using shower.Carpet stains: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.For a heavy duty carpet cleaner, mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours. Vacuum. Chopping block cleaner: Rub a slice of lemon across a chopping block to disinfect the surface. For tougher stains, squeeze some of the lemon juice onto the spot and let sit for 10 minutes, then wipe.Coffee and tea stains: Stains in cups can be removed by applying vinegar to a sponge and wiping. To clean a teakettle or coffee maker, add 2 cups water and 1/4 cup vinegar; bring to a boil. Let cool, wipe with a clean cloth and rinse thoroughly with water.Deodorize:• Plastic food storage containers - soak overnight in warm water and baking soda• In-sink garbage disposal units - grind up lemon or orange peel in the unit• Carpets - sprinkle baking soda several hours before vacuuming• Garage, basements - set a sliced onion on a plate in center of room for 12 - 24 hoursDishwasher Soap: Mix equal parts of borax and washing soda, but increase the washing soda if your water is hard. Dishwashing Soap: Commercial low-phosphate detergents are not themselves harmful, but phosphates nourish algae which use up oxygen in waterways. A detergent substitution is to use liquid soap. Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of vinegar to the warm, soapy water for tough jobs. Disinfectant: Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 cups hot water. For stronger cleaning power add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use non-aerosol spray bottle. Drain Cleaner: For light drain cleaning, mix 1/2 cup salt in 4 liters water, heat (but not to a boil) and pour down the drain. For stronger cleaning, pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction can break fatty acids down into soap and glycerine, allowing the clog to wash down the drain. After 15 minutes, pour in boiling water to clear residue. Caution: only use this method with metal plumbing. Plastic pipes can melt if excess boiling water is used. Also, do not use this method after trying a commercial drain opener--the vinegar can react with the drain opener to create dangerous fumes.Fabric softener: To reduce static cling, dampen your hands, then shake out your clothes as you remove them from the drier. Line-drying clothing is another alternative.Floor Cleaner and Polish: vinyl and linoleum: wood: apply a thin coat of 1:1 vegetable oil and vinegar and rub in well. painted wood: mix 1 teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon (4L) hot water. brick and stone tiles: mix 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon (4L) water; rinse with clear water.Most floor surfaces can be easily cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water. For damp-mopping wood floors: mix equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Add 15 drops of pure peppermint oil; shake to mix. Furniture Polish: For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Cloth should only be slightly damp. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.For unvarnished wood, mix two tsps each of olive oil and lemon juice and apply a small amount to a soft cotton cloth. Wring the cloth to spread the mixture further into the material and apply to the furniture using wide strokes. This helps distribute the oil evenly. Laundry Detergent: Mix 1 cup Ivory soap (or Fels Naptha soap), 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads. Lime Deposits: You can reduce lime deposits in your teakettle by putting in 1/2 cup (125ml) white vinegar and 2 cups water, and gently boiling for a few minutes. Rinse well with fresh water while kettle is still warm.Marks on walls and painted surfaces: Many ink spots, pencil, crayon or marker spots can be cleaned from painted surfaces using baking soda applied to a damp sponge. Rub gently, then wipe and rinse. Metal Cleaners and Polishes: aluminum: using a soft cloth, clean with a solution of cream of tartar and water. brass or bronze: polish with a soft cloth dipped in lemon and baking-soda solution, or vinegar and salt solution. chrome: polish with baby oil, vinegar, or aluminum foil shiny side out. copper: soak a cotton rag in a pot of boiling water with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup white vinegar. Apply to copper while hot; let cool, then wipe clean. For tougher jobs, sprinkle baking soda or lemon juice on a soft cloth, then wipe. For copper cookware, sprinkle a lemon wedge with salt, then scrub.gold: clean with toothpaste, or a paste of salt, vinegar, and flour. silver: line a pan with aluminum foil and fill with water; add a teaspoon each of baking soda and salt. Bring to a boil and immerse silver. Polish with soft cloth.stainless steel: clean with a cloth dampened with undiluted white vinegar, or olive oil. For stainless cookware, mix 4 tbs baking soda in 1 qt water, and apply using a soft cloth. Wipe dry using a clean cloth. Mold and Mildew: Use white vinegar or lemon juice full strength. Apply with a sponge or scrubby.Mothballs: The common mothball is made of paradichlorobenzene, which is harmful to liver and kidneys. Cedar chips in a cheesecloth square, or cedar oil in an absorbant cloth will repel moths. The cedar should be 'aromatic cedar', also referred to as juniper in some areas. Cedar chips are available at many craft supply stores, or make your own using a plane and a block of cedar from the lumberyard.Homemade moth-repelling sachets can also be made with lavender, rosemary, vetiver and rose petals.Dried lemon peels are also a natural moth deterrent - simply toss into clothes chest, or tie in cheesecloth and hang in the closet.Oil and Grease Spots: For small spills on the garage floor, add baking soda and scrub with wet brush. Oven Cleaner: Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Use 3/4cup baking soda, 1/4cup salt and 1/4cup water to make a thick paste, and spread throughout oven interior. (avoid bare metal and any openings) Let sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots. Or use Arm & Hammer Oven Cleaner, declared nontoxic by Consumers Union. Paint Brush Cleaner: Non-toxic, citrus oil based solvents are now available commercially under several brand names. Citra-Solve is one brand. This works well for cleaning brushes of oil-based paints. Paint brushes and rollers used for an on-going project can be saved overnight, or even up to a week, without cleaning at all. Simply wrap the brush or roller snugly in a plastic bag, such as a used bread or produce bag. Squeeze out air pockets and store away from light. The paint won't dry because air can't get to it. Simply unwrap the brush or roller the next day and continue with the job.Fresh paint odors can be reduced by placing a small dish of white vinegar in the room.Rust Remover: Sprinkle a little salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until it is well soaked. Leave the mixture on for 2 - 3 hours. Use leftover rind to scrub residue. Scouring Powder: For top of stove, refrigerator and other such surfaces that should not be scratched, use baking soda. Apply baking soda directly with a damp sponge. Shoe Polish: Olive oil with a few drops of lemon juice can be applied to shoes with a thick cotton or terry rag. Leave for a few minutes; wipe and buff with a clean, dry rag.Stickers on walls: Our children covered the inside of their room doors with stickers. Now they are grown, but the stickers remained. To remove, sponge vinegar over them several times, and wait 15 minutes, then rub off the stickers. This also works for price tags (stickers) on tools, etc. Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work. Tub and Tile Cleaner: For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.) Wallpaper Remover: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and hot water, apply with sponge over the old wallpaper to soften the adhesive. Open room windows or use a fan to dissipate the pungent vinegar smell. Water Rings on Wood: Water rings on a wooden table or counter are the result of moisture that is trapped under the topcoat, but not the finish. Try applying toothpaste or mayonnaise to a damp cloth and rub into the ring. Once the ring is removed, buff the entire wood surface. Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter (qt) warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Don't clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying. The All-Purpose Cleaner (above) also works well on windows. Be sure to follow the recipe, because using too strong a solution of vinegar will etch the glass and eventually cloud it. Healthy Home Cleaning Habits Exchange Air: Many modern homes are so tight there's little new air coming in. Open the windows from time to time or run any installed exhaust fans. In cold weather, the most efficient way to exchange room air is to open the room wide - windows and doors, and let fresh air in quickly for about 5 minutes. The furnishings in the room, and the walls, act as 'heat sinks', and by exchanging air quickly, this heat is retained.Minimize Dust:Remove clutter which collects dust, such as old newspapers and magazines. Try to initiate a 'no-shoes-indoors' policy. If you're building or remodelling a home, consider a central vacuum system; this eliminates the fine dust which portable vacuum cleaners recirculate. Keep Bedrooms Clean:Most time is spent in the bedrooms. Keep pets out of these rooms, especially if they spend time outdoors. Use Gentle Cleaning Products: Of the various commercial home cleaning products, drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and oven cleaners are the most toxic. Use the formulas described above or purchase 'green' commercial alternatives. Avoid products containing ammonia or chlorine, or petroleum-based chemicals; these contribute to respiratory irritation, headaches and other complaints.Clean from the Top Down: When house cleaning, save the floor or carpet for last. Allow time for the dust to settle before vacuuming. Healthy HomeTest Kits:click images for more info Commercial Non-Toxic Household Products Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 29, 2008 Report Share Posted June 29, 2008 Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. Natural Cleaning Recipes This season, do your deep housecleaning without the chemical toxins by using the following recipes from Annie Berthold-Bond's book, Clean & Green, which is available at the Bastyr Dispensary. For any of these natural cleaning recipes, you can create your own scent by adding a few drops of an essential oil or a few drops of one of Dr. Bronner's scented pure castile soaps. General all-purpose fantastic cleaner 1 teaspoon borax 1/2 teaspoon washing soda (a mineral, sodium carbonate, also known as soda ash and sal soda, which should be found in a grocery store's laundry section. A very effective cleanser of grease, oil, dirt and many petroleum products) 2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon vegetable-oil-based liquid soap 2 cups very hot tap water Spray bottle Combine the borax, washing soda, vinegar and liquid soap in a spray bottle. Add very hot tap water, shaking the bottle gently until the minerals have dissolved. Spray onto the area to be cleaned and wipe off with a sponge, rag or cellulose sponge cloth. All-purpose floor cleaner I 1/8 cup vegetable-oil-based liquid soap (usually coconut oil-based, found in health food stores and called all-purpose or dishwashing soap) 1/2 cup vinegar 2 gallons warm water Put soap and vinegar in the bottom of a bucket. Fill the bucket with warm water, swishing the ingredients around a bit to activate the soap. Wash the floor as you normally would. All-purpose floor cleaner II 1 cup vinegar 1 pail water Wash the floor as you normally would. Overnight toilet cleaner 1 cup borax * Pour borax into the bowl before going to sleep at night. In the morning the stains will be effortlessly brushed away. Heavy duty tile cleaner 1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda Scoop some washing soda onto a damp sponge, wash tiles, and rinse well. Washing soda has good grease-cutting ability and is an odor absorber. This recipe is recommended only for heavy cleaning jobs because the washing soda requires a lot of rinsing. Vinegar mold killer Full-strength white vinegar Saturate a sponge with vinegar and scrub the moldy area. Rinse well. Another mold cleaner: grapefruit seed extract 10+ drops liquid Paramycocidin ** 2 cups water Spray bottle You may need more or less Paramycocidin, depending on the degree of mold infestation. Don't rinse; let it stay in place and continue to do its work. Borax disinfectant and mold killer 1 teaspoon to 1/4 cup borax Up to 2 cups hot tap water Place the borax in a container and dissolve completely in hot tap water. Saturate a sponge with the mixture and wash the moldy area. If really moldy, use an even higher concentration of borax and/or leave the solution on for a few hours or overnight, then rinse well. The more borax, the more residue to rinse off, but borax really works. This can even be used to clean plaster walls that have been penetrated by mold by using an almost straight borax paste. Leave the borax on the walls for a number of days and when it is completely dry, and vacuum up the powder. The best and effortless oven cleaner Baking soda Water Squirt or two of liquid soap Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven. Cover the grime with baking soda. Sprinkle some more water on top of the baking soda. If you let it sit overnight you can effortlessly wipe up the grease the next morning. I use a mild abrasive pad such as a supermarket green pad to help loosen stubborn spills. When you have cleaned up all the mess, dab a little bit of recommended vegetable-oil-based soap on a sponge and wash the sides, top and inside of the door as well as any grease or baking soda residue on the bottom. Rinse thoroughly to remove all baking soda. * Borax is a mineral of natural origin consisting of water, oxygen, sodium and boron. In large doses, borax is toxic if consumed orally. The lethal does for a 150-pound person is between one ounce and one pound. Borax has antiseptic, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. You can buy borax through a distributor (of 20 Mule Team Borax): The Dial Corporation, Dept. CG, 9510 Vassar, Chatsworth, CA 91311. ** Paramycocidin is the purest form of citrus seed extract available over the counter and is recommended in its liquid form as a mold cleaner. Its manufacturer is: Nutricology/Allergy Research Group, Dept. CG, 400 Preda St., San Leandro, CA 94577. Compiled by: Sydney Maupin, Staff Writer2002 Learn more about the nutrition services provided by Bastyr Center for Natural Health, or schedule your appointment today. nvasive Healthy Lifestyle Tips » Four Healthy Habits = a Longer Life » Tea Time: The World’s Favorite Beverage Helps Build Strong Bones » Vitamin D Supplements May Lower Risk of Death » Sun Exposure Enough to Keep Vitamin D Levels Healthy? » Seven Ways to Improve Your Winter Health » Protect Your Heart by Eating a Mediterranean Diet » Live Longer with Whole Grains » More Benefits of Eating Broccoli » Cut Down on Cola for Kidney Health » Cook Meat Right for Good Health » A Little Dark Chocolate Can Lower Blood Pressure » Make Your Pork and Eggs Better for You » A Healthier Way to Eat Watermelons » Stay Active to Protect Against Work-Related Injuries » Herb Profile: Elderberry » Eat Your Greens » Don't Settle for Heavy Metals » Inflammation and Diet: What's the Connection? » More Facts about Heavy Metals » Beat the Heat: Hydration 101 » U.S. Vitamin D Deficiency and Sunlight Avoidance » Blackberries: Invasive Weed or Nutritional Powerhouse? » Herbal Medicine Regulation in the UK » Zinc Improves Impaired Taste » Propolis Cures Yeast Infection in the Mouth » Kudzu Reduces Alcohol Consumption » Tea Tree Oil Hand Wash Effective » Toxins in the Cooking Process » Prickly Pears for Hangover » Walnuts Make History with the FDA » Tea Tree Oil and Staph » Prolonged Air Travel and Blood Clotting Disorder » Watermelon Juice a Rich Source of Lycopene and Beta-Carotene » Tea Tree Oil Shampoo Effective Dandruff Treatment » Increased Irradiation of Meat in the United States » Ginkgo Extract Reduces Severity of Altitude Sickness » Osteoporosis Risk for Children who Don't Do Dairy? » Air Pollution Compromises Vitamin D Status » Safe Intake of Trans Fatty Acids: Zero » Melatonin Shortens Recovery Time from Jet Lag » Are Some Plant Foods More Healthy than Others? » Misleading Report Recommends Natural Protection against Biological Weapons » Spice Up Your Health » Take Control of Mold » Natural Bug Sprays » Protect against Parkinson’s Disease with Vitamin E » Hydrotherapy: An Age-Old Natural Cure » Get Your Symptoms Under Control Through Biofeedback » Guide to Organic Labeling » Hiking and Camping Naturally » Kick the Caffeine Craving » Natural Cleaning Recipes » Who Needs a Nutritionist? » Electroacupuncture » Non-Dairy Sources of Calcium » Meaningful Holidays » Detoxify Yourself for Longevity and Health » Eating Apples Cut Breast Cancer in Tests » 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Home | Health Information | Health Care Services | Need a new ride? 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Guest guest Posted June 29, 2008 Report Share Posted June 29, 2008 Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. Skip to content Women's Voices for the Earth Search Navigation Home Campaigns and Programs Safe Cleaning Products Women and Household Cleaning Products Asthma & Household Cleaning Products Reproductive Harm & Household Cleaning Products Corporate Responsibility & Government Oversight Building a National Collaborative What You Can Do Reports and Fact Sheets Non-toxic Cleaning Recipes Safe Cleaning in Schools and Other Institutions Mercury and Reproductive Justice Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Protecting Health: Policy and Regulation Assisting Local Communities Clean New York Green Cleaning Parties! Fiestas de Eco-Limpieza! News & Publications Take Action! Ask Alex! Events & Announcements About WVE WVE Merchandise For Reporters Links Home » Campaigns and Programs » Safe Cleaning Products » Non-toxic Cleaning Recipes Non-toxic Cleaning Recipes Here's a few of our favorite recipes. Follow the recipe or experiment a little with the ingredients to make your own! All-Purpose Cleanersuggested uses: hard surfaces like countertops and kitchen floors, windows and mirrors 2 cups white distilled vinegar2 cups water20-30 or more drops of essential oil (optional) Tip: Warming in microwave until barely hot will boost cleaning power for tough jobs. Only microwave in a glass container. Creamy Soft Scrubsuggested uses: Use this creamy soft scrub on kitchen counters, stoves, bathroom sinks, etc. 2 cups baking soda½ cup liquid castile soap* 4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin (acts as a preservative) 5 drops antibacterial essential oil such as lavender, tea tree, rosemary or any scent you prefer (optional) Mix together and store in a sealed glass jar, shelf life of 2 years. Tips: For exceptionally tough jobs spray with vinegar first—full strength or diluted, scented—let sit and follow with scrub. Dry soft scrubs can be made with baking soda or salt (or combination of both) with 10-15 drops essential oil to scent Furniture Polish1/4 cup olive oil1/4 cup white distilled vinegar20-30 drops lemon essential oil Shake well before using(2 teaspoons lemon juice may be substituted for lemon oil but then must be stored in refrigerator) Dip a clean, dry cloth into the polish and rub wood in the direction of the grain. Use a soft brush to work the polish into corners or tight places. Tips: To remove water spots rub well with toothpaste. To remove scratches use 1 part lemon juice and 1 part oil, rub with soft cloth. Toilet Bowl Cleaner Option 1Sprinkle toilet bowl with baking soda, drizzle with vinegar, let soak for at least 30 minutes and scrub with toilet brush. Option 2 Put ¼ cup borax in toilet bowl and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Swish with a toilet brush and then scrub. A few drops of pine oil can be added for increased disinfecting. (Note: some people are allergic to pine oil.) Tip: Let ingredients soak for a while to make for easy scrubbing, especially on persistent stains like toilet bowl rings Drain Opener ½ cup baking soda½ cup vinegar Pour baking soda down the drain and follow with vinegar. Cover and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Flush with boiling water. Tip: Prevent your shower form clogging by using a drain trap to catch hairs. Laundry Detergent 1 cup soap flakes1/2 cup washing soda1/2 cup Borax Soap flakes can be made by grating your favorite pure vegetable soap with a cheese grater. Mix ingredients together and store in a glass container. Use 1 tablespoon per load (2 for heavily soiled laundry), wash in warm or cold water. This standard recipe can be adjusted for soft water by using 1 cup soap flakes, 1/4 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. For hard water, use 1 cup soap flakes, 1 cup washing soda, and 1 cup borax. Note: Borax should not be ingested. Tips: Add 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to rinse as a fabric softener. For a whitener, use hydrogen peroxide rather than bleach. Soak your dingy white clothes for 30 minutes in the washer with 1/2 cup 20% peroxide. Launder as usual. For more great recipes, visit care2.com Do homemade cleaners work? Learn more about the properties of these cleaners! Return to the Safe Cleaning Products Initiative Email this page Print this page Missoula Office - 114 W. Pine St, Missoula, MT 59802 ph:(406) 543-3747 - fx:(406) 543-2557 wve sitemap powered by Plone | site by ONE/Northwest News and Events 4 ways to make safer cleaning products Apr 01, 2008 Vuelta a lo natural Mar 31, 2008 Cleaning House The Green Way Mar 28, 2008 More... Donate Now! Support our work Email Newsletter Sign up now! Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 29, 2008 Report Share Posted June 29, 2008 Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. Email this to a friend Printer friendly version Recipes for Safer Cleaners by Pamela LundquistChildren's Health Environmental Coalition Cleaning products can contain many dangerous chemicals, which are usually not listed on the labels. Some of the hazards are mentioned in The Cleaning Blues. One of the easiest ways to protect your family from harm is to stop using cleaning products found in stores and start making your own. In fact, it's easy, far less expensive and just as effective. Most ingredients for homemade cleaners can be found in your kitchen. Below, you'll find recipes for kitchen, bathroom, and living room cleaning, as well as recipes for metal polishes, air fresheners, floors and carpets, laundry and mold. Keep these points in mind: Buy a few high quality spray bottles that you can use many times. Bottles with ounce measurements on them are especially useful for measuring and mixing. Be sure to label your mixtures to avoid confusion. Liquid soap means castile soap, a mild soap once made from olive oil, but now may include other vegetable oils as well. Coconut oil soaps are another good alternative to petroleum-based soaps. Vinegar means distilled white vinegar, available by the gallon at your supermarket. Note that while vinegar has a slight scent while wet, when dry, it leaves no odor. Washing soda and borax are minerals related to baking soda, but are stronger and more caustic. Though natural, both washing soda and borax can irritate skin, so use gloves. Borax can be toxic when swallowed, so keep it out of children's reach at all times. Both of these items can be found in your supermarket's laundry aisle. ALL cleaners, whether homemade or store bought, and cleaning ingredients should be kept safely away out of the reach of children and pets in locked cabinets or high places. You can also buy safer, environmentally friendly cleaning products, too. You'll find them in natural foods stores and some supermarkets. Some can be ordered online. See CHEC's Safer Products Store. KITCHEN Countertops: For a "soft scrub," mix together baking soda and liquid soap until you get a consistency you like. The amounts don't have to be perfect. Make only as much as you need, as it dries up quickly. Ovens: To clean extra-greasy ovens, mix together 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup of washing soda, then add enough water to make a paste; apply the paste to oven surfaces and let soak overnight. The next morning, lift off soda mixture and grime; rinse surfaces well. Microwave ovens can be cleaned with a paste of 3-4 tablespoons baking soda mixed with water. Scrub on with a sponge and rinse. Cutting boards: Disinfect them by spraying with vinegar and then with 3% hydrogen peroxide (available in drug stores). Keep the liquids in seperate spray bottles and use them one at a time. It doesn't matter which one you use first, but both together are much more effective than either one alone. Kitchens are one place where disinfecting is recommended for other select items like utensils and countertops. Please see Alternatives to Antibacterials & Disinfectants: Safer Ways to Keep Germs at Bay for more information. BATHROOM Tub and tile cleaner: Mix 1 2/3 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup liquid soap and1/2 cup water. Then, as the last step, add 2 tablespoons vinegar (if you add the vinegar too early it will react with the baking soda). Immediately apply, wipe, and scrub. A good all-purpose disinfectant: 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 to 4 cups hot water in a spray bottle. For extra cleaning power, add 1/4 teaspoon liquid soap to the mixture. Toilet bowl: Pour 1 cup of borax into the toilet before going to bed. In the morning, scrub and flush. For an extra-strength cleaner, add 1/4 cup vinegar to the borax. Drains: Prevent clogged drains by using hair and food traps. To de-grease and sweeten sink and tub drains, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down drain followed by 1 cup vinegar; let bubble for 15 minutes; rinse with hot water. You might have to repeat the whole procedure more than once or leave the baking soda and vinegar to "cook" overnight. LIVING ROOM General dusting is best done with a damp cloth. Dry dusting simply stirs up dust and moves it around. Also, try 1 teaspoon olive oil per 1/2 cup vinegar. Mix together in a bowl and apply with a soft cloth. Furniture polish: Mix olive oil and vinegar in a one-to-one ratio and polish with a soft cloth. Or look for food-grade linseed oil, often called omega-3 or flaxseed oil, rather than the type found in hardware stores to finish furniture. Linseed oil sold for furniture use often contains dangerous petroleum distillates to speed evaporation. Windows: Put 3 tablespoons vinegar per 1 quart water in a spray bottle. Some recommend using half vinegar and half water. For extra-dirty windows try this: 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap, 3 tablespoons vinegar and 2 cups of water. Shake well. The best way to get streak-free windows? Use newspaper instead of paper towels to wipe them. METAL POLISH Brass, copper, bronze and aluminum: To remove tarnish, rub metal with sliced lemons. For tough jobs, sprinkle baking soda on the lemon, then rub. Sterling silver: Put a sheet of aluminum foil into a plastic or glass bowl. Sprinkle the foil with salt and baking soda, then fill the bowl with warm water. Just soak your silver in the bowl and the tarnish will migrate to the aluminum foil. Finally, rinse, dry and buff your silver with a soft cloth. AIR FRESHENER Vinegar and baking soda are great room fresheners. Vinegar deodorizes, while baking soda absorbs odors. A simple recipe of 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vinegar (or lemon juice) and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle can be spritzed in the air to remove odors. Zeolite, like baking soda, absorbs odor. Set out either in bathrooms and closets. See How to Freshen Indoor Air Naturally for more natural solutions to stale indoor air. FLOORS AND CARPETS Vacuuming is an important part of floor maintenance. We recommend using a machine with a HEPA filter, which traps very small particles that are otherwise blown back into the room in the vacuum's exhaust. Consumer Reports, which ranks appliances, has found that some vacuum cleaners without HEPA filters were also effective. No matter what kind of vacuum cleaner you use, be sure pass over carpet several times and more in heavy traffic areas. Linoleum: For extra grease-cutting, try this formula: 1/4 cup washing soda with 1 tablespoon of liquid soap, 1/4 cup vinegar and 2 gallons hot water. Put the washing soda in the bucket first and add the liquid ingredients — this way the soda won't splash out. Caution: Do not use this formula on waxed floors! For an extra polish, combine 6 tablespoons of cornstarch per cup of water in a bucket. Disinfect floors: Add 2 gallons of hot water to 1/2 cup of borax. (Put the borax in the bucket first, then add water to avoid splashing.) Wood floors: Vinegar is a natural disinfectant, and it pulls dirt from wood. After a large party, I used 1 cup vinegar per pail of hot water to clean my wood floors — the smell disappeared immediately. You can also use it on other types of floors — it's a gentle yet very effective floor cleaner. Carpeting And Rugs: Regular vacuuming will help keep carpets their cleanest. Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the carpet and let it stand for 15 – 30 minutes before vacuuming to soak up and eliminate odors. CHEC recommends against the use of chemical carpet cleaners because of health concerns associated with their ingredients. See Are Carpet Cleaners Safe? If you want to steam clean your rug, use plain water and make sure it dries thoroughly. For other carpet cleaning tips, see How to Clean Carpets Without Dangerous Chemicals. LAUNDRY Laundry brightener: Add 1/2 cup of strained lemon juice to the rinse cycle. Fabric rinse: Add 1/4 cup of vinegar to the washing machine's rinse cycle to remove detergent completely from clothes, eliminating that scratchy feel. This will not leave your clothes smelling like vinegar! Detergent booster: To reduce the amount of laundry detergent you need to use, add baking soda or washing soda. These minerals soften the water, which increases the detergent's power. For liquid detergent, add 1/2 cup of soda at the beginning of the wash. For powdered detergent, add 1/2 cup of soda during the rinse cycle. Bleach: Use hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine bleach. Dry cleaning: Many delicate "dry clean only" items can be washed at home by hand. In general, it's best to use cool water and a mild liquid soap. Squeeze or wring gently and lay flat to dry. See Greenwashing: How to Dry Clean Only Without Perc for more information. MOLD & MILDEW If you discover mold and mildew in your house, first find the source of moisture and stop it. It's pointless to clean mold if it's only going to return! Read more about How To Prevent Mold Exposure. To clean mold: Remember to wear gloves and a facemask, since mold spores can be inhaled. Use a stiff brush, a non-ammonia detergent and hot water to scrub mold off of non-porous surfaces. Use a stiff bristle toothbrush to get in between tiles. You can also use a paste of baking soda and water. Don't rinse. Resources:Clean and Green (Library Journal, 1990), by Annie Berthold Bond.The Safe Shopper's Bible (Macmillan, 1995), by David Steinman and Samuel S. Epstein. See also:How to Clean with 5 Basic ToolsAntibacterials & Disinfectants: Are They Necessary?Fragrances in Cleaning Products, Fabric Softeners and Laundry Detergents Look for safer product alternatives in CHEC's Safer Products Store. Original Date - 04/06/03 Last Updated - 11/03/03 Quick Tips | CHEC Lists | How ToArticles | Chemicals | Glossary Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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