Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Non-toxic Cleaning for Your Home
THE KITCHEN
Countertops: Skip the harsh chemicals and clean countertops with an all-purpose cleaner made of baking soda and water. Dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda into one quart of hot water and put in a spray bottle. The baking soda acts as a mild abrasive and deodorizer. This cleaner is safe and effective for cleaning cooked-on foods and other unsightly kitchen messes.
Silver: Tarnished silver and silverware buff up to their shiny best with an application of white toothpaste. Rub regular white toothpaste into the silver and wipe with a soft cloth; rinse with water or a damp sponge. Silver is left tarnish-free—and minty-fresh!
Stainless Steel: White vinegar on a sponge cleans any stainless steel surface or appliance. Seriously. The vinegar kills 99% of all bacteria, and is great for cleaning grease and grime and making that steel shine. Don't worry—the vinegar smell evaporates quickly.
LAUNDRY
Whitening: Borax is a natural mineral, and can be purchased at your local grocery store. Add 1/2 cup to the washing machine during the wash cycle. OR Try ready-made eco-friendly non-chlorine bleaches like Ecover.
Fabric Softener: Yes, it's our old friend vinegar again. Add 1 to 2 cups of white vinegar to the washing machine during the rinse cycle for super-soft clothes and sheets.
Starch: Instead of spending money on store-bought spray starch, make the real thing by adding 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to a spray bottle full of warm water. Spray on shirts while ironing.
Stain-removal: Next time you spill red wine on yourself (or someone else), try to treat the stain immediately. Place cloth under the stained area, and pour club soda on the stain. Add salt and let it sit—the salt will lift the stain. Brush off the salt and launder as usual.
BATHROOM
Toilet bowl: Cleaning the toilet just got a whole lot easier. Simply pour about a cup of borax into the toilet bowl and leave overnight. (Make sure children and pets do not have access to the bathroom.) In the morning, give the toilet a quick brush and then flush.
Clogs: It's not glamorous (unless you have a really special plunger), but your first defense against a clog should be a good old-fashioned plunger, as over-the-counter drain openers can be highly toxic. If that doesn't work, consider using a small plumbing snake (or augur) or eco-friendly products like Earth enzyme drain opener. These drain openers work overnight breaking down the, ahem, organic matter and don't contain caustic chemicals.
Tiles: To clean tile floors, walls, and showers, mix two tablespoons of borax and a little lemon juice into a spray bottle full of hot water. Borax disinfects while fighting mold and mildew; lemon is naturally acidic and great for cutting mineral build-up. An eco-friendly ready-made cleaner like Seventh Generation Bathroom Cleaner is also a good option.
LIVING ROOM
Windows: It must be the easiest cleaning solution ever: simply crumple up a sheet of newspaper and wipe your windows clean. Not only does this polish the glass, it also leaves a film that resists dirt.
Wallpaper: Remove wallpaper smudges by rubbing white chalk on them. Chalk naturally absorbs dirt. Simply brush off the chalk residue with cloth and the smudge will come off with it.
Wood furniture: Polish wood furniture with olive oil on a cloth. A little goes a long way towards gorgeous, shiny surfaces. A good store-bought eco-cleaner is Method's Wood for Good Furniture Polish.
Carpet: Deodorize carpet by sprinkling baking soda on the surface and letting it sit to absorb odors. Then simply vacuum it all up.
SOURCE
Countertops: Skip the harsh chemicals and clean countertops with an all-purpose cleaner made of baking soda and water. Dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda into one quart of hot water and put in a spray bottle. The baking soda acts as a mild abrasive and deodorizer. This cleaner is safe and effective for cleaning cooked-on foods and other unsightly kitchen messes.
Silver: Tarnished silver and silverware buff up to their shiny best with an application of white toothpaste. Rub regular white toothpaste into the silver and wipe with a soft cloth; rinse with water or a damp sponge. Silver is left tarnish-free—and minty-fresh!
Stainless Steel: White vinegar on a sponge cleans any stainless steel surface or appliance. Seriously. The vinegar kills 99% of all bacteria, and is great for cleaning grease and grime and making that steel shine. Don't worry—the vinegar smell evaporates quickly.
LAUNDRY
Whitening: Borax is a natural mineral, and can be purchased at your local grocery store. Add 1/2 cup to the washing machine during the wash cycle. OR Try ready-made eco-friendly non-chlorine bleaches like Ecover.
Fabric Softener: Yes, it's our old friend vinegar again. Add 1 to 2 cups of white vinegar to the washing machine during the rinse cycle for super-soft clothes and sheets.
Starch: Instead of spending money on store-bought spray starch, make the real thing by adding 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to a spray bottle full of warm water. Spray on shirts while ironing.
Stain-removal: Next time you spill red wine on yourself (or someone else), try to treat the stain immediately. Place cloth under the stained area, and pour club soda on the stain. Add salt and let it sit—the salt will lift the stain. Brush off the salt and launder as usual.
BATHROOM
Toilet bowl: Cleaning the toilet just got a whole lot easier. Simply pour about a cup of borax into the toilet bowl and leave overnight. (Make sure children and pets do not have access to the bathroom.) In the morning, give the toilet a quick brush and then flush.
Clogs: It's not glamorous (unless you have a really special plunger), but your first defense against a clog should be a good old-fashioned plunger, as over-the-counter drain openers can be highly toxic. If that doesn't work, consider using a small plumbing snake (or augur) or eco-friendly products like Earth enzyme drain opener. These drain openers work overnight breaking down the, ahem, organic matter and don't contain caustic chemicals.
Tiles: To clean tile floors, walls, and showers, mix two tablespoons of borax and a little lemon juice into a spray bottle full of hot water. Borax disinfects while fighting mold and mildew; lemon is naturally acidic and great for cutting mineral build-up. An eco-friendly ready-made cleaner like Seventh Generation Bathroom Cleaner is also a good option.
LIVING ROOM
Windows: It must be the easiest cleaning solution ever: simply crumple up a sheet of newspaper and wipe your windows clean. Not only does this polish the glass, it also leaves a film that resists dirt.
Wallpaper: Remove wallpaper smudges by rubbing white chalk on them. Chalk naturally absorbs dirt. Simply brush off the chalk residue with cloth and the smudge will come off with it.
Wood furniture: Polish wood furniture with olive oil on a cloth. A little goes a long way towards gorgeous, shiny surfaces. A good store-bought eco-cleaner is Method's Wood for Good Furniture Polish.
Carpet: Deodorize carpet by sprinkling baking soda on the surface and letting it sit to absorb odors. Then simply vacuum it all up.
SOURCE
Labels: cleaning, DIY, non-toxic, tips
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