subject: Go Green While Getting Your Home Completely Clean [print this page] As the song goes it is a small planet and while you may not think how you clean, and what you use, has much of an effect, it does. Conventional cleaning products use caustic chemicals and affect the environment in many ways through the air, water, and landfills. Homemade cleaning products are less expensive than commercial products and usually greener.
Stock up on white vinegar, lemons, baking soda, and newspapers and you have the beginnings of your green cleaning arsenal.
White distilled vinegar should be considered a miracle cleaning product because it has so many uses. It's a mild acid and considered a disinfectant. Use a solution of pure white vinegar to kill mold and mildew. Pour vinegar on a sponge and wipe down surfaces. Wait a few minutes and then rinse with a clean cloth.
Spray a solution of 1 cup of white vinegar to one quart of water on windows and glass surfaces. Squeegee off and polish with old newspapers. Newspapers are very absorbent and the ink leaves a shine on the glass. Wear plastic gloves to keep the ink off your hands.
Baking soda is an abrasive that won't harm most surfaces. Use a paste of baking soda and water to clean stainless steel then rinse and dry for a spotless finish. That paste can be used to clean grout and tile. Burnt on food can be removed with baking soda. Sprinkle to completely cover the burnt mess, dampen with water and let sit overnight. In the morning the burnt gunk should lift right off.
Of course baking soda is used to absorb odors in the refrigerator. Use it where ever you want odors gone such as in the bottom of the garbage can, musty closets, and athletic shoes. To remove pet odors from carpets, sprinkle on baking soda wait 30 minutes then vacuum.
When that box of baking soda has stopped doing its job in the fridge, pour it down the garbage disposal, turn the disposal on and pour in one quart of white vinegar followed by running the hot water full blast for 30 seconds.
Lemon juice is a natural bleach and disinfectant. Cut a lemon in half and rub on counter top stains. Use a few drops of lemon juice to remove stains from clothes that are too delicate for chlorine bleach. Lemon juice removes soap scum and brightens aluminum. Place the juice of half a lemon in a glass bowl. Add one cup of water. Place in microwave on high for five minutes. The lemon juice disinfects and removes stains and odors. Wipe down the microwave with paper towels and it's ready to go clean and sweet smelling.
These are just a few ways to stay green with homemade cleaning products.
