Learn to Clean Green

[paelthom]

This came from a booklet our museum puts out and it lists the resource as "The Complete Guide to Non-Toxic and Environmentally Safe Housekeeping and the Natural Formula Book for Home and Yard" I have used some of the recipes and really thought they did great - plus they were earth and people friendly. Vinegar, Baking Soda and Borax are excellent, safe cleaners.

WINDOW CLEANER -
1 tbsp. Corn starch
1/2 c. White Vinegar
1 gallon warm water
Mix thoroughly, spray on window and wipe with newspapers. Newspapers leave less lint behind.

DRAIN OPENER (I use this one all the time)
1 c. Baking Soda
1 c. Salt
1/2 c. White Vinegar
1/2 Gallon Boiling Water
Pour soda, salt and vinegar into drain. Wait about 15 minutes then flush with boiling water.

DISINFECTANT SCRUB (I use this one a lot too, and keep it stored in a plastic butter container)
1 c. Baking Soda
1/4 c, Borax
Murphy's Oil Soap (use enough to make a paste)
Place soda and borax in a bowl. Stir in Murphy's Oil soap until mixture is creamy. Scoop onto a sponge or cloth and wash the surface. Let it "rest" to absorb odors. Rinse

ALL PURPOSE CLEANER
1 tsp. Borax
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
2 tbsp Vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 tsp. Murphy's Oil soap
2 c. very hot tap water
Combine in a bottle and shake until everything is dissolved. Spray on and wipe off.

MILDEW REMOVER
1 tsp. Borax
2 c. hot tap water
Combine and brush on shower tiles and tub. Allow to set for at least 30 minutes (probably more like 1 hour). Wipe away and rinse.

NON-CHLORINE BLEACH
1/4 c. lemon juice in wash cycle instead of chlorine bleach

FABRIC SOFTENER (I do this one often)
1/4 c. white vinegar in rinse cycle
(does not leave a vinegar smell)

[homesteadmamma]

Thanks Pat. Great information there.

I just use vinegar and water to clean my windows. I don't put baking soda in the mixture.

The drain opener I use all the time as well.

Fabric softener, I don't use at all. We've just gotten use to drying clothes on the line or inside. And if you can hit the days its nice and windy, everything turns out soft.

[paelthom]

CJ,
I miss line drying clothes outside. I've had to really cut way back due to dd severe allergies. I hang some inside, but it's just not the same.

[crdurham]

Thanks for this post....with my ds, I really wanta get away from buying cleaners and such that are toxic and bad for the enviroment... I will definitly try these out....

[cmu]

Neat, I am gonna have to try the Drain cleaner!!!