Eco-friendly cleaning ideas

What do these three items have in common? Well, they are all environmentally friendly cleaning supplies and with spring cleaning season just around the corner, it might be useful to learn about something you can do with these 3 things.

Vinegar:

Vinegar cleans like an all-purpose cleaner and can be used to clean, disinfect, and, yes, believe it or not, deodorize. Make a solution of 1 part vinegar to 1 part water in a spray bottle and use it as you would any other all-purpose cleaner. It is most useful if put in a clean, new spray bottle. As with all new cleaning products, test it first in an inconspicuous area to ensure that the surface can tolerate the solution.

Because it is acidic, you should not use vinegar:

• To clean grout
• On marble

If you are sensitive to the smell of vinegar, add lemon juice to vinegar to make the smell of the vinegar more palatable. However, the smell of vinegar doesn’t linger when it dries.

Use it in the…

1. Bathroom to clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops.

• Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. After flushing the water in, pour the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim, then use a toilet brush to remove the stain.
• A vinegar/water solution to remove soap scum and hard water stains. It is also a great way to clean and disinfect the floor. Before using it on tile, check to make sure it is safe.

2. Kitchen to clean the stovetop, appliances, countertops, and floor.

3. Laundry Room as a natural fabric softener. This can be especially helpful for families who have sensitive skin.

• Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively. (A plus when you have a family member whose skin detects every trace of detergent.)

Baking Soda:

Baking soda can be used to scrub surfaces in much the same way as commercial abrasive cleansers. Baking soda is great as a deodorizer. Place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Put it anywhere you need deodorizing action.

Lemons:

Lemon juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home. Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper. Lemon juice can be mixed with vinegar and or baking soda to make cleaning pastes.

• Cut a lemon in half, put a layer of baking soda on the cut section and use it clean dishes, surfaces, and other stains.
• Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture.
• Soak countertop stains in lemon juice for a few minutes (but not too long as it can be very corrosive!). Scrub the area with baking soda to make the stains disappear.
• Lemon rinds can be ground in the garbage disposal to freshen the drain.
• Pour very hot water with a little lemon poured down a drain helps kill odor causing bacteria in the drain.
• Because lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent, it makes are create stain remover for fabrics as well. Put lemon juice onto stains on white cloth and allow them to dry in the sun. Stains will be bleached away.

For more information on these and other uses click here.

Happy Cleaning!