"Green" Spring Cleaning

Green Cleaning substances

Vinegar

Helps to remove stains, wax buildup and mildew.
Use to clean windows, fireplaces, grout, paintbrushes, glass and coffeepots.

Pure Soap

Helps to clean almost everything
Use to clean your dishes, car, kids bikes.

Baking Soda

Helps to clean and deodorize, will act as a scouring agent, polisher, stain removal and fabric softener.
Use to clean your plastic, vinyl, carpet, silver, stainless steel, drains and refresh your fridge.

Borax

Helps to clean and deodorize.
Use on wallpaper, painted walls and floors. Use it with your detergents to remove stains, and boost the cleaning power.

Washing Soda

Helps to clean clothing and soften the water.
Use it in a well ventilated area, wear gloves. Washing soda is moderately toxic.

Ammonia

Strong cleanser
Use it to clean carpet, linoleum, most appliances, copper and enamel. ALWAYS USE IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA AND NEVER MIX WITH CHLORINE BLEACH, THE MIXTURE WILL CREATE A POISONOUS GAS.

Window and Glass Cleaner

While there is nothing unique about this recipe... it works!
Newspaper, Vinegar and Elbow grease!

All Purpose Cleaner

125 ml ammonia
75 ml washing soda
4 L warm water
Combine and use to clean your floors, tiles and painted walls. This will also deodorize so you will not have a need to use harmful deodorizes in your home!

Disinfectant

If you use environmentally cleansers regularly you will find they keep the air clean. Store bought cans etc.. contain many harmful ingredients.. and are costly.

De-Scaler

One part vinegar with two parts water is all you need to clean your kettle and iron.

Kettle - pour into the kettle bring to a boil, rinse well.
Iron - Put some in the reservoir, let it stand for 30 minutes, rinse well.

Tub & Tile Cleaner

Baking soda and a damp cloth will clean your tub and tiles. You may need to use a brush to get into the grout but this will do the job without an environmental hazards.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Mix borax and lemon juice into a paste. Wet the sides of the toilet bowl, rub and let stand for a few hours. Scrub off and flush! (if you don't have stains you can let stand for less time)

Oven Cleaner

There are many "green" recipes for oven cleaners. Since most call for the use of Ammonia we suggest you contact your local environmental office for ideas. Toxic fumes with young children do not mix. Don't be fooled by the commercial brands saying "no fumes" what you can't smell can be as harmful as what you can smell.

Drain Opener

A plunger will usually do the trick.. If not try this recipe

250ml baking soda
250ml salt
125ml vinegar(white)
pot of boiling water (kettle if you have one)
Pour the soda, salt and vinegar down the drain, leave for 15-20 minutes. Pour on boiling water.

Comments

Sheila Barnes | June 16, 2008 at 7:06 pm - §

I have switched to mostly vinegar and baking soda for all of my cleaning and am in the process of trying different recipes for green products but...what are 'washing soda' and 'soap flakes'? Can you give me name brands so I know please? Thanks.
Kim Krogstad | June 30, 2008 at 12:33 pm - §

Since I am in the process of starting my sparkle kit I thought this would be a good time to try going green. I know it would be easier on our septic system as well as the environment. I am also wondering where to get 'washing soda'? And does anyone know what Borax is actually made of? Thanks.
Jamel Handerson | May 12, 2009 at 5:56 pm - §

This is a smart idea we should tell the world about this they will be dilighted because they want t o see the utopian society or their unclean society cleant it is a great aprotunity