Green Cleaning

A safe and natural way to clean your home.

Did you know that there are ways to clean your home without using toxic cleaning products that not only hurt the environment but can damage your lungs,  cause breathing problems and Asthma in adults and children?

Two items that are probably in your kitchen cabinet right now can replace almost all of the toxic cleaning products you are using.

Vinegar

Vinegar is one of the safest  mold, bacteria and germ killers around. Vinegar can replace many of the toxic items you use to clean your kitchen and bathroom. It can be used at full strenght or in a 3:1 vinegar water ratio.

Window Cleaner ~~ Fill a spray bottle three thirds full of vinegar and top off with water. Spray windows, mirrors or any glass item you would like a clean streak free surface. Wipe with crumpled up newspaper or a paper towel.

 Floor Cleaner ~~ Mop your linolem and tile floors with vinegar.

Counter Disinfectant ~~ Spray down all your counter tops to kill germs and bacteria buildup.

 Refrigerator Cleaner ~~ Use Vinegar to clean the inside and outside of your refridgerator safely.

 Bathroom Cleaner ~~ Clean your bathroom vanity and toilet bowl with vinegar to disenfect and deodorize the bathroom.

Tub & Tile Cleaner ~~ Spray down your tub or shower stall with vinegar to disenfect and prevent hard water deposits.

 Coffee Pot Cleaner ~~ Run a full pot of vinegar through your automatic coffee maker then follow with two full pots of plain water to rinse.

I live in Florida so the next tip is area specific for  parts of the countries with high humidity and heavy rain fall.

Lania & Porch Cleaner ~~ To remove the build up of mold and fungus during the rainy season I pour full strenght vinegar on the cement floor of my lania. Then using an old broom I scrub the slippery build up off and spray clean with a hose or pressure cleaner. This method is safe around animals and plants.

Baking Soda

Baking Soda has been used for years as a deodorizer, stain remover and scouring powder.

My all time favorite use of baking soda !! Believe me this really works !

Oven Cleaner ~~  Mist the entire inside of your cold oven including the door and window with plain water. sprinkle a 1 inch thick layer of baking soda in the entire oven. Using your hand or a sponge pack the baking soda to the sides of the oven walls. Let sit for 1 hour. Every fifteen minutes or so remist the oven to keep the baking soda damp. After the hour wipe the oven out with a sponge. You can also us a plastic spatula to scoop out the baking soda before wiping out with a sponge. You will be amazed at how easiely the baked on food and grim comes off your oven surface.

Stainless Steel Sink Cleaner ~~ Sprinkle baking soda in your stainless steel sink. If your sink has heavy staining let damp baking soda sit for about 20 minutes. Scour sink with a sponge and rinse clean. You'll be amazed at the shine left behind.

Laundry Booster ~~ Add a cup of baking soda to your families laundry. It will brighten whites and deodorize those tough laundry loads. It will also act as a water softener.

Deodorize Garbage Disposals ~~ Pour one cup of baking soda down your disposal and let sit for 20 minutes. Turn your water on and run your disposal. For added fun add a slice of lemon rind to fill your kitchen with the lovely scent of citrus.

Bathroom Cleaner ~~ Remove soap scum and hard water deposits easily in your sinks and tub/shower.  Sprinkle enough baking soda to cover the bottom of your tub, shower or sink. Scour with a sponge and rinse.

Microwave Cleaner ~~ Fill a small microwavable bowl with water and add 3/4 a cup of baking soda. Place the bowl inside your microwave oven and run for about 5 minutes on high power. Let stand for 15 or 20 minutes.

Caution : Allow bowl and water to cool before removing from the microwave. The heat and boiling water will cause a thin layer of baking soda to adhere to the inside of your microwave. Then  use a damp sponge to wipe the inside of your microwave clean removing the food splatters easily. Add a slice of lemon to the water mixture and your kitchen will be filled with a lovely citrus scent.