Natural Cleaning solutions

One surefire way of living green is to use environmentally friendly products for everyday use. By doing so, we reduce waste and pollution. There are a number of commercial household cleaning products available which are "green", but many of them are expensive.

Here are some alternatives that can replace store-bought products with homemade recipes that cost pennies and protect your home environment from bleach and petroleum products:

• Tub and toilet scrub: Sprinkle baking soda over an area to be cleaned, then spray with white vinegar and scrub with sponge.
• Carpet deoderizer: Combine 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup cornstarch and several drops of lavender essential oil. Sprinkle on rug, let stand 30 minutes, then vacuum.
• Mildew remover: Mix 1 tsp. tea tree oil (an all-natural anti-fungal liquid) and 1 cup water in a spray bottle and apply to affected area.
• Furniture polish: Mix 1 tsp. lemon juice with 1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil. Wipe down wood furniture with mixture.
• Dishwasher detergent: Combine 2 Tbs. borax (a boric acid mineral) and 2 Tbs. baking soda in detergent compartment, then fill rinse drawer with white vinegar. Run dish-washing cycle as usual.
• All purpose liquid cleaner: Mix 1 cup each water and vinegar plus 2 Tbs. baking soda in spray bottle. Use as you would any cleaning liquid.
• Carpet and floor scrubbers: Mop floor with a solution of 1/2 cup distilled vinegar and 1 gallon warm water.
• Scratch-free scourer: Sprinkle baking soda on a used lemon half and use as a scratch-free scrubber on counters, tiles and stainless steel.
• Window treatment: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spritz on glass surgace and wipe with newsprint for a streak-free shine that won't leave tiny fibers behind.
• Hand-washing delicates: To whiten garments without bleach, soak them for 30 minutes in a solution of 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide and 4 cups water.
  

By Meg Donohue in Vegetarian Times (March 2007)