Friday, July 6, 2007
Green Cleaning
I have tried the following glass cleaner recipe with great results. The biggest expense was a small bottle of Dr. Bronner's Castille soap, but you can use dish soap instead. I like to use a china marker (wax pencil) on my spray bottles so I can write what's in them and reuse it later. I write the recipe on the bottle b/c when I refill, I know I'll be too lazy to look it up.
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-best-window-cleaner.html
THE BEST WINDOW CLEANER
Make a great all-purpose window cleaner by combining 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent, and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Combine in a spray bottle. Shake to blend.
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6 comments:
Hi Amanda, thanks for sending out the blog :o)
I have a book that I got a few years back called "Clean & Green". The author is Annie Berthold-Bond and it is published by Ceres Press in Woodstock, New York.
It's a good book to have around. Lots of inexpenive home recipes and things. They're very "old-fashioned"...i.e. my grandmother uses vinegar and baking soda in some of her cleaning. I've tried a few of them to see how well they work. There are some recommendations in there that I don't really understand what makes them safer, but it's definitely a good book to have.
I buy an all-purpose product called "Mean Green". It's easy to find at grocery stores and it's affordable. It's claim is that it contains no acids or bleaches and is biodegradable. I like it because it is a kick-ass cleaner and I can tell that it's not leaving a residue behind. For example, when i have to spot clean on my floor I can pretend to ice skate in my socks afterwards (hee hee)
Also, ex-con or not, when it comes to non-toxic cleaning Martha Stewart really knows her stuff.
If you do get the book (or maybe you can borrow it some time). Let me know your thoughts.
Sara
Thanks Sara! I have that book also and it is excellent! A lot of her recipies can be found on Care2's website. I'll keep an eye out for Mean Green. I use Simple Green for greasy messes, it works great for those tougher areas.
I want to give a super big shout out for METHOD products! Their line is available at Target and Home Depot and really rocks! I just got theier micro-fiber mop. Check out: http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/greenchipshowcase/working_us_into_a_lather_method_home
Amanda
here are a few more ideas....
All-purpose cleaner- 2-4 table. baking soda with 1 quart warm water, or 1 tablespoon of borax in a spray bottle with 1 quart of very hot water
Produce spray- vinegar, then hydrogen peroxide in dark spray bottle
Sponges-put in microwave for 1 minute to kill bacteria
cutting boards- vinegar
open clogs- pour 1/2 cup baking soda down drain, add ½-1 cup white vinegar, and cover the drain. you can follow with kettle of boiling water
floor cleaner- add 1 cup of vinegar to a gallon of water
floor deodorizer- baking soda or borax sprinkled on carpets, vacuum up
Oven cleaner- sprinkle baking soda all over the bottom until it is covered completely. Then spray with water until the baking soda is thoroughly damp
Microwave- put lemon juice or vinegar in a cup of water, boil, let it sit in microwave a few minutes after boiling, wipe clean
furniture polish- Mix a few drops of olive oil to ¼ cup vinegar
Dust furniture-lint roller
Toilet bowl cleaner- baking soda, vinegar, or borax and lemon juice.
Tub and shower cleaner- rubbing in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinsing, or wiping with vinegar first and following with baking soda as a scouring powder.
Window and glass cleaner- 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent in a spray bottle. Use coffee filters
mildew and mold spray- straight vinegar, and if there is a stain, follow with hydrogen peroxide
stain remover- borax or baking soda, or vinegar followed by hydrogen peroxide, if spot can be bleached, or try liquid dish soap
Laundry whitener- Add 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide or borax to your whites
laundry softener- borax
laundry scents-put a few splashes of scented oil on a dish towel, throw in dryer with wet clothes
Awsome- thanks! Also, check this out: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/be-clean-and-green-on-a-budget.html it breaks down the cost issuse! Homemade beats them all hands down!
if reference to sara's comment on july 10th, another great book by annie bond is home enlightenment. practical earth-friendly advice for creating a nurturing, healthy, and toxin-free hone and lifestyle. i found a great recipe for "lysol". 1 cup of water, 20 drops of pure lavender essential oil. pour water into a spray bottle, add oil, and shake. spray on surfaces such as doorknobs and cutting boards. no need to rinse!
danielle
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