It's time to go back to basics and stock up on simple pantry items like baking soda, white vinegar, kosher (coarse) salt and lemon juice. These basic ingredients can make up a variety of safe and biodegradable household cleaning products that clean your home just as well as the highly toxic commercial cleaning brands. Here are some easy recipes from thedailygreen.com:
Glass Cleaner (for windows and mirrors)
Mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a gallon of water, and dispense into a used spray bottle. Squirt on, then scrub with newspaper, not paper towels, which cause streaking. If you don't like the smell of vinegar, you can replace it with undiluted lemon juice or club soda.
For Wood Floors (how to restore natural glow)
Whip up a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar and 30 ounces of warm water. Put in a spray bottle, then spray on a cotton rag or towel until lightly damp. Then mop your floors, scrubbing away any grime.
Silver Cleaner
- Aluminum Foil, Boiling Water, Baking Soda and Salt: Line your sink or a bucket with aluminum foil, and drop in tarnished silver. Pour in boiling water, a cup of baking soda and a dash of salt. Let sit for a few minutes. The tarnish will transfer from the silver to the foil.
- Toothpaste: If you can't immerse your items or are otherwise inclined to polish by hand, rub tarnished silver with toothpaste and a soft cloth. Rinse with warm water and dry. Instead of toothpaste you can substitute a concoction made of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water.
Bathroom Cleaner
- Baking Soda and Water (with kosher salt): Dust surfaces with baking soda, then scrub with a moist sponge or cloth. If you have tougher grime, sprinkle on some kosher salt, and work up some elbow grease.
- Lemon Juice or Vinegar: Got stains, mildew or grease streaks? Spray or douse with lemon juice or vinegar. Let sit a few minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush.
Safe Disinfectant (great alternative to bleach)
Mix 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil.
Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/green-cleaning-spring-cleaning-460303#ixzz0MioFVnGS
