Green, inexpensive household cleaners
May 29, 2008
St. Charles
by Kris Kolk
Does your family run for gas masks after you’ve mopped the floor or cleaned the bathroom? Are you too high on cleaning fumes to notice their discontent?
Harsh household cleaners attack our noses, but they also expect consumers to pay through their noses for that non-homey science lab ambiance.
Basics such as: baking soda, white vinegar, dish detergent and olive oil can cover most household cleaning chores. They are also eco- and wallet-friendly.
Check out these gentle cleaning recipes:
Floor Cleaner—for vinyl floors
Mix one cup of white vinegar and one gallon of warm water in a bucket. After mopping with this mixture, rinse with a mopping of clean water.
Wood Floor Cleaner
Mix ½ cup white vinegar and one gallon of water. Squeeze mop until almost dry before mopping. Do not pour the mixture directly onto the floor. Immediately wipe any streaks with a dry towel. Rinse with an almost-dry rag of clean water.
“Scrubby” Cleaner—for sinks and counters (non-scratch)
Add a small amount of liquid dish detergent to some baking soda and mix until it becomes a paste-like consistency.
Window and Glass Cleaner
Pour 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 cups of water into a spray bottle and shake to mix. Use a new spray bottle (found at dollar stores) and label it.
Furniture Polish
Mix ½ cup white vinegar and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Use to dust and polish with a clean rag.
Toilet Bowl
Sprinkle the toilet bowl with baking soda then add white vinegar. Scrub with a toilet brush. Remove the brush and flush.
Drain Cleaner
1 cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar
1 pot of boiling water
Add the baking soda and vinegar to the pot of boiling water. Pour the hot mixture down the drain. Flush with tap water.
Add a pleasant scent
If you aren’t fond of that vinegary Easter egg scent, try adding an essential oil (found at health food stores) to your cleaner recipe. Eucalyptus, orange and lavender are just a few oils available.
Of course, never mix bleach with ammonia or vinegar. Hydrogen Peroxide makes a great bleach alternative for disinfecting and bleaching.
Copyright 2008 Neighbors About Town