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From Toxic to Safe and Healthy Cleaning Products Guide |
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Adapted from
Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your
Home & Your Planet |
| Home |
| Conventional Products | Non-Toxic Alternatives |
Comments |
| All-Purpose Cleaner | White vinegar, water, biodegradable soap | Add a 50/50 water and vinegar solution to a spray bottle and add a spoonful of soap. |
| Biodegradable citrus cleaner | Choose from a variety of brands; regular strength or concentrated | |
| Borax | See directions on box. Borax has been around forever and is also a good laundry booster. | |
| White vinegar and baking soda |
Combine when ready to use--makes a
science-project like foam. I love this combo and constantly find new uses
for cleaning with them. Here are some: o Stubborn stains (let sit, then rinse) o Stainless steel o Water fountains o Silver o Brass o Stained glass |
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| Antibacterial products | 1 cup water 25 drops pure essence lavender oil |
Pour water into a spray bottle,
add lavender oil and shake. Spray onto surfaces—no need to wipe.
This spray is good for use on “high-touch” areas like doorknobs and phones when someone in the family is sick. |
| Brass Cleaner | Baking soda and white vinegar | See all-purpose cleaner |
| Carpet and upholstery cleaners | Cornstarch or baking soda | Sprinkle several pounds of cornstarch or baking soda on a nine by twelve carpet or liberally on upholstery, let sit for an hour and vacuum. For freshly soiled spots, use soda water or make a paste with baking soda and vinegar or soda water and scrub dirty area. A water-only steam machine is also an effective method for removing stains and dirt from carpets and upholstery. |
| Drain cleaner | Plunger | For clogged drains, a plunger, when used correctly, really works! The secret is to use water, as the weight of the water forces the clog to break through. T To unclog pipe, cover drain opening, turn on the water and allow some water to collect. Continue to allow water to run, remove cover and begin to plunge. |
| baking soda, vinegar and boiling water | Pour ½ cup baking soda, then ½ cup vinegar into drain, wait five minutes and follow with boiling water. | |
| Dust sprays | Microfiber cloth and sheep wool duster with extension pole |
Dust clings to both these
products, making dust sprays unnecessary. Just shake outside and wash cloth. Microfiber cloths work really well for cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, too. |
| Furniture polish | Olive oil, white vinegar, water | Mix ½ teaspoon light olive oil, ¼ cup white vinegar and water to fill a one quart container. Apply mixture and wipe with a clean rag. |
| Lemon juice, vegetable oil | Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice in 1 pint of vegetable oil. Apply a small amount with a cotton cloth (old undershirts work really well) and wipe wood furniture. | |
| Beeswax with oil |
Several food quality brands are
available and work well on furniture. Look for "food quality"; ie for salad bowls |
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| Mold removers (bleach) | White vinegar, tea tree oil |
Mix in a spray bottle. Spray
liberally on mold and let sit a few minutes. Scrub with brush (you may need more spray) and rinse. For tough problems, call a specialist. |
| Silver cleaner | White vinegar and baking soda | See all-purpose cleaner |
| White toothpaste | Good for small objects, like jewelry. Rub on piece and rinse off with water. | |
| Stainless steel cleaners | Bon Ami | Sprinkle on a cloth and wipe. Rinse cloth and wipe off any residue. This works extremely well on stainless appliances. |
| Toilet bowl cleaner | White vinegar | Pour 2 cups of white vinegar in toilet bowl and let stand overnight |
| Pumice stone | If a watermark still remains, rub stain with a wet pumice stone. Pumice stone will not scratch porcelain. | |
| Borax | Apply and scrub. | |
| Wax removers | Freezer, newspaper and iron |
If possible, freeze item that
has wax drippings and peel off. If not, remove what you can. Then place newspaper below and above wax and iron on low setting. The wax will transfer to newspaper. Keep moving paper until all the wax is removed and then launder. |
| Window, glass and mirror cleaner | White vinegar, water, biodegradable soap, alcohol |
For windows and tough jobs,
generous amount of vinegar, hot water, spoonful of soap and a couple ounces of rubbing alcohol in a bucket. Use a squeegee and rags to clean windows. |
| White vinegar and water | 50/50 water and vinegar in a spray bottle cleans mirrors and glass. | |
| Home | ||
| Copyright 2007 Norma Lehmeier Hartie |