safer cleaning.

a recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle reveals that many common commercial cleaners (including Simply Green) contain the chemical EGBE that has been linked to fertility disorders. although there are many environmental cleaning products on the market now, it is always cheaper and more sustainable to make your own. below are some tips and recipes I found while researching homemade alternatives.

-all purpose spray cleaner
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
combine in a spray bottle and use for surfaces.

-toilet bowel cleaner
use undiluted vinegar

-abrasive cleaner
sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge for bathtubs, sinks and refrigerators. for tougher grime, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the tub or sink, and allow to stand for 10 to 20 minutes.

-glass cleaner
club soda is an effective glass cleaner. or try this recipe:
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon non-toxic liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand.

-bleaching
lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent. put lemon juice onto white linens and clothing and allow them to dry in the sun. stains will be bleached away.

-removing rust
sprinkle a little bit of salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until it is nicely soaked in lime juice. leave the mixture on for two or three hours. use the leftover rind as a scrubber.

-furniture polish
1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)
1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice
mix the ingredients in a glass jar. dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.

-mold killer
2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water
combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. do not rinse.

-laundry powder
1/4 cup Washing Soda (not the same as baking soda. it is found in the laundry aisle of some stores)
1/4 cup Borax
1/4 cup grated natural soap
you can also mix these together in larger amounts and store for later use.

-fabric softener
add 1/4 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle.


ideas for even more formulas are available on eartheasy.com