http://www.care2.com/greenliving/cut-to-the-chase-cleaning.html
Cut-to-the-Chase Cleaning: Top Formulas
By Annie B. Bond, author of Better Basics for the Home (Three Rivers Press, 1999).
One of the first questions out of reporters’ mouths when they call me is how a consumer can tell what is a truly green product and what isn’t? Not easily, especially now that mainstream companies such as Clorox are jumping into the fray with their Green Works line. Why not play it safe with these four best basic formulas that always work?
When it comes down to it, do-it-yourself non-toxic cleaning using tried-and-true kitchen cupboard ingredients is still the best green practice. Simple, successful, non-toxic and natural. Here are four great formulas that will never fail you:
Soft Scrub
This superstar formula is as good for cleaning the bathtub as it is for stainless steel appliances and shower stalls.
1/2 cup baking soda
Enough liquid soap or detergent to make a frosting-like consistency
5 drops antibacterial essential oil such as lavender, tea tree oil, or rosemary (optional)
Pour the baking soda in a bowl; slowly pour in the liquid soap or detergent, stirring all the while, until the consistency reaches that of frosting. Scoop the creamy mixture onto a sponge, wash the surface, and rinse.
Window Cleaner
Nothing works as well as this formula for windows, so why look further? Besides, once it is made you can double it up as a great degreaser, especially handy in the kitchen.
1/4 cup vinegar (distilled, white, 5%)
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups of water
Combine in a spray bottle. Shake to blend.
All-Purpose Cleaner
Here you meet the wonders of washing soda (commonly found in the laundry section of the supermarket), and its super heavy-duty alkaline cleaning power.
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
A dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.
Deodorizer, Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Vinegar is astonishing as an acidic cleaning powerhouse. Heinz references studies that say vinegar kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of old, and 80 percent of germs.
5 percent straight white distilled vinegar
Pour the vinegar into a spray bottle, and spray directly onto areas to be cleaned or deodorized. Don’t rinse!
For more information, read The Five Basics for Non-Toxic Cleaning.
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65 comments
add your comment »I can solve all of your cleaning issues with one single ingredient; d-limonene.
d-Limonene is expressed from the oil and peel of the Citrus Sinensis fruit. Orange terpenes are a super-concentrated multi-purpose cleaner and degreaser that is 100% natural, biodegradable, safe, and non-toxic.
You can see full applications and details at www.GreenTerpene.com
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Mirrors in bathrooms I clean mine with a wet face flannel(wrung out) add a small amount of hair shampoo to it and wipe over mirrors,not only keeps them clean but also stops them steaming(fogging up) after a shower.It only has to be done every 4-6 weeks.
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All of the suggestions are really good ones. But if any of you have ever had to go hiking or camping I found a perfect cleaqner for everything. Dr.Bronners soaps. It comes in many different scents like spearmint and lavender and you can use it on anything. I found it is good for doing the laundry, and cleaning my body and hair. That's a good deal when you don't have a lot of money but you want toget clean. I have found it at Whole Foods Stores and at EMS outdoors goods places.
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Clorox "Green Works" that's a contradiction in terms. Clorox is one of the worst offenders when it comes to animal testing and polluting there is. If you don't want to make your own cleaning products, there are other companies out there to choose from besides Clorox, that are 'earth' friendly.
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I have used all of recipes here-and they all work great. The soft scrub works great for showers-everything rinsed really clean. It's nice to know what you put in your cleaning products-and it's also nice to have a house than smells clean-and not full of chemicals!
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Hello Shannon: Why spend more $$ than you need? The Clorox green line is 4 ounces for an all purpose cleaner. That makes only 7 (28 ounce bottle) mixes of all purpose cleaner. The Shaklee Basic-H takes only 1 tablespoon to do the same thing. www.shaklee.net/steve and it saves on the plastic thrown away. Shaklee is a leader in the environmental movement since 1960 when the H was introduced. Bill Clinton said some real nice things about Shaklee. Many organizations and people in the movement hold Shaklee in very high regard in this field. Stuff works, company is very responsible, the cost is less than 20 cents per gallon solution and there is no smell. Yes I have used it for 26 years and would love to tell you more. Steve
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Well, I am surprised you have asked. As we have discussing that on another "thread". Here is one comment:
Steve, thanks for the info. FCOD is "fixed cut off date" for ingredient testing on animals. I didn't know much about it until now. I was just sort of shocked that people got upset about Ecover but said nothing about the Clorox products mentioned. I have seen their products in stores and I know it's a start for them but I will NEVER support Clorox no matter how "green" the product is. They are one of the worst when it comes to animal testing and polluting our earth/children etc.
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What type of liquid soap or detergent are you using?
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What does anyone think about the Cloreox "Green Works" products?? They are biodegradable, lemon, corn, and coconut based with no bleach or phosphates. No excuses, but making my own cleaners is kind of a pain and these are all less than $3.00 each.
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I should clarify about using vinegar in my dishwasher. I put a cup or two in it and run a load with out any dishes in it. Cleans it out beautifully.
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