Thursday, February 24, 2011

Cleaning: Green Solutions

I don't like cleaning with chemicals specifically because I don't want the kids to get into them.  Cleaning products is the last thing I want to have to worry about protecting from them so I clean mostly with Vinegar!  Doesn't smell the best but if the kids get into it, it won't hurt them please they won't like the taste either.  I picked up this book at the library the other and typed out the cleaning solutions that I am going to try.  It was a great book with LOTS of information.



From Book: Clean Home, Green Home (KNACK-Make it Easy- Kimberly Delaney)

Dishwashing Soap
  • ¼ cup castile soap
  • ½ cup water
  • 5-10 drops lavender or rosemary essential oil
  • Combine in a reusable glass bottle with pour spout for easy use

All-purpose Solution
  • 1 cup vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons borax
  • ½ teaspoon castile soap
  • 2 cups hot water
  • Combine in large spray bottle and shake until borax dissolves.  Store and use indefinitely.

Antibacterial Spray
  • 10-12 drops lavender oil or tea tree oil
  • 1 cup water
  • Store and use indefinitely in small spray bottles

Damp Dusting Spray
  • ½ cup white distilled vinegar
  • A few drops olive oil or jojoba oil
  • 3-5 drops essential oil or choice (optional)

Polish Recipe
  • ½ cup white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • Combine ingredients and shake well

To get rid of water or heat rings on your table
  • Wipe the area with a damp sponge
  • Mix mayo and fireplace ask to a paste.  The ash grit buffs the finish and the mayo lubricates the wood
  • Dip soft cotton or flannel cloth in the mixture and rub onto area
  • Wipe the paste off with cloth.  Polish the table to even out the look

Glass and Mirror Cleaner- Beginner
  • 1 cup white distille vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon castile soap
  • 2 cups water
  • Combine and store in spray bottle.  Keep the ratio of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water and you can fill any size bottle.

Glass and Mirror Cleaner- Advanced
  • 1 cup white distilled vinegar
  • 2 cups water
  • Combine and store in spray bottle

Easy Laundry Soap
  • ⅛ cup castile soap
  • ½ cup washing soda (to cut grease)
  • ½ cup borax (to remove stains)
  • Optional: Add ¼ cup vinegar to rinse cycle to soften fabrics and water
  • Combine.  If your clothes don’t feel clean enough, increase the castile soap until you’re satisfied with the results.

DIY Fabric Softner
  • Add ¼ cup vinegar to the rinse cycle to soften clothes and eliminate static

Leather Cleaner
  • ½ cup jojoba oil
  • ⅛ cup distilled white vinegar
  • Rub into leather with a soft cloth for cleaning and conditioning.  Do no use on suede.

Sealed wood floor damp-mop solution
  • ⅛ cup castile soap
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • 2 gallons warm water
  • Optional addition: If you’re cleaning up a spill that may have bacteria in it, add 10-20 drops of lavender, rosemary, tea tree or eucalyptus oil to mixture

1 comment:

  1. Thanks Salena! I use vinegar a lot too but love the wood floor recipe you gave!

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