Clean Green

By: Rachel Tanis

There’s been a lot of hype lately on cleaning green. Some people are even hosting parties where the main event is making eco-friendly cleaners. These cleaners are usually organic or natural with no harmful chemicals. If eco-friendly cleaning is something that you can tackle, try on some of these “recipes” and tips for green cleaning supplies. Just remember to exercise some caution. Even though these are natural ingredients, they are still very abrasive, aggressive cleaning agents. They might damage upholstery, metal, ceramic or fixtures. Be sure to test in a conspicuous spot first. While preparing these cleaning products do so in a well-ventilated area.

RECIPES AND TIPS FOR GREEN CLEANING SUPPLIES

TO CLEAN A GARBAGE DISPOSAL
-Clean and freshen the scent of a garbage disposal by slicing a lemon and throwing it into the disposal. Run the disposal until the lemon is gone. You can also throw ice cubes into the disposal to sharpen its blades.

TO REMOVE STAINS, SUCH AS CARPET STAINS

Ingredients:
-First try: Soda Water
-If stain still persists, then try: Hydrogen Peroxide
Directions: Apply liquid and then wait 10-20 minutes. Blot – don’t rub!


WINDOW CLEANER
Ingredients:
-2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
-1 quart of warm water

Directions:
Mix ingredients thoroughly and pour into a spray bottle.
Spray onto windows and wipe clean with a towel or microfiber cloth.


TO WHITEN OR REMOVE STAINS, SUCH AS GROUT STAINS
Ingredients:
-1 cup hydrogen peroxide
-2 cups water

Directions:
Mix together and wipe or spray onto stain. This works especially well on grout.
Let sit for a few minutes until dry and wipe with a damp cloth.

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER: Lemon-Baking Soda Cleaner

Ingredients:
-1/2 cup of baking soda
-Liquid soap
-1/2 of a lemon

Directions:
Combine baking soda with enough liquid soap to form a paste.
Rub paste onto ½ of a lemon – or squeeze lemon juice into the paste for a fresh scent.
Use cleaner on ½ of the lemon to scrub stove tops, sinks and more – or – use paste with lemon juice in it with a rag.
Wipe clean with a fresh rag.

TUB CLEANER

Ingredients:
-Vinegar
-Water, optional

Directions:
Dilute with water in a spray bottle, or use undiluted for a more powerful cleaner. But be careful with vinegar – it is powerful enough to etch tiles and corrode some fixtures. Vinegar works especially well on soap scum and mineral deposits.