SAFE HOUSE CLEANING RECIPES
Dishes: Use liquid or powdered soap. Try to stay away from detergents since they are made from petroleum. If you do use detergent, make sure they are phosphate-free and biodegradable as there are water-related environmental issues with these products.
Windows & Mirrors: Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar with 1/2 tsp liquid soap (ie. Dr. Bronner’s) and 2 cups water and pour in spray bottle. Add a few drops of any essential oil for scent (optional). Try using crumpled newspaper for lint free cleaning.
Tub Sink Tiles & Toilet: Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with enough liquid soap to make a frosting-like consistency. You may add 5-10 drops of any essential oils (rose, lavender, tea tree) for aroma and to boost antimicrobial activity after mixing first 2 ingredients. 1/4 cup vinegar mixed with 2 cups water in a spray bottle is an effective disinfectant for the toilet bowl. Just spray along the rim, leave on for 15 minutes and then scrub with a brush.
Floor Shine: Mix 1/4 cup liquid soap and up to 1/2 cup white vinegar or lemon juice with 2 gallons warm water. Use with mop or sponge. Do not use on floors where manufacturer directs to avoid mild detergents.
Oven Cleaner: Sprinkle the bottom of the oven with 1 small or medium-sized box of baking soda. Spray with water until very damp and keep it moist by spraying every few hours. Let it sit overnight, scoop it out in the morning and rinse the oven until clean. If the oven is extremely dirty, substitute washing soda (use gloves) for half the baking soda.
Furniture Polish: Mix a few tablespoons with 1/2 tsp of lemon juice or vinegar and use cloth to polish furniture.
Drain Cleaner: Commercial drain cleaners can be extremely caustic. Remember, we use that water after it has been treated at the waste-water treatment plant. It is much safer to use a plunger or a plumber’s snake.
Brass and Copper Polish. Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle it with salt and rub the lemon on whatever needs to be polished. Buff with a cloth to remove excess lemon juice. Or for copper, rub with hot vinegar and salt.
Silver Polish. Put a sheet of aluminum foil into a plastic or glass bowl. Sprinkle the foil with salt and baking soda, then fill the bowl with warm water. Just soak your silver in the bowl and the tarnish will migrate to the aluminum foil. Finally, dry and buff your silver. Or rub with a paste of baking soda and water, rinse and dry.
Fabric Softener: 1 cup vinegar or 1/4 cup baking soda during final rinse.
Spray starch: Dissolve 2 tsp cornstarch in 2 cups cold water in a spray bottle. Shake before each use.
Air Deodorizer: Open windows and let the sun shine in; Burn unscented beeswax or soy candles. Avoid petroleum based paraffin candles which pollute the air.
