Things You'll Need:
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Liquid castile soap (made from olive oil and sodium hydroxide)
- Mild liquid detergent
- Salt
- Soft clean cloth or natural sponge
- Scouring pad
- Spray bottle
- Paper towels
- Newspaper
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Step 1
Liquid castile soap, a sometimes forgotten product, is a terrific overall cleaner. Place a few drops on a wet cloth to clean wood, tile or linoleum. Rub briskly, then rinse thoroughly. Wipe carefully to remove residual traces.
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Step 2
Combine castile soap and baking soda to clean bathtubs and other porcelain fixtures. Rub with a wet rag, then rinse and wipe thoroughly.
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Step 3
Combine ¼ cup vinegar with 12 oz. of water in a spray bottle. Shake, then spray on windows or mirrors. Wipe with a clean rag or crumpled newspaper. For outdoor windows, use warm water and castile soap on a rag. Rinse, then squeegee to avoid streaks.
Or mix ¼ to ½ teaspoon mild liquid detergent, 2 Tablespoons vinegar and 2 cups water. Pour into a spray bottle, shake, then use as you ordinarily would a commercial cleaner. -
Step 4
Another way to clean linoleum is combine 1/2 cup vinegar in a bucket of warm water. Mop, then let dry.
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Step 5
For really dirty ovens, combine a cup of baking soda with enough water to form a paste. Coat oven surfaces, then let stand for at least 15 minutes. Wipe gently with paper towels. If spots remain, scrub with a scouring pad.
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Step 6
To unclog a drain, pour 1/2 cup baking soda, then 1/2 cup vinegar down the drain. When the fizzing stops, pour a cup of boiling water down the drain.
Repeat if necessary. -
Step 7
Cleaning copper pans and kettles is easy. Mix equal parts vinegar and salt, then apply to surface with a clean rag. Rinse thoroughly with warm water when done.
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Step 8
For a simple yet effective floor cleaner, pour ¼ cup mild dishwashing detergent in a bucket of warm water. Damp mop thoroughly. Rinse the mop thoroughly, twice. Wring the mop out, then mop again.
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Step 9
For an eco-friendly furniture polish, mix ½ tsp. oil (olive or jojoba) with 1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice in a glass container. Put a small amount on a clean cloth, then wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover, label and store the glass container for future use. It lasts almost indefinitely.
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Step 10
If your house has or had a mold problem, there’s an effective, non-chemical solution--tea tree oil. It’s not cheap, but it works. Combine 2 tsp. tea tree oil and 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Shake well, then spray on effected areas. DO NOT RINSE.
This makes 2 cups. This can be used on things like musty rugs, shower curtains, or moldy ceilings from a leaking roof.
Tea tree oil has a strong odor, but dissipates in a few days.
Another mold remedy is straight vinegar. It supposedly kills 82% of mold. Spray white vinegar on a moldy area and let sit. The smell dissipates in a few hours. -
Step 11
To whiten clothes, add 1/2 cup vinegar (white) to the final rinse cycle.
To brighten whites, add 1/2 cup borax to a medium wash load. There are websites offering prepared eco-friendly cleaning products. There are also companies that use eco-friendly products. You can find these on the Internet, or check your local phone book (see Resources below).
Comments
Mavyn said
on 1/20/2009 I love my baking soda and vinegar!