How to Clean While Protecting the Environment

Freshen the garbage disposal with lemons.

Enjoy the scent and sheen of a freshly cleaned home without exposing your family or the environment to caustic chemicals. Turn to natural cleaners that are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, biodegradable, chlorine and phosphate free. While these cleaners may be gentle on the environment, they can be every bit as tough on dirt as synthetic chemical cleaners. Nature provides the alkalines, acids and oils to tackle any tough cleaning job.

Things You'll Need

• Lemons
• Distilled white vinegar
• Cooking oil
• Oil-based soap
• Essential oils
• Salt
• Baking soda
• Washing soda

Instructions

Acids

1. Replace all purpose cleaning solutions, toilet bowl cleaners and tub and tile cleaners with naturally acidic cleaners.

2. Slice a lemon and use the juice to clean cutting boards, add to dish washing water for grease cutting power, run the pieces though the garbage disposal to clean and disinfect, clean your hands after touching fish and add 1/2 cup to laundry to brighten whites.

3. Put white distilled vinegar to work on some of your toughest cleaning chores. Distilled white vinegar creates an environment that inhibits the growth of mold, mildew and some bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella. Clean your coffee maker with equal parts water and vinegar, pour vinegar down your drains to keep them working, clean mineral deposits from your iron with a mix of vinegar and water, then pour into the iron and push the steam button.

Oils

1. Start effective cleaning solutions with liquid Castile soap. Plant-based Castile soap loosens soil without harsh chemicals. Mix 1/4 cup of Castile soap in 2 gallons of hot water for a regular floor cleaning solution that won’t leave a film.

2. Use vegetable and plant-based oils to clean dirt and hydrate wood that has dried out. Cast iron can be cleaned with oil and salt mixed to make a scrubbing paste. For leather shoes, wipe away dirt with a damp sponge, then apply a drop of vegetable oil to a soft cloth and rub the surface to remove scuff marks. Use olive oil on stainless steel to make is shine.

3. Kill bacteria and mold by adding just a few drops of essential oil to your cleaning solution. Make an all-purpose antiseptic spray cleaner by mixing 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 30 drops of tea tree oil in 2 cups of water. Blend your own natural, long-lasting room fresheners with aromatic essential oils and water.

Scrubs and alkaline

1. Replace all-purpose foam cleaners, oven cleaners and scouring powders with alkaline cleaners and abrasive natural elements. Take dirt with a grain of salt – just add a couple of shakes ordinary table salt to grimy glassware to scour without scratching.

2. Absorb odors in refrigerators and litter pans with baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate. Make a paste of baking soda and water for a mild scouring solution that’s effective on scuffed walls and bathroom tile. Sprinkle baking soda on upholstery and carpeting to absorb light dirt and odor then vacuum away.

3. Put baking soda's stronger chemical cousin, sodium carbonate -- or washing soda -- to work on tough stains. Mix up your own extra-strength disinfecting spray cleaner by mixing 1/2 teaspoon washing soda, 1/2 teaspoon Castile soap and 3 tablespoons vinegar in 2 cups hot water. Make a paste of washing soda and water to clean a grease-stained garage floor. Let the paste sit overnight. Scrub with a stiff-bristle brush and rinse clean the following day.

Tips & Warnings

• Do research for other uses. There are way too many to mention all of them.

• Do not use if you are allergic or anyone around may be to the products mentioned.

References

• Keene State College; Green Cleaning
• University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture: Green and Clean
• Real Simple: 66 Natural Cleaning Solutions