We all want to be environmentally responsible, however, with the recession in full swing, sometimes we aren’t willing (or able) to pay hefty prices for cleaning products that claim to be natural and non-toxic. Save your dollars (we know you worked hard for them!) and look to your pantry to create the following natural, effective cleaning recipes from Green Clean by Linda Mason Hunter.
Basic ingredients
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and works best on proteins, grease and animal messes because it’s abrasive and can be used for scouring. Distilled white vinegar is a mild acid that works on alkaline substances, dissolving scale, mold and soap scum. It also works great on coffee, tea and rust stains. Simple soaps like castile soap, attach to soil and let you rinse away dirt with water.
Recipes
Baking Soda
Add enough soap to 1/8 cup baking soda to make a creamy mixture. Apply with sponge to clean; rinse the surface well and then discard.
Toilet Cleaner
Sprinkle toilet bowl with ¼ cup baking soda and drizzle with ¼ cup distilled white vinegar, then scour with a toilet brush.
Oven cleaner
Sprinkle oven with ½ cup baking soda and spray with water. Let sit for several hours or overnight before scraping stains and spills. Rinse thoroughly with water.
Hardwood floor cleaner (my personal favorite)
In a bucket, mix ½ cup distilled white vinegar with one gallon hot water. Mop wood or linoleum floors, then rinse with water, making sure not to leave pools of water to dry.
