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Green
Spring Cleaning 
Reprinted
with permission from Canadian Parents Online
www.canadianparents.com
There
are many recipes for environmentally safe cleaning, here we provide
just a few of the recipes community members have used to keep
their homes clean and green! If you would like to learn more about
these products and combinations before using them we suggest you
visit your local library or do a search on the internet looking
for environmental sites and books.
Green
Cleaning substances
Vinegar
Helps
to remove stains, wax buildup and mildew.
Use
to clean windows, fireplaces, grout, paintbrushes, glass and coffeepots.
Pure
Soap
Helps
to clean almost everything
Use
to clean your dishes, car, kids bikes.
Baking
Soda
Helps
to clean and deodorize, will act as a scouring agent, polisher,
stain removal and fabric softener.
Use
to clean your plastic, vinyl, carpet, silver, stainless steel,
drains and refresh your fridge.
Borax
Helps
to clean and deodorize.
Use
on wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
Use
it with your detergents to remove stains, and boost the cleaning
power.
Washing
Soda
Helps
to clean clothing and soften the water.
Use
it in a well ventalated area, wear gloves.
Washing
soda is moderately toxic.
Ammonia
Strong cleanser
Use it to clean carpet, linoleum, most appliances, copper and
enamel.
ALWAYS
USE IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA AND NEVER MIX WITH CHLORINE BLEACH,
THE MIXTURE WILL CREATE A POISONOUS GAS.
Window
and Glass Cleaner
While
there is nothing unique about this recipe... it works!
Newspaper, Vinegar and Elbow grease!
All
Purpose Cleaner
125
ml ammonia
75
ml washing soda
4
L warm water
Combine
and use to clean your floors, tiles and painted walls.
This will also deodorise so you will not have a need to use harmful
deodorisers in your home!
Disinfectant
If
you use environmentally-friendly cleansers regularily you will
find they keep the air clean.
Store bought cans etc.. contain many harmful ingredients.. and
are costly.
Descaler
One
part vinegar with two parts water is all you need to clean your
kettle and iron.
Kettle
- pour into the kettle bring to a boil, rinse well.
Iron
- Put some in the resevoir, let it stand for 30 minutes, rinse
well.
Tub
& Tile Cleaner
Baking
soda and a damp cloth will clean your tub and tiles.
You may need to use a brush to get into the grout but this will
do the job without an environmental hazards.
Toilet
Bowl Cleaner
Mix
borax and lemon juice into a paste.
Wet the sides of the toilet bowl, rub and let stand for a few
hours.
Scrub off and flush! (if you don't have stains you can let stand
for less time)
Oven
Cleaner
There
are many "green" recipes for oven cleaners. Since most call for
the use of Ammonia we suggest you contact your local environmental
office for ideas. Toxic fumes with young children do not mix.
Don't be fooled by the commercial brands saying "no fumes." What
you can't smell can be as harmful as what you can smell.
Drain
Opener
A
plunger will usually do the trick.. if not try this recipe
250ml
baking soda
250ml
salt
125ml
vinegar (white)
Pot
of boiling water (kettle if you have one)
Pour
the soda, salt and vinegar down the drain, leave for 15-20 minutes.
Pour on boiling water.
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