Madame Oak
02-25-2010, 02:54 PM
I forgot where I got this list from as I've had it saved in my computer for years... it's a great resource. I haven't tried all the cleaning solutions, but the ones I have tried work very well. I try to avoid as much toxic chemicals and VOCs in my home as possible and nearly all of my cleaning solutions are homemade. (Hey, it saves money too!) If you have any other green cleaning tips, please share!
Here goes ~
All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 2 liters water. It stores well so you can make a batch and continue using it
Air Freshener: Commercial air fresheners mask smells and coat nasal passages to diminish the sense of smell. Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors.
Bathroom mold: Mold in bathroom tile grout can be a health concern. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Wait an hour before rinsing or using shower.
Carpet stains: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.
Dishwasher Soap: Mix equal parts of borax and washing soda, but increase the washing soda if you have hard water.
Dishwashing Soap: Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of vinegar to liquid soap
Disinfectant: Mix 1/4 cup borax into 1/2 gallon hot water
Drain Cleaner: Pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup vinegar. The chemical reaction can break fatty acids down into soap and glycerin, allowing the clog to wash down the drain. After 15 minutes, pour in boiling water to clear residue. Only do this if you have metal pipes- plastic pipes can melt if excess boiling water is used- I learned that the hard way
Floor Cleaner and Polish:
Vinyl and linoleum: add a capful of baby oil to the cleaning water to preserve and polish.
Wood: apply a thin coat of 1:1 oil and vinegar and rub in well.
Painted wood: mix 1 teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon (4L) hot water.
Brick and stone tiles: mix 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon (4L) water; rinse with clear water.
Most floor surfaces can be easily cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water. For damp-mopping wood floors: mix equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Add 15 drops of pure peppermint oil; shake to mix, smells good too
Furniture Polish: For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Cloth should only be slightly damp. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.
For unvarnished wood, mix two tsps. each of olive oil and lemon juice and apply a small amount to a soft cotton cloth. Wring the cloth to spread the mixture further into the material and apply to the furniture using wide strokes. This helps distribute the oil evenly.
Mildew: Use white vinegar full strength. Apply using a sponge or a spray bottle, and do not rinse.
Mothballs: Cedar chips in a cheesecloth square, or cedar oil in an absorbent cloth will repel moths. The cedar should be 'aromatic cedar' or juniper.
Oven Cleaner: Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Sprinkle several layers of baking soda and let sit set for an hour. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots.
Rust Remover: Sprinkle a little salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until it is well soaked. Leave the mixture on for 2 - 3 hours. Use leftover rind to scrub residue.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work.
Tub and Tile Cleaner: rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder.
Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter (qt) warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Don't clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying. The All-Purpose Cleaner (above) also works well on windows.
Add tea tree oil or lavender to a lot of these for extra antibacterial properties!
Here goes ~
All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 2 liters water. It stores well so you can make a batch and continue using it
Air Freshener: Commercial air fresheners mask smells and coat nasal passages to diminish the sense of smell. Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors.
Bathroom mold: Mold in bathroom tile grout can be a health concern. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Wait an hour before rinsing or using shower.
Carpet stains: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.
Dishwasher Soap: Mix equal parts of borax and washing soda, but increase the washing soda if you have hard water.
Dishwashing Soap: Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of vinegar to liquid soap
Disinfectant: Mix 1/4 cup borax into 1/2 gallon hot water
Drain Cleaner: Pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup vinegar. The chemical reaction can break fatty acids down into soap and glycerin, allowing the clog to wash down the drain. After 15 minutes, pour in boiling water to clear residue. Only do this if you have metal pipes- plastic pipes can melt if excess boiling water is used- I learned that the hard way
Floor Cleaner and Polish:
Vinyl and linoleum: add a capful of baby oil to the cleaning water to preserve and polish.
Wood: apply a thin coat of 1:1 oil and vinegar and rub in well.
Painted wood: mix 1 teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon (4L) hot water.
Brick and stone tiles: mix 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon (4L) water; rinse with clear water.
Most floor surfaces can be easily cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water. For damp-mopping wood floors: mix equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Add 15 drops of pure peppermint oil; shake to mix, smells good too
Furniture Polish: For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Cloth should only be slightly damp. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.
For unvarnished wood, mix two tsps. each of olive oil and lemon juice and apply a small amount to a soft cotton cloth. Wring the cloth to spread the mixture further into the material and apply to the furniture using wide strokes. This helps distribute the oil evenly.
Mildew: Use white vinegar full strength. Apply using a sponge or a spray bottle, and do not rinse.
Mothballs: Cedar chips in a cheesecloth square, or cedar oil in an absorbent cloth will repel moths. The cedar should be 'aromatic cedar' or juniper.
Oven Cleaner: Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Sprinkle several layers of baking soda and let sit set for an hour. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots.
Rust Remover: Sprinkle a little salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until it is well soaked. Leave the mixture on for 2 - 3 hours. Use leftover rind to scrub residue.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work.
Tub and Tile Cleaner: rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder.
Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter (qt) warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Don't clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying. The All-Purpose Cleaner (above) also works well on windows.
Add tea tree oil or lavender to a lot of these for extra antibacterial properties!