Natural Cleaning

August 5, 2008Kate Schell

What is Natural “Green” Cleaning? Cleaning which protects your health and

the environment Made with natural “non-toxic” ingredients Less packaging waste

Remember… The word “natural” is undefined and

unregulated Be wary of eco-safe, environmentally safe,

green terms on packaging Always do your homework

Why do we use so many chemicals while cleaning? FEAR! Big Business/Media Convenience

Cleaners/Chemicals to Avoid Bleach Ammonia

What’s in it? Formula 409: Ethylene Oxide Pledge Polish: Petroleum, Naptha Windex: 2-Butoxyethanol, Ether Murphy’s Oil Soap: Potassium Hydroxide,

Ethanol Cheer Laundry Soap: Ethanol, Borax,

Ethanolamine

Cleaning Hints Minimize dust: Remove that excess clutter Go “no shoes” Vacuum often Keep bedrooms clean: most of your time is

spent here Clean from the top to the bottom

What do I need to make my own cleaners? Vinegar Borax Baking Soda Cornstarch Murphy’s Oil Soap Bucket Spray Bottle Dish Cloths or Rags

Essential Oils Lemons Vodka

Best Cleaning Oils Thyme Tea Tree Citrus Lavender Eucalyptus Pine Clove Peppermint Rosemary

Vinegar (acetic acid) Excellent disinfectant

80-99% kill rate Cuts grease, removes

stains Natural fabric softener

Borax (sodium borate) Natural mineral Kills mold and mildew Alternative to bleach –

deodorizes, boosts cleaning power of soap

Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate)

Originally from the mineral natron

Now synthetically made of sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide

Great silver polisher and light scrub

DO NOT use on aluminum

Window Cleaner ½ cup vinegar 2 cups water ¼ teaspoon Murphy’s ¼ teaspoon essential

oil

1 cup rubbing alcohol or vodka

1 cup water 1 tablespoon vinegar

Everyday Cleaner ½ cup vinegar ½ cup borax ½ gallon hot water ¼ teaspoon essential oil

Floor Cleaner 1 cup vinegar ¼ cup borax 1 tablespoon Murphy’s 2 gallons hot water

Furniture Cleaner & Polish ¼ cup vinegar ¼ olive oil ¼ teaspoon lemon essential oil

Note:Other essential oils may damage the woodfinish!

Carpet Deodorizer 1 small container baking soda ½ cup cornstarch ½ teaspoon essential oil Shaker can is optional

Let sit 15 minutes to absorb odors

Pots & PansFor burnt on food (I know this never happens to you!)

2 T baking soda 1 quart water

Bring water and baking soda to a boil and then let sit 5 minutes. Wash as usual. The stuck on food will come right off.

Drain Cleaner ½ cup baking soda 1 cup vinegar 1 gallon (very hot but not boiling water)

Pour the baking soda down the drain and follow with the vinegar. Immediately plug the drain. Allow to sit for 15 minutes. Rinse drain with the hot water.

Fabric Softener ½ cup vinegar

Add to the fabric softener dispenser and wash as usual.

Porcelain Sink Cleaner Rub with cream of tartar and a damp rag

Bathroom Deodorizer Sprinkle a few drops of essential oil inside

a toilet paper roll. Everytime the roll is turned the scent will be released.

Sterling Silver Polish 1 piece aluminum foil 2 T baking soda 2 quarts very hot water

Place the foil in a GLASS pan. Place silver on top, sprinkle with baking soda and pour on the water.

DO NOT use with patterned antiqued silver or on silver with patina.Chemical reaction removes tarnish uniformly.