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ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE » Easy-to-use chart of natural cleaning agents
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Easy-to-use chart of natural cleaning agents
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Safe Alternatives to Common Household Products: These alternatives may require a little more "elbow grease", however the benefits are worth it-improved indoor air quality, decreased exposure to chemicals, fewer waste disposal concerns, convenience and lower costs. | For this | Try this | | Cleaning Products | | | All purpose cleaner | 1 tsp soap + 1 tsp borax + squeeze of lemon + 1 quart of warm water | | For tough grease | add ½ cup of ammonia | | Bleach | borax | | Dish detergent | natural liquid soap or phosphate free product, such as VIP | | Drain cleaner | ½ cup of white vinegar + ½ cup of baking soda. Cover tightly 1 minute then flush. Next ½ cup of salt + ½ cup of baking soda + 6 cups boiling water. Let sit several hours then flush with water. | | Disinfectant | ½ cup borax + 1 gallon hot water | | Glass cleaner | white vinegar + water - wipe with old newspaper | | Hand cleaner (paint/grease) | baby oil | | Laundry detergent | 1 cup of pure soap flakes or powder+ 3 tbsp washing soda | | Linoleum floor cleaner | 1 cup of white vinegar + 2 gallons of water | | Oven cleaner | 2 tbsp of liquid soap + 2 tsp borax + warm water | | For baked on grease | mix paste of baking soda + salt + water | | Rug or carpet cleaner | 2 cup cornmeal + 1 cup borax - sprinkle, leave for about 1 hour then vacuum | | Scouring powder | Baking soda | | Toilet bowl cleaner | Paste of borax + lemon juice - let stand then scrub | | Tub/tile cleaner | ½ cup of baking soda + ½ up of white vinegar, or drop 1000mg Vitamin C, leave overnight then scrub | | Spot/Stain Remover | | | Aluminum spot remover | 2 tbsp cream of tartar + 1 quart of hot water | | Coffee cup stain remover | moist salt | | Coffee pot stains | mix ice + salt | | Grease removal | borax on damp cloth | | Ink spot remover | cold water + 1 tbspn cream of tartar + 1 tbsp lemon juice | | Mildew remover | equal parts of white vinegar + salt | | Oil stain remover | white chalk rubbed into stain before laundering | | Porcelain stain remover | baking soda | | Rug/carpet stain remover | club soda | | Rust spot removal (clothing) | carbonated beverage | | Scorch mark removal | grated onion | | Spot removal | club soda + lemon juice or salt | | Upholstery spot removal | club soda | | Water mark removal | toothpaste | | Wine stain removal | salt | | Pesticides/Herbicides | | | Ant killer | Red chili powder at point of entry or mix 1 tbspn sugar + 1 tbspn borax + 2 tbspn water to make syrup. Place in flat dish near infestation. | | Fertilizer | compost + vermiculture | | Flea killer (on pets) | feed animals garlic, tablets of Vitamin B or brewers yeast - talk to vet regarding quantity for your pet. | | Fly killer | well watered pot of basil | | Insects on plants | 3 tsp pure soap + 4 litres of water - spray on plant leaves and pests | | Mosquito repellent | burn citronella candles or citronella oilmoth repellent | | Moth repellent | cedar chips enclosed in cotton sachets | | Nematode repellent | plant marigolds | | Roach repellent | chopped bay leaves + cucumber skins or place borax in cracks | | Slug/snail repellent | onion + marigold plants | | Polishes | | | Brass polish | Worcestershire sauce | | Chrome polish | apple cider vinegar | | Copper polish | lemon juice + salt | | Furniture polish | 1 tbspn of lemon oil + 1 pint mineral oil or linseed oil | | Shoe polish | banana peel | | Silver polish | place in container: 1 quart warm water + 1 tbspn baking soda + 1 tbspn salt + piece of aluminum foil | | Stainless steel polish | olive oil | | Miscellaneous | | | Air freshener | simmer cinnamon + cloves | | Decal remover | soak in white vinegar | | Garbage disposal deodorizers | used lemons | | Grease fire (small) | baking soda | | Paint brush softener | hot vinegar | | Refrigerator deodorizer | open box of baking soda | Another approach. Here is a list of some common household products and how they can be used as cleaning agents. | Baking soda: | This is an all-purpose cleaner that is especially effective on glass coffee pots and glassware; removes red-wine stains from carpeting. A paste made with water can shine stainless steel and silver; the paste also can remove tea stains from cups and saucers. Make a paste with a castile- or vegetable-based liquid soap and a drop of essential oil (tea tree or lavender) to clean sinks, countertops, toilets and tubs. Pour 1 cup down the sink to clear a clogged drain, followed by 3 cups of boiling water. | | Boiling water: | Use weekly to flush drains and avoid clogs. | | Coarse salt: | Cleans copper pans and scours cookware. Sprinkle salt on fresh spills in the oven, then wipe off. Sprinkle salt on rust stains and squeeze a lime or lemon over them, let sit for several hours and wipe off. | | Grapefruit-seed extract: | Add to water in a spray bottle for an odorless way to kill mold and mildew. | | Lemon juice: | Use as a bleaching agent on clothing, and to remove grease from your stove and countertops. Add 2 Tbsp lemon juice to 10 drops of (real) lemon oil and a few drops of jojoba oil to clean and polish wood furniture. | | Olive oil: | Use to lubricate and polish wood furniture (three parts olive oil to one part vinegar; or two parts olive oil with one part lemon juice). | | Potatoes: | Halved potatoes can remove rust from baking pans or tinware – follow with a salt scrub or dip the potato in salt before scrubbing. | | Tea tree oil: | Can be added to vinegar/water solutions for its antibacterial properties. Use it to kill mold and mildew, and on kitchen and bathroom surfaces instead of chemical products. Add 50 drops to a bucket of water to clean countertops and tile floors. | | Toothpaste (white, plain): | Cleans silver; can remove water stains on wood furniture – dab on, allow it to dry and wipe off | | Water: | Mix with essential oil (lavender or tea tree) and spray on kitchen or bathroom surfaces for an environmentally and people-friendly antibacterial spray. | | White vinegar: | Cleans linoleum floors and glass (from windows to shower doors) when mixed with water and a little liquid soap (castile or vegetable). Cuts grease and removes stains; removes soap scum and cleans toilets (add a bit of baking soda if you like). Pour down drains once a week for antibacterial cleaning. Add to water in a spray bottle to kill mold and mildew. |
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