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Article:
"Simple, Fast and Easy, Eco-Friendly Cleaning"
Written by Dipali Desai
Have you wondered how to clean your home using basic products that are non-toxic to you as well as the environment? Using environmental friendly products has positive health benefits. Once you understand the basics, it is fun to experiment with these new ideas. Here are few simple ingredients that are safe, effective and useful for cleaning. The following information is presented to you for your consideration and exploration. Remember, helping planet Earth begins from home. Happy Cleaning!
Liquid Soaps and Detergents
Commercial soaps and detergents may have strong chemicals and fumes. Some paper products clog the septic system. It is helpful to explore and research new products that will cut down on the pollution into the water supply.Few recommended brands that are eco-friendly, reasonable in price and non-toxic are;
Baking Soda
Baking Soda is a common household ingredient that is readily available. What is Baking Soda made of? It is made from soda ash, and if you test it on the PH scale it is slightly alkaline (7 is neutral on the scale and baking soda ranks 8.1 pH). It neutralizes all kinds of odors. You can sprinkle it on a slightly moist sponge or cleaning cloth and can be utilized as a non-abrasive cleanser for the bathtub, kitchen, countertops, tiles, sinks, laundry room tubs, ovens, floors, and birdbaths. It can neutralize smoke and other chemicals.
- Add it into the laundry (per load), and odors from clothes are also neutralized.
- It is useful as a carpet deodorizer, air freshener, cleanser, in shoe closets and any other damp place including basements (that are wet or tendency to be moist).
- Make small pouches and place inside shoes, or place a box in the basement or garage where the trash can is.
- Place a box of Baking Soda refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors.
Lemon Juice and White Vinegar
Both of these common household ingredients are acidic in nature. Did you know acid dissolves gummy build up, removes dirt from wood and eats away tarnish? Both of these ingredients are great to help dissolve hard water or soup residue.
- Use White Vinegar to clean Toilet Bowls. Spray or pour the vinegar inside the rim or toilet, scrub, wipe clean and or flush.
- Orange or Lemon peel or juice is great to clean up the garbage disposal in the kitchen. Place thin peel or pour some juice into the disposal, scrub and rinse.
- White Vinegar may need extra clean up after due to its strong smell. Be sure to use fresh water to wipe down the areas afterwards as not to leave any reside.
Silver (and small metal) Cleaners
- White Toothpaste
White Toothpaste is helpful in cleaning metal and silver on small surfaces. Dab some on your finger and rub into the tarnished area. Then rinse the metal or silver and dry with soft cloth. - Baking Soda Paste:
For some of the larger areas, you could use baking soda and a clean damp sponge, then rinse and dry. Or make a baking soda paste (baking soda and water). Take the paste, place it on the sponge and rub into the silver. Then be sure to rinse with warm to hot water thoroughly and dry with soft cloth. If the area is really badly tarnished, you may leave on the baking soda past for a bit before cleaning off. - Incense Powder:
After you light an Incense stick, you may find there is a fine powder that is left. Take some of the incense powder dust and gently use to clean tarnished silver. Then wash with warm soapy water, rinse and polish with a soft cloth. Some of the rougher pieces in the incense powder may scratch the surfaces of fine silver pieces. Be sure to experiment on small area before using it in a larger surface.
Natural Disinfectants
Many of the essential oils are great for this. Few of the suggestions are; lavender (anti- bacterial), tea-tree (excellent natural fungicide), cedarwood, clove, and clary-sage. You may use approximately 12- 20 drops of essential oil to 2 cups of water or in a water spray bottle.
- 1-1 1/2 cup water
- 15-20 drops pure essential oil of Lavender (or any of the other essential oils listed above or combination of oils)
- Directions:
Pour the water into a spray bottle. Add the lavender essential oil and shake to blend. Spray on the surface and let set for at least 15 minutes, or don't rinse at all. - Never get essential oils near your eyes, or to put them directly on your skin. Essential oils must be diluted in a carrier oil or lotion if it is to be place on the skin.
- Use only clean spray bottles, and ones that have never contained toxic poisons or chemicals
- Note: Homemade herbal antibacterial sprays are not professional grade disinfectants.
To cleanse mildew and mold, apply hydrogen peroxide straight from the bottle and wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Sometimes a bit of baking soda also helps to scrub the tough areas.
Suggested Solution:
Lavender Antibacterial Spray
Amount: 1-cup spray
Pre-Caution
NOTE: As with anything, please use a healthy dose of common sense when applying any of the suggestions in this article. Extra research may also be beneficial.
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