I am presenting a Spring Cleaning segment for the ladies in Homemaking at church in April focusing on using natural, more safe methods and ingredients.
Since I have been troubled with the effects of what chemicals can do to me, short of sending me into a coughing fit, I have been very interested in finding safer, and efficient ways to clean.
The following is some of my handouts from Rebecca's Garden, a show on TV I really like and the others consist of sites I have found with neat ideas. Have fun and be safe!
http://rg.console.net/articles/In_the_Kitchen/Tools_and_Equipment/783.html
If you would like this e-mailed to you in a nice "printer friendly version", just pm me your e-mail address and I will send it to you that way.
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Nancy's Natural Cleaning Resources
http://nancysnatural.expage.com/index.html
Make your Own Natural Cleaning Products. It is fun to get into the kitchen and come up with your own creation. You will also become excited about cleaning with your newly made creations. It makes cleaning a rewarding experience rather than a dreaded action.
To Make an old fashioned apple cider all purpose cleaner you will need to have a spray bottle on hand.
For 32 ounces
1 cup Apple Cider
* Apple Cider Vinegar can be staining
Fill the rest up with water
add 10 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil
add one tablespoon of Castile Soap
Spray and Wipe.
Get a box of Baking Soda
You can use a wet sponge, sprinkle the baking soda on it and scrub your sinks, toilets, tile, and counter tops in place of using a chlorine based cleanser.
Take your All Purpose cleaner and use it with the baking soda. There will be a fizzing action. It is a safe fizz. It is a homemade scrubbing bubbles.
To freshen drains - sprinkle some baking soda down the drain and pour some of your all purpose cleaner on top. Then turn the water on and let it rinse down. It will deodorize your drain and it will eat things that get stuck in your drain.
Carpet and Baking Soda.
Take some baking soda and add your favorite essential oil. Shake up! Sprinkle on the carpet. Vacuum up.
Toilet Bowls: Get a cheap pumice from the grocery store (one that falls apart easily) use that to scrub the ring out.
Bathtubs and Showers: Get a broom from the dollar store or anywhere. You can use this broom for cleaning out the tub and shower. Get a good stiff broom. This will keep you from having to bend over so much and it will help to save your back.
Essential Oils: Lavender Essential oil is universal, it has all of the properties needed for cleaning. It is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and boost the immune system. Most everyone can use it with no allergic reaction. If you are very sensitive to everything and are tired of having no smells around try a little Pure Organic Lavender Essential Oil in you cleaning products. See how that works for you.
Organic Essential Oils high a very high vibration which means that they have a good strong life force and they give you and your home good vibrations.
Mold in Grout: Must be scrubbed with a scrub brush and baking soda or borax then rinsed with some vinegar and water solution and hot water then dry completely. You may want to wear a mask and long gloves to protect yourself from the mold spores.
Grocery Store common items that are good choices for cleaning:
Vinegar
Baking Soda
Borax (found in the Laundry Detergent Isle)
Washing Soda (found in the Laundry Detergent Isle)
Kirks Castile Soap (found in the soap isle usually on the bottom shelf)
Glycerin Soap (usually next to Kirks)
Oxygen Bleach (found in the Laundry Isle)
Febreeze allergen fighter ( This does contain alcohol if you are very sensitive)
Murphys Oil Soap
Many laundry detergents are now just simply ionic and nonionic surfactants that are biodegradable read the ingredients.( Usually the ones that say perfume and dye free) This can be used to cut grease if you water it down a lot in a spray bottle.
Bon Ami cleanser (found near your other cleansers usually on the top or bottom shelf) contains no Chlorine, Perfume or Dye.
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Environmentally Safe (and kid safe) products to clean your home:
http://pinksunrise.com/fixit/cleaning.htm
Five basic nontoxic ingredients that can be used as cleansing agents: These ingredients, supplemented with vegetable-oil- based soaps, lemon juice, herbs or toothpaste, can be mixed together and used to bring a natural, economical and safe shine to your home.
* baking soda
* washing soda
* borax
* salt
* white vinegar
Some of the compounds you can make:
Disinfectant:
Mix 1/2 cup borax
Floor cleaner: Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 2 gallons hot water. For greasy floors, add 1/4 cup washing soda and 1 tablespoon vegetable-oil-based soap to the above mixture.
Window-washing fluid: Mix 1 cup vinegar with 4 cups hot water.
Oven cleaner: Make a paste of baking soda and hot water. Sponge on to stains and wipe clean.
* Copper-pan cleaner: Sprinkle surface of pans with coarse salt. Rub salt into stains with the cut half of a fresh lemon.
* Wood furniture cleaner: Remove water stains on wood furniture, dab white toothpaste on the stain. Allow the paste to dry and then gently buff off with a soft cloth.
* Removing mildew Remove mildew from bathtubs, bathroom curtains and tile, make a mixture of: one-half cup vinegar one-half cup of Borax cleaning detergent 2 cups of water. Pour it on the dirty areas and let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a cloth. If mildew is still visible, use the mixture twice.
To clean the toilet bowl, combine equal parts of baking soda, Borax cleaning detergent and white vinegar. Pour generously around the bowl and scrub with a brush. Or leave it over night if badly stained.
* Removing crayon, pencil or ink from walls To remove crayon, pencil or ink marks from the walls (without removing paint), take about 2 tablespoons of baking soda and mix in water. Dip a white wash rag in the solution and rub the marks away. Wipe away excess baking soda.
* Furniture Polish Make your own furniture polish by combining one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with one- half cup of olive or vegetable oil. Take a soft cloth and polish.
* Removing crayon, pencil or ink from upholstery To remove pencil, crayon or ink marks from upholstery, use dry baking soda. Use a hairbrush or similar brush scrub baking soda and remove the marks.
* Blood stains To remove blood stains, combine one quart of Borax cleaning detergent with two cups of cold water. Rinse stained clothing item in cold water, and scrub in warm water with your hands. Then dip in solution and wash by hand.
* Coffee and chocolate stains To remove coffee and chocolate stains, mix one teaspoon of white vinegar in one quart of cold water. Sponge on stain and wipe clean.
* Ironing Clothes Get crisp results when ironing clothes, combine 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch in one pint of water. Pour into spray bottle, shake and spray clothes before ironing.
* Bug Control To keep bugs out of flour, pasta, rice, pancake mix and other wheat products, put 2 to 3 bay leaves in the containers.
* Rather than pesticides, you might foil roaches by placing bay leaves around cracks in the room and leaving out dishes of equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar. The last resort is a mix of powered sugar and boric acid
* To protect the family pet, alternatives to toxic flea collars include eucalyptus ointment, herbal baths and a pinch of brewer's yeast or Vitamin B with dinner.
* Removing Grease To remove grease or hair from the drain, use equal parts of vinegar, salt and baking soda. Pour mixture down the drain and let stand for 15 minutes. Then pour boiling water down the drain.
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Natural Cleaning
Better Homes & Gardens, Oct, 2000
Next time you need to give the kitchen a quick once-over, reach to the pantry for the cleaning supplies. Natural products, such as baking soda, lemons, and vinegar, are safe for the environment and work well for everyday cleanups.
* Scour sinks, countertops, and appliances with baking soda and a damp sponge.
* Deodorize and unclog drains by pouring in baking soda followed by a dousing of vinegar. Let it fizz a few minutes. Rinse with boiling water.
* Vinegar and liquid soap clean no-wax vinyl and polyurethane-finished wood floors. Dissolve the soap in warm water and then add a little vinegar. Mixing the two directly will minimize their effectiveness.
* Use a vinegar-and-water rinse to cut through the film on windows, glass appliance doors, and tile.
* For mineral deposits on glassware or porcelain, soak clean rags in vinegar and place them over the deposit for several hours. Rinse.
* Sprinkle salt on the cut side of half a lemon, and rub it on tarnished copper to polish it.
* Reduce stains on countertops by allowing lemon juice to stand on the stain for 30 minutes. Then sprinkle on baking soda and scrub gently.
* Remove stains from white kitchen linens by dabbing the stain with lemon juice. Then hang the fabric in the sun.
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Spring Cleaning Check List
http://pinksunrise.com/fixit/springcleaning.htm
1. Saturday beautification project Schedule it in advance so the whole crew knows about and doesn't plan anything for that day. Make a sign and put it on your refrigerator. Don't forget to delegate jobs - this way everyone knows what is expected of them, knows what to do and can't poop out by saying they have nothing to do!
2. The House Itself Pay particular attention to the gutters, paint job and potential areas where little woodland creatures (like squirrels and other bugs like hornets) can make their homes in your home.
3. Windows & Treatments Remember that windows need cleaning on both sides - inside and out. Take down screens and exam them for any holes that may need repairing . While at the window area, check drapes and window treatments. Some drapes may need professional cleaning at the cleaners.
4. Outdoor Furniture: It is important to look closely at your furniture, to inspect corroded areas and clean up dirty areas with sponges and scrub brushes. TIP: Clean non-metal patio furniture with a mixture of white vinegar and water. Use a half cup of vinegar for every gallon of warm water.
5. Protect that wood! The best time to protect wood is in the spring before that summer heat and the rains get a chance to penetrate that expensive trim and woodwork on your house. You will need to use that 'ole elbow grease to peeling paint and prime the wood. This will help prevent you from making expensive replacement of rotted wood in years to come.
6. Seasonal roof maintenance: Winter takes a toll on your roof and it seems that everyone gets the same idea at the same time, making roofing contractors hard to find in the summer time. So start early.
7. Clear away disease causing foliage Dead foliage, weeds, and branches that are lying in your beds and lawn can be a haven for landscape disease, so be sure to clear them away.
8. Spring landscaping projects. Before the summer heat hits, spring may be the best time to put in new foliage including trees and shrubs. Your local extension office will have planting recommendations for your area, as well as resources for testing your soil for pH and other important soil nutrients. There are also commercially available kits at your local garden center.
9. Storage solutions: Gather up sporting equipment (swimming goggles, skateboards, tennis rackets etc...) and put them in easy to reach places. Consider using shelving units available at any local hardware store to make you storage more efficient.
10. A Season of Clothes With the changing seasons you'll want to pack away the heavy winter clothes to make room for the lighter spring and summer wear. Before you go through the trouble of storing clothes which you won't want to wear next year, remember the less fortunate and donate them to a local charity.
11. Have a garage sale! You might want to ask a few neighbors that are near to you, to join in. This helps in advertising costs and parking. Have a little bake sale the kids can run while folks browse. The cash you will get can be put into your other projects or maybe can be used for the after garage sale party!!
12. Cooling and heating systems. Clean and change the air filters every 4 to 6 weeks. Not only are clean filters more efficient for heat and cooling they help prevent allergens from getting into the air. By examining your cooling system early in spring you'll be able to get service folks to your house faster and get the jump on the heat.
13. Humidifier You won't need a humidifier in the summer, but don't just turn it off because it will harbor disease. Check your owner's manual to properly clean out the unit for safe summer storage so that it won't harbor dangerous molds for the next winter season.
14. Hot water heaters Need a good flush because sediments can build up and actually destroy the heater. There is a valve on the bottom which you can open to let the sediment drain. You can join Unsolved Mysteries and post your own mysteries or
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