Environmentally-friendly cleaning products for a healthy home
One way you can reduce the number of hazardous products you have in your home
is to make your own cleaning products.
source: http ://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/housing/pubs/fcs3682r.html
All-Purpose Cleaner I
4 tablespoons baking soda
1 quart warm water
Dissolve baking soda in warm water. Apply with a sponge. Rinse with clear
water.
All-Purpose Cleaner II
Apply baking soda to a damp sponge. Rinse with clear water.
Drain Cleaner
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup white vinegar
Boiling water
Pour baking soda down the drain. Add white vinegar and cover the drain,
if possible. Let set for 5 minutes. Then pour a kettle of boiling water down
the drain. (The vinegar and baking soda break down fatty acids into soap and
glycerine, allowing the clog to wash down the drain.) Do not use this
method if you have used a commercial drain opener and it may still be
present in the drain.
Drain Opener
Use a plunger (plumber's helper). It may take a number of plunges to
unclog the drain. Do not use this method if you have used a commercial
drain opener and it may still be present in the drain.
Drain Cleaner and Opener
Use a flexible metal snake. The mechanical snake may be purchased or
rented. Thread it down the clogged drain, and you will be able to push the
clog away.
Furniture Cleaner and Polish I
3 cups olive oil
1 cup vinegar
Mix together until well blended. Use a clean, soft cloth to apply to the
furniture.
Furniture Cleaner and Polish II
Wet a washcloth. Wring out as much water as possible. Wipe furniture
surface with damp washcloth. Dry immediately with a clean, soft, dry cloth.
(You can remove sticky fingerprints and dust safely from wood surfaces, but
furniture with an oil finish needs an oil-based cleaner.)
Lime and Mineral Deposit Remover
Soak paper towels in vinegar. Apply the paper towels to the lime deposits
around the faucet. Leave them on for approximately one hour. The deposits
will be softened and can be removed easily.
Aluminum Cleaner
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 quart water
To clean aluminum cookware, combine ingredients in cookware. Bring
solution to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Wash and dry as usual.
Brass Cleaner
Lemon juice
Baking soda
Make a paste about the consistency of toothpaste. Rub onto brass with a
soft cloth. Rinse with water and dry.
Brass Cleaner
Lemon juice
Cream of tartar
Make a paste about the consistency of toothpaste. Apply to surface, leave
on for 5 minutes. Wash with warm water. Dry with a soft cloth.
Chrome and Stainless Steel Cleaner
Dip soft cloth in undiluted white vinegar. Wipe surface.
Oven Cleaner
Baking soda
Very fine steel wool
Sprinkle water on oven surface. Apply baking soda. Rub using very fine
steel wool. Wipe off scum with a damp sponge. Rinse well and dry.
Oven Cleaner
While oven is still warm, sprinkle water on the spill, then sprinkle salt
on it. When the oven cools down, scrape the spill away and wash the area.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Baking soda
Vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl. Add vinegar. Scour with a toilet
brush.
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