I want to make Earth Day more than just another celebration. I am taking a vow to reduce and where possible eliminate any chemical cleaning products that are not earth friendly. I hope you join me!
Making Earth Friendly Products
Here are the ingredients and how they will be used. You will save money and be a healthier citizen for our planet in the process.
You can use it to clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. When the water level goes down, squirt the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim and scrub.
Vinegar should never be used on marble floors.
Here is how you mix it properly: ½ vinegar with ½ water Lemon, Grapefruit/Lime: Citrus is great for cutting grease and leaves a nice smell. You can use it fresh or as an essential oil. Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum, hard water deposits, it is also a substance to clean and shine brass and copper Run the lemon peel through your garbage disposal to clean and disinfect.
Your favorite Eco Washing Liquid: You see a lot of “Green” brands in the stores now. Dish washers, shampoos, hand washers that are safe if consumed, to go down the drain and are not tested on animals. Usually expensive, but you can cut them down into your own mixtures (see below). Baking Soda: Baking soda can be used to scrub surfaces in much the same way as commercial abrasive cleansers and is a great as a deodorizer. Borax:
Borax is a salt and good for floors and surfaces. Olive Oil:
Olive Oil is great for waxing wood. Making Green Cleaning Products At Home Window Cleaner
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a pump bottle with fresh or essential oil citrus. Hard Floor Cleaner (wood floors as well)
Make sure you have a BIG bucket to do this in as it produces a fizzing effect. This is a concentrated form. 1 TBLS of Baking Soda 1 TSP of Borax 1 Cup of vinegar Add juice from 1 Lemon for fragrance and cutting grease. 2 tsp of your favorite “Green” Washing Liquid Keep in a container for ease of use. Mix with water before use. Wood Polish 2 TBLS of Olive Oil ½ citrus or essential oil Mix well and put in pump bottle. Take a recyclable wipe and clean your wood furnisher. Laundry Detergent
3 - 1 oz bar of natural soap
1 Cup of Borax
½ Cup of Arm and Hammer Detergent Booster (or washing soda)
Water Tools:
- 1 5 Gallon Container that can hold high heat
- A Knife
- A long stirring stick that will work well with your 5 gallon container
- Pot large enough to hold 5 cups of water
How to do it:
Shave soap into small strips, place in the pot with 5 cups of water.
Bring the water almost to a boil and stir until melted. When almost melted, pour 3 gallons of hot water into the 5-gallon container and let it sit until totally melted. Pour the mixture into the 5-gallon container and stir. Once thoroughly stirred, add the ½ cup of detergent booster, stir until dissolved. Once the washing soda is dissolved, pour in the cup of borax and stir again until dissolved. Add in your favorite essential oils for fragrance.
Collectively we can make a healthier planet and create healthier home environments. This shift also forces major companies to understand our needs for eco friendly cost affordable products.
By Renay Matthews for Intent.com
Here are other Intent articles you may find interesting about eco-friendly cleaning:
Guidelines for Eco-Friendly and Healthful Purchasing Choices, Norma Lehmeier Hartie
Soap Up, Without Poisoning the Planet, Simran Sethi
Earth Day Tips from Mrs. Meyers Clean Day, Andrea Kane
Is Your Spring Cleaning Stuck in the 90's?, Annie Bond
