Organic Cleaning Tips

 The use of environmentally safe cleaning products is nothing new and has been around for many years, however within the last decade there has been a more concentrated awareness of the issues of the harmful nature of toxic chemicals leeching into the eco-system and polluting our water supply.  

You don’t need to be an environmentalist to appreciate the value of green cleaning products because common sense will tell you that if you put something toxic into the ground it will wind up somewhere on the dinner table. 

Green Cleaning is using cleaning products that don't endanger you, children or the environment. This is especially important for people who have asthma. Commercial cleaning products often contain irritants that can trigger an asthma episode. The Green Cleaning products recommended here are effective, inexpensive, safe for you and the environment. 

Why use green cleaning products? 

The answer is simple; they really work and are in balance with the environment.  In fact some of the more common products may already be in your home, such as: 

Green cleaning items include: 

• Baking soda 
• White or distilled white vinegar 
• Liquid castile soap (a mild soap made of olive oil and sodium hydroxide) available at most hardware stores or online at sites like drugstore.com 
• Scouring pad  
• Cotton washcloth or a sponge 
• Cotton rag without much lint 
• 16 oz. spray bottle  

So another benefit to green cleaning is that they are less expensive as well. 

I must admit that I was quite skeptical at first but when my wife started to use many of the recipes below I honestly could not get over how much better they actually were than the regular chemical based cleaning products. For that reason alone it’s worth it to try them.  

Seven Green Cleaning Recipes: 

Tub and sink cleaner: 

• Baking soda 
• Liquid castile soap  

Sprinkle baking soda on the porcelain fixtures and rub with wet rag. Add a little of the liquid castile soap to the rag for more cleaning power. Rinse well to avoid leaving a hazy film. 

You can use a solution of distilled white vinegar to disinfect the surface.  Usually a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water works best to clean almost all germs from the surface.  Using the vinegar water solution will add a shine to surface and cut any film that is there. 

Window and mirror cleaner: 

• White vinegar 
• Water 
• Newspaper, crumpled  

Fill spray bottle with 1/4 cup of white vinegar then fill to the top with water. Shake bottle to combine. Spray on the surface. Rub with a lint-free rag or a torn and wadded up newspaper page. 

For outdoor windows, use a sponge and wash with warm water with a few drops of liquid castile soap in it. Rinse well and squeegee dry. 

Linoleum floor cleaner  

(Good for finished hardwood floors too) 

• White or distilled vinegar 
• Water  

Mop with a mixture of 1/2 cup vinegar in a bucket (pail) of warm water. The vinegar odor will go away shortly after the floor dries. 

   

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