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Recipes for a safer home & a cleaner environment!

 

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WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Baking soda	(Also called sodium bicarbonate.) Excellent odor absorbent and mild abrasive. Found in the baking section of the grocery store.
Borax*	This is a strong alkaline, eye irritant and toxic if swallowed. Keep all borax-containing cleaners out of reach of children. Found in the laundry detergent section of the grocery store.
Essential oils*	Mostly used for deodorizing or scenting cleaners. Essential oils such as mint, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon and tea tree, can be found in health food stores of herbal supply shops. Tea tree oil is currently in the process of being registered as a disinfectant in this country.
Glycerin	Found in pharmacies or health food stores.
Hydrogen peroxide	Use the household concentration (3%) typically found in pharmacies.
Liquid soap	Vegetable-based soap sometimes referred to as "castile soap". Found in most health food stores. Dr. Bronners is a popular brand.
Liquid detergent	Detergents are made from synthetic materials that form less soap scum when combined with minerals in hard water. Most dishwashing liquids are detergents. Try purchasing vegetable oil-based detergents, which can be less toxic than petroleum-based products. Vegetable oil-based detergents can be found in health food stores.
Vinegar	Removes soap scum, grease and mineral deposits and acts as a deodorizer. Use only white distilled vinegar for these recipes.
Washing soda	(Also called sodium carbonate.) It is slightly caustic and a great grease cutter. Don't use it on waxed floors (unless you want to remove the wax), fiberglass or aluminum. Arm & Hammer washing soda can be found in the laundry detergent section.
	*Note: These ingredients may be toxic in their concentrated form. When used in small amounts in these cleaning recipes, they are non-toxic.

LAUNDRY SOAP	Use non-phosphate detergent. TIP: Add 1/2 cup borax or washing soda to the wash cycle to boost cleaning for heavily soiled clothes.
FABRIC SOFTENER	Use vinegar. Add 1-2 cups of vinear to rinse cycle to deodorize & soften fabrics.
BLEACH	Use hydrogen peroxide. Spot clean. Let dry. Repeat if necessary.
	Use borax. Presoak clothes in mixture of 2 cups borax in 2 gallons of hot water.
DIAPER PAIL DEODORIZER	1 cup baking soda 1 teaspoon tea tree oil and/or other essential oil Mix and work out all lumps with a fork. Springkle in bottom of pail after liner is removed. Periodically rinse pail with vinegar and water and dry in the sun.
STAIN REMOVERS	1/4 cup liquid detergent 1/4 cup glycerin 1.5 cups water Mix and pour into a squirt bottle. Use sparingly and rub on stain. Wash.
	1 part vinegar 1 part water Mix and use to remove tough stains including grass, perspiration, rust, jam, coffee, orange juice, wine, beer, ketchup, barbecue sauce, chili, urine, and pet stains.
	TIP: Do not use hot or warm water on sugary stains. Wash and rinse in cool water only.

TUB & TILE CLEANER	1 2/3 cup baking soda 1/2 cup liquid soap 2 tablespoons vinegar 1/2 cup water a few drops essential oil (optional) Mix soda and soap. Then add water; then add vinegar. Store in a squirt top bottle and shake before using. Rinse thoroughly to avoid leaving a residue.
MOLD & MILDEW REMOVER	1 part vinegar 1 part water Spray and wipe clean.
PLASTIC SHOWER CURTAIN CLEANER	2 cups vinegar laundry detergent Machine launder along with a few towels. Air dry. To keep clean, spray weekly with a mixture of borax and water.
ANTISEPTIC SOAP SPRAY	3 tablespoons liquid soap 20-30 drops tea tree oil 2 cups water Mix in a spray bottle and apply.
	TIP: Hydrogen peroxide (3%) by itself may also be used as a mild antiseptic.
AIR FRESHENER	10-20 drops essential oil 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol 1 cup water Dissolve essential oil in rubbing alcohol. Then add water and mix thoroughly. Pour solution into an atomizer bottle or spritzer bottle.
TOILET BOWL CLEANER	Tub & Tile Cleaner (see above) 1/2 teaspoon tea tree oil (optional)
	1/2 cup borax Sprinkle on a wet bowl brush, scour and rinse. Clean bowl thoroughly and often.
	TIP: Drain water from toilet bowl for better cleaning. For serious stains or rust, empty water out of bowl and scrub with a wet pumice stone. When wet, the stone will not scratch porcelain.

BRASS & COPPER CLEANER	2/3 cup vinegar 2/3 cup flour 1/2 cup salt In a glass bowl, mix vinegar and flour. Add salt & stir. Spread on tarnished metal. Wait 1-2 hours. Rinse, dry and polish with a soft cloth and a dab of olive oil.
CHROME CLEANER	1/4 cup baking soda 1-2 tablespoons water Mix to form a paste. Apply with sponge and rinse well.
SILVER CLEANER	3" square aluminum foil 1 tablespoon salt 1 tablespoon baking soda 1 cup warm water Dissolve salt and baking soda in warm water. Submerge the foil and silver in the solution. Wait 1 hour. Rinse silver and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
	Non-gel toothpaste Rub tarnished spots with soft cloth and rinse.
WOOD FLOOR POLISH	1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup vinegar 10 drops essential oil (optional) Mix and apply. Wipe clean.
FLOOR CLEANERS	ALL PURPOSE RECIPE 2 tablespoons liquid soap or detergent 1 gallon hot water Mix, mop and wipe clean. TIP: Use less soap or detergent if streaking occurs. Wipe dry with a cloth.
	NO-WAX FLOORS All Purpose Recipe (above) 1/4 cup vinegar Mix, mop and wipe clean.
	TILE FLOORS 1 cup vinegar 1 gallon hot water Mix, mop and wipe clean.
	TIP: To remove scuff marks, sprinkle with baking soda and spray with equal parts vinegar and water. Wipe clean.

GLASS CLEANER	1/2 cup vinegar 1 cup water 2 drops liquid soap Mix in a spray bottle. Shake and apply. Wipe clean.
	1 teaspoon borax or washing soda 2 cups water Mix and apply to surface. Wipe clean.
	TIP: Invest in a squeegee. It is a great tool for cleaning windows. A razor blade is also a good tool for scraping off dirt or paint before cleaning.
WOOD FURNITURE POLISH	3/4 cup olive or mineral oil 1/4 cup vinegar 1/2 teaspoon lemon oil (optional) Mix thoroughly in a squirt bottle. Squirt on furniture or rag and rub into wood. Shake well before each application.
LEATHER CLEANER	1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup vinegar Mix in a squirt bottle and shake before each application. Rub with cloth into leather for cleaning and conditioning. Do not use on suede.
CARPET DEODORIZER	1 pound baking soda 1 teaspoon essential oil Mix using a fork to work out lumps. Sprinkle on carpet. Vacuum after 1 hour.
CARPET & UPHOLSTERY STAIN REMOVER	1/4 cup liquid detergent 1/4 cup glycerin 1 1/2 cups water Mix and pour into a squirt bottle. Use sparingly and rub on stain.
	club soda dish detergent Blot stain with club soda, then scrub with a dab of dish detergent.
	equal parts vinegar and water Mix and use to remove tough stains including grass, perspiration, rust, jam, coffee, orange juice, wine, beer, ketchup, barbecue sauce, chili, urine and pet stains.
	TIP: Never use warm or hot water on stains containing sugar.

ALL PURPOSE CLEANER	2 tablespoons vinegar 1 teaspoon borax or washing soda 2 cups hot water 1/4 cup liquid soap Mix everything but soap in a spray bottle and shake. Add liquid soap last. Mix gently. Apply and wipe clean. Good for counters, wood work, appliances, etc.
DISH SOAP	use non-phosphate detergent TIP: Use half the recommended amount of detergent in your automatic dishwasher.
SCOURING POWDER	baking soda Pour in shaker and sprinkle in sink or on pans. Scrub with a rough pad and rinse.
SCOURING PASTE	2/3 cup baking soda 1/2 cup liquid soap or detergent water 2 tablespoons vinegar Mix everything except vinegar to form a paste. Add vinegar and stir. Keep paste in a tub at the kitchen sink for scouring pots and pans - or the kitchen sink itself.
STAIN REMOVER	salt lemon juice or lime juice Sprinkle surface with salt and squeeze lemon or lime juice over the area. Let sit and rub out. This can even remove rust if allowed to sit a few hours.
	Tip: A wet pumice stone can remove tough stains from porcelain or enamel without scratching.
DRAIN CLEANER	1/2 cup baking soda 1/2 cup vinegar Pour baking soda down drain followed by vinegar. Let it bubble for 15 minutes, then pour down a teakettle full of boiling water. For stubborn clogs use a mechanical snake.
GARBAGE OR COMPOST PAIL DEODORIZER	1 teaspoon tea tree oil 1 cup baking soda Mix and work out all the lumps with a fork. Sprinkle in bottom of pail after liner is removed. Periodically rinse pail with vinegar and water and dry in the sun.
OVEN CLEANER	1 tablespoon liquid soap 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup salt 3/4 cup baking soda Spray oven surfaces with soapy water. Mix salt and baking soda and sprinkle on wet surface. Spray again so that the mixture is damp and pasty. Let stand overnight. Scrape off with putty knife or wet pumice stone. TIP: Prevention is the key to a clean oven. Line your oven with foil or an aluminum oven liner found in the baking section of grocery stores.: