Make Your Own Cleaning Products!

With all the fancy new products on the market designedto make yourhousework easier comesa high price that dear Mother Earth has to pay.Most cleaning products contain toxic ingredients thatnot only pollute thesoil and underground streams when dumped outside; theyalso get into theair. The toxic fumes and residue left over fromhousehold cleaners can bedangerous or deadly to small children and pets. Hereare some greenalternatives to those toxic, not to mention expensive,household cleaningproducts, but be forewarned, the main ingredient isELBOW

GREASE!WINDOW AND GLASS CLEANER:The way grandma used to do it! Newspaper,vinegar and, of course, elbow grease!
ALL PURPOSE CLEANER:1/2 cup ammonia + 1/3 cup washing soda + 1 gallon warmwater You can usethis on just about everything and it deodorizes so getrid of the Lysol!

DISINFECTANT:Speaking of Lysol, green cleaning products, especiallyplain old soap,disinfect just fine. Store bought cans of disinfectantcontains many harmfulingredients and are much more expensive.

DESCALER:1 Part Vinegar to 1 Part Water Use in coffee machine,kettle, or iron.Pour into reservoir and let stand 30 minutes.

TUB AND TILE CLEANER:Baking soda and a damp cloth will clean your tub andtiles. You may need touse a brush to get into the grout (here's where theelbow grease comes in)but this will do the job without harming theenvironment.

TOILET BOWL CLEANER:Mix borax and lemon juice into a paste. Wet the sidesof the toilet bowl,rub and let stand for a few hours for heavy stains.Scrub off and flush!

DRAIN OPENER:If the plunger doesn't work try this: 250ml bakingsoda, 250ml salt, 125mlwhite vinegar and a pot of boiling water. Pour thesoda, salt and vinegardown the drain and leave for 15-20 minutes. Pour inthe boiling water.

GREEN CLEANING SUPPLY LIST:(You will find that these are FAR less expensive thanthe toxic name-brandvariety.)

VINEGAR:Helps to remove stains, wax buildup and mildew. Use toclean windows,fireplaces, grout, paintbrushes, glass and coffeepots.

PURE SOAP:Cleans almost anything.

BAKING SODA:Helps to clean and deodorize, can use as a scouringagent, polisher, stainremoval and fabric softener. Use to clean yourplastic, vinyl, carpet,silver, stainless steel, drains and works great in thefridge to eliminatefood odors.

BORAX:Helps to clean and deodorize. Use on wallpaper,painted walls and floors.Use it with your detergents to remove stains, andboost the cleaning power.

WASHING SODA:Helps to clean clothing and soften the water. Use itin a well-ventilatedarea, wear gloves. Washing soda is mildly toxic.I use washing soda in the tub to remove soap scum,works great!

AMMONIA:Strong Stuff! Use it to clean carpet, linoleum, mostappliances, copper andenamel. WARNING! Never mix ammonia with bleach; itwill create a poisonousgas. Always use in a well-ventilated area!