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Protecting and preserving the environment starts right in your own home. Here are some recipes that will not only save you money, but they are also safer for you, those you care about, and for the environment.
Pure soap
For
generations, people washed their clothes, their homes and themselves
with pure soap. Today, it is the key ingredient of many alternative
cleaning recipes. Soap biodegrades safely and completely, and is
non-toxic. Make sure that you use soap without synthetic scents,
colours or other additives. Even phosphate-free biodegradable laundry
detergent contributes to water pollution.
Soap is available in some grocery stores, chemists, health stores and organic shops. It is sold as a liquid, flakes , powder and bars. Bars can be grated to dissolve more easily in hot water.
Vinegar (5% acetic acid)
Vinegar
is a mild disinfectant which cuts grease, cleans glass, deodorizes, and
removes calcium deposits, stains and wax build-up.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is an odourless powder that is great for carpet cleaning and greasy stains.
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus
oil is a good disinfectant and deodorizer. It gets rid of some
stains, such as ink and grease, kills and repels some insects and even
attacks rust. Also good for removing the patches left by stickers from surfaces.
Washing soda (sodium carbonate)
A
key ingredient for washing clothes, washing soda cuts grease, removes
stains, disinfects, and softens water. Washing soda should not be used
on aluminum. It is available in the laundry section of the supermarket.
Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
Baking
soda works well as an abrasive in alternative recipes. Baking soda also
deodorizes, removes stains, polishes, and softens fabrics. It softens water to increase sudsing and the cleanign power of soap.
Please note...
There are some
people who feel that ammonia and borax are other key ingredients in
alternative cleaners. It is true that they are both very effective at
cleaning, deodorizing and disinfecting.
It is also true that they are both quite harsh chemicals, which can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and skin, and can cause headaches, nausea and chest pain.
Additionally, when ammonia mixes with certain other cleaning products, namely those which contain chlorine, poisonous gas can be created. For these reasons, we have left ammonia and borax off our list of core ingredients and out of the recipes.
Recipes for greener cleaning
This solution is safe for all surfaces, should be rinsed with water, and is very effective for most jobs. For a stronger cleaner, double the amounts of soap and lemon juice.
1/2 cup (125 ml) pure soap
1 gallon (4 litres) hot water
For a clean scent and to help cut grease add 1/4 cup (60 ml) of lemon juice.
Disinfectant
Mix 50-100 ml of eucalyptus oil with a litre of water.
This can be used in a spray bottle, but remember to shake the mixture before using to disperse the oil.
Scouring powder
Use a firm bristle brush and scrub with pure soap combined with either table salt or baking soda.
Baking
soda alone on a damp sponge is also effective on most surfaces. You can
also personalise your scouring powder by adding an aromatic herb or
flower. Put the ingredients in a blender and run until the fragrance
has infused the powder.
For oven spills, scrub using straight baking soda or combine with the stronger version of the all purpose cleaner.
Remember to wear gloves when scrubbing.
Air fresheners
Commercial
air fresheners work by masking smells and coating the nasal passages
with chemicals which diminish the sense of smell by deadening the
nerves. Avoid these products. Instead, try the all-natural air
purifiers — house plants. Or try these natural recipes to diminish
odour and add a fragrant smell to your house:
- Use baking soda in your garbage or refrigerator to help reduce odours at their source.
- Dissolve 1 tsp (5 ml) of baking soda in 2 cups (500 ml) of hot water, add 1 tsp (5 ml) lemon juice. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray as you would an air freshener.
- Place a few slices of a citrus fruit, cloves or cinnamon in a pot with enough water to simmer gently for an hour or two.
Liquid dish soap
Grate a
bar of pure soap into a sauce pan. Cover with water and simmer over low
heat until they melt together. Add some vinegar to the water for tough
grease and to remove spots. Pour into a container and use as you would
any liquid dishwashing soap.
Wash with pure soap and water, rinse with a solution of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water. Use washable, reusable cheese cloth or crumpled newspaper instead of paper towels.
Carpet
To fully clean and deodorize carpets vacuum carpet then liberally sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda, leave one hour, then vacuum again. For tougher stains, try cold soda water or repeatedly blot with vinegar and soapy water.
When buying carpet, choose natural materials such as cotton and wool over synthetics. Buy rugs and carpets that haven't been treated with insecticides and fungicides.
When rugs are cleaned, make sure no pesticides are used. Avoid commercial products containing chlorine, formaldehyde and solvents such as trichloroethylene, methylene and nitrobenzene. If ingredients are not listed on a product, write to the manufacturer for information. It's your right to know exactly what you're buying. If a company won't divulge their ingredients, write back and tell them you are unable to buy their product - and ask them what they are hiding.
Polishes
Most
store-bought polishes contain solvents harmful to the environment.
Aresol sprays are wasteful and also contain harmful gases.
- Furniture polish: Dissolve 1 tsp (5 ml) lemon oil in 1 cup (250 ml) vegetable oil. Apply with a clean dry rag.
- Floor polish: Melt 1/8
cup (30 ml) paraffin wax in a double boiler. Add 1 litre mineral
oil and a few drops of lemon oil. Apply with a rag, allow to dry and
polish.
Polishing metals
- Copper: Try lemon juice and a little salt, or hot vinegar and a little salt on a rag.
- Chrome: Try white flour on a dry rag.
- Brass: Try equal parts salt and flour, with a little vinegar on a dry rag.
- Silver: Bring to a boil in a large pan: 1 litre water, 1 Tbsp (15 ml) salt, 1 Tbsp (15 ml) baking soda and a strip of aluminum foil. Drop in silver, boil for 3 minutes and polish with a soft cloth. Or polish with a paste of wood ash and water. Note: These methods should be done on sterling silver only and not on silver plate.
