People that have green on the brain are always looking for environmentally friendly alternatives to run-of-the-mill cleaning products. It’s not difficult to come by natural cleaning products; however, they’re often times a lot pricier than the average products on the market. The positive news is that greening up your daily life is easier than you may know… (and don’t forget to add mixologist to your list of capabilities)!
Instead of using… Use Eco-Friendly Alternatives
Bleach… Borax
Detergent & Soap… Elbow grease
Scouring Powders… Baking soda. Or rub area with one-half lemon dipped in borax, then rinse
General Cleaner… Baking soda and vinegar. Or lemon juice combined with borax paste
Floor Cleaner… One cup vinegar + 2 gallons of water
Window Cleaner… One cup vinegar + 1 qt. warm water. Rinse and squeegee
Aluminum Cleaner… 2 Tbsp. cream of tartar + 1 qt. of hot water
Brass Cleaner… Worcestershire sauce. Or paste made of equal amounts of salt, vinegar, and water
Copper Cleaner… Lemon juice and water. Or paste of lemon juice, salt, and flour
Chrome Cleaner/Polish… Apple cider vinegar to clean; baby oil to polish
Stainless Steel Cleaner… Baking soda or mineral oil for polishing, vinegar to remove spots
Fiberglass Stain Remover… Baking soda and salt in a wet paste
Mildew Remover… Paste with equal amounts of lemon juice and salt, or white vinegar and salt OR diluted tea tree oil
Drain Opener… Dissemble or use plumber’s snake. Or flush with boiling water + one-quarter cup baking soda + one-quarter cup vinegar
Wood Polish… Olive or almond oil (interior walls only)
Rug/Upholstery Cleaner… Dry corn starch sprinkled on; vacuum
After-Cleaning Cocktail… One part rum mixed with 2 parts fruit juice. Add ice as needed.
We’re always trying to stay in the loop on green blogs offering fresh ideas that are chock full of valuable real-life information; see http://thegreenmamas.blogspot.com/ for more ideas!
