Cleaning Your Home the Green Way
Everybody's going green! Whether you've jumped on the bandwagon or not, it can't hurt to make an attempt to use less toxic household cleaners. Many detergents, fabric softeners, ammonia and bleaches have negative affects on your health and the environment.
One solution is to start making your own cleaners using non-toxic, ecologically safe products. This can be done pretty quickly with products you probably already have around the house: white vinegar, baking soda, borax, baking soda and a spray bottle.
* All Purpose Cleaner -- Mix together 1 quart warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid soap, 1 teaspoon borax and 1/4 cup white vinegar. Put it in a spray bottle and use on floors, counter tops, walls, carpets and upholstery.
* Glass and Mildew Cleaner -- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spray on glass or mildew to clean. If you are sensitive to the smell of vinegar, try this alternative: mix 1 quart warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar or 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
* Drain Opener -- Dissolve 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup white vinegar in boiling water and pour down the drain. Continue to flush with hot tap water until the clog breaks. Flush drain with boiling water weekly to avoid buildup.
* Scouring Powder -- Sprinkle borax to get stains off porcelain sinks; baking soda effectively removes baked-on food from a dishes.
* Linoleum and Tile Floor Cleaner -- Mix 1 gallon hot or warm water with 1/2 cup vinegar.
* Toilet Bowl Cleaner -- Put 1/4 cup borax in toilet bowl and let set overnight, scrub the next day.
Another solution is to buy "green" cleaning products or cleaners that avoid toxic ingredients like corrosives, chlorine bleach, ammonia, phosphates and petroleum products. You may not be able to eliminate all your cleaners but even small changes help make a difference.
Thank You for reading this blog post from Phil Kretchmar, your Lewisville, Flower Mound, and Highland Village Realtor!