Coming Home For the Remedies

Natural Cleaning

Next time you need to give the kitchen a quick once-over, reach to the pantry for the cleaning supplies. Natural products, such as baking soda, lemons, and vinegar, are safe for the environment and work well for everyday cleanups.

Scour sinks, countertops, and appliances with baking soda and a damp sponge.

Deodorize and unclog drains by pouring in baking soda followed by a dousing of vinegar. Let it fizz a few minutes. Rinse with boiling water.

Vinegar and liquid soap clean no-wax vinyl and polyurethane-finished wood floors. Dissolve the soap in warm water and then add a little vinegar. Mixing the two directly will minimize their effectiveness.

Use a vinegar-and-water rinse to cut through the film on windows, glass appliance doors, and tile.

For mineral deposits on glassware or porcelain, soak clean rags in vinegar and place them over the deposit for several hours. Rinse.

Sprinkle salt on the cut side of half a lemon, and rub it on tarnished copper to polish it. This is also a great way of cleaning wooden cutting boards (remember, never use wooden cutting boards to chop meat).

Reduce stains on countertops by allowing lemon juice to stand on the stain for 30 minutes. Then sprinkle on baking soda and scrub gently.

Remove stains from white kitchen linens by dabbing the stain with lemon juice. Then hang the fabric in the sun.

Any discoloration around light switches, on cabinet doors or drawer fronts can be removed easily using a thick paste of baking soda and water. Rub it GENTLY onto the dirty area with a soft cloth then wipe off. You will be very surprised how easy it is to clean and refresh these areas.

Some of the hints above reprinted from Better Homes and Gardens, October 2000. Visit them at bhg.com.

From the Spring 2001 issue of the Environmental News.