House Care: Odors, Cleaners, Disinfectants

Air Freshener

Things You Need: Baking Soda White Vinegar Cloves Cinnamon Scented Candle Apple cider Vanilla Extract Herbal Bouquets Fresh Coffee Grounds

Methods of Getting Rid of Odors

• Leave an opened box of baking soda in room or refrigerator.
• Wrap cloves and cinnamon in cheesecloth and boil in water.
• Leave herbal bouquets standing in open dishes for a fragrant smell.
• Set vinegar out in an open dish.
• Combine 2 sticks of cinnamon, 5 or 6 whole cloves, and 4 cups of apple cider in a non-aluminum pan and simmer over low heat for 3-4 hours. Add more cider as the mixture evaporates (about 1 cup every hour).
• Place 1 tablespoon of natural vanilla extract in each of 3 or 4 ceramic bowls and place them uncovered in the kitchen or bathroom.
• Keep fresh coffee grounds on the counter in a bowl.
• If all else fails Light a scented candle.

Return to top

Glass Cleaner

Things You Need: Baking Soda White Vinegar Cloves Cinnamon Scented Candle Apple cider Vanilla Extract Herbal Bouquets Fresh Coffee Grounds

Four Methods of Cleaning Glass

1. Mix 1/4 to 1/2 cup of white vinegar with a quart of warm water in a spray bottle.
2. Use a solution of 1 to 2 teaspoons of strained lemon juice in a quart of water.
3. Blend 1/4 cup of cornstarch and 1 cup of hot water together let cool. Saturate a rag in the mixture and wash over the window.
4. Dip a wet sponge in a baking soda to clean a glass oven door.

Return to top

Floor Cleaner

Things You Need: Baking Soda White Vinegar Washing Soda Mild Vegetable Oil Soap Toothpaste

How to Clean Floors

For a vinyl floor: use 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of water.

For a vinyl tile and linoleum: use 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 1/4 cup washing soda and 1 gallon of warm water.

For a wood floor: use a damp mop with mild vegetable oil soap.

To remove black heel marks: rub with a paste of baking soda and water.

To remove crayon marks: rub with toothpaste and a damp cloth.

Return to top

Disinfectants

Things You Need: Hydrogen Peroxide Borax Liquid Castle Soap White Vinegar Isopropyl Alcohol

Great Ways to Disinfect

• Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) is a good disinfectant
• Mix 2 teaspoons of borax, 4 tablespoons of vinegar and 3 cups of Hot water. For stronger cleaning power: add 1/4 teaspoon of liquid castle soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use non-aerosol spray bottle.
• Mix 1/2 cup of Borax into 1 gallon of hot water and clean with this solution.
• Isopropyl Alcohol is an excellent disinfectant. Sponge on and allow it to dry. Use in a well ventilated area and wear gloves.

Return to top

Laundry

Things You Need: Baking Soda Borax White Vinegar Washing Soda Cornstarch Glycerin

Doing Laundry the Non-Toxic Way

Fabric Softener: Add 1-2 cups of vinegar to the rinse cycle, it also works as a deodorizer

For Heavily Soiled Laundry: Add 1/2 cup borax or washing soda to the wash cycle to boost cleaning.

Laundry Stain Removers: Mix 1/4 cup liquid detergent 1/4 cup of glycerin, and 1/2 cup of water and pour into a squirt bottle. Use sparingly on stain. Wash. Do not use hot or warm water on sugary stains. Wash and rinse in cool water only

Laundry starch: Combine 2 teaspoons cornstarch and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle shake to dissolve. Spray on clothing before ironing.

Return to top

Oven Cleaner

Things You Need: Baking Soda Salt Fine Steel Wool Pads

Cleaning the Oven the Non-Toxic Way

For Heavy Cleaning: Use 3/4 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of salt and 1/4 cup of water make a paste. Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Spread the paste throughout oven interior. Let sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots.

For Regular Cleaning: Sprinkle with water followed by layers of baking soda. Rub gently with very fine steel wool pads for tough spots.

For Light Maintenance Cleaning: Sprinkle salt on spills when they are warm, then scrub.

Return to top

Drain Cleaner

Things You Need: Baking Soda White Vinegar Salt Used Lemons

Cleaning Drains the Non-Toxic Way

To unclog a drain: Use a mechanical snake or plunger. Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup of white Vinegar. Let set for 10 minutes (cover if possible), then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush.

To help keep drains unclogged: pour 1/4 cup salt down the drain, followed by boiling water (once a week)

For garbage disposals: grind used lemons in the disposal or pour in baking soda. To prevent clogged drains: use a drain strainer.

Return to top

Deodorizer

Things You Need: Baking Soda White Vinegar Vodka Celery Cornstarch Herbal Essential Oil

Deodorizing the Non-Toxic Way

For acid based odors: add 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 2 cups of water to a spray bottle and shake well. Substitute white vinegar for baking soda to alleviate alkaline odors.

For cutting board: combine 1/2 cup of water in a spray bottle, and generously spray onto the cutting board. Let sit for 30 minutes and rinse. Sprinkle the cutting board with 1/;2 cup of baking soda. Spray with water until the baking soda is moist. Let sit for 30 minutes and rinse. Add a few drops of vinegar to soapy water to remove onion odors from utensils or hands.

To get odor out of hands: Rub hands with the cut end of a celery stalk.

For rugs: Combine 1 cup of baking soda with 1/2 cup cornstarch, and add herbal essential oils and sprinkle on your rug. Then vacuum. Mix equal parts of vodka and water in a spray bottle and spray in air.

Return to top

All-Purpose Cleaning Solutions

Things You Need: Baking Soda White Vinegar Borax Liquid Soap Micro-fiber Cloths

Different Solutions for All Your Needs

• Dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water.
• Mix 1/2 cup of White Vinegar and 1/4 cup of baking soda (or 2 teaspoons of borax) into 1/2 a gallon of water (2 liters) and place in a spray bottle.
• Mix 1 quart warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid soap, 1 teaspoon borax and 1/4 cup white vinegar in a spray bottle.
• Micro-fiber cloths lift off dirt, grease and dust without the need for cleaning chemicals.

Return to top

Carpet/Rug Cleaner

Things You Need: Baking Soda Cornstarch White Vinegar Club Soda Borax Shaving Cream

Cleaning Rugs and Carpets the Non-Toxic Way

For Regular Cleaning: Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on carpets before vacuuming for a natural rug deodorizer.

For Stains: Soak stained spot immeadiately with club soda and blot until the stain is gone. Mix equeal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on the stain, let it sit for several minutes. Then clean with a brush or a sponge using warm soapy water. Apply shaving cream directly to the stain and set for 30 minutes. Gently blot it away with a dry white cloth Be sure to rinse the area with a vinegar and water solution after cleaning.

Return to top

Tub and Sink Cleaner

Things You Need: Baking Soda White Vinegar Hydrogen Peroxide Cream of Tartar Tooth Brush Liquid Castle Soap

A Few Ways to Take Care of Your Tub and Sink

For blackened grout: use white vinegar applied with a toothbrush.

For rust stains: apply a paste of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar, let it sit for 15 minutes and rinse.

Minimize scum buildup by using a squeegee on the shower stall walls after bathing.

Use baking soda like a scouring cleanser.

Add 1/4 cup of liquid Castle soap to 1 2/3 cups of water and let dissolve. Stir in 1/4 cup of baking soda, then add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Store in a squirt bottle and shake before using.

Sprinkle baking soda on the porcelain fixtures and rub with wet rag. Add a little liquid castle soap to the rag for more cleaning power. Rinse well to avoid leaving a hazy film.

To remove mineral deposits from around faucets: cover deposits with rags soaked in white vinegar Let sit for 1 hour and then clean.

Return to top

Mold and Mildew Removal

Things You Need: Borax White Vinegar or Lemon Juice Tea Tree Oil Salt Hydrogen peroxide

A Few Ways to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew

Consider using more then one solution to get the best results. Do not mix solutions.

• Use white vinegar or lemon juice mixed with a pinch of salt to scrub moldy spots, then rinse.
• Combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Apply to mold and mildew spots and scrub. Good for prevention too.
• Mix 1 teaspoon of borax, 3 Tablespoons of white vinegar and 2 cups of hot water in a spray bottle. Apply and scrub. Good for prevention too.
• Combine 1/2 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray on the moldy area. Do not rinse.

Return to top

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Things You Need: Baking Soda Borax Lemon Juice Pumice Stone White Vinegar

A Few Ways to Clean the Toilet

• Use a solution of baking soda and water, or sprikle baking soda around rim. Scrub with toilet brush.
• Make a paste of borax and lemon juice. Let set for 2 hours, then scrub.
• Scrub stubborn stains with a pumice stone.
• Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar into the toilet. Let sizzle, then scrub.

Return to top