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Entry bubble Green Spring Cleaning

By: Sommer | March 21, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

cleaning solution, orange rubber gloves, sponges, and scrub brushYesterday was the first day of spring so it’s time for annual spring cleaning again. But, how many of you, like me, dread the process because of the smell of traditional household cleaning products? Fake pine, lemon and orange just don’t make me think “clean” they make me think “hard to breathe” and “headache.” And the residue some cleaners leave behind is just gross!

I’ve recently tried to learn about less toxic products I can use to clean the house. Luckily, my research turned up tons of ways to clean without using toxic chemicals and store-bought cleaners.

Some basic staples to keep on hand for green cleaning include:

  • Vinegar: My favorite product to use around the house, plain white vinegar, works as a fabulous all purpose cleaner and it doesn’t leave behind toxic smells or residue. I mix equal parts water and vinegar and keep it in a spray bottle. A couple squirts and a clean rag go a long way to sprucing up the house. Vinegar with a sheet of newspaper works great for cleaning windows and mirrors while a spray of the water and vinegar mixture on the bathroom sink in the morning freshens it up for the rest of the day.
  • Baking soda works great as a mildly abrasive scouring powder. Used on a damp sponge it can even get a kool-aid stain off the kitchen counter! This natural deodorizer can also work wonders in a refrigerator, pantry or clothes closet to keep the air fresh. Hey, any product that can keep kitty litter smelling fresh is a miracle-worker in my book.
  • Lemons and lemon juice are nature’s bleach and disinfectant. I love to use lemons to freshen my garbage disposal. Sprinkling some salt on a lemon you've cut in half makes a great disinfectant and deodorizer for a cutting board.

When making your own cleaners use caution. Make sure you read all labels closely and follow recommendations. Never mix products that turn toxic when combined including bleach with ammonia or vinegar.

Here’s to a clean, green house this spring!

| View Comments [6] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: bakingsoda   chemical   clean   green   lemon   organic   sommer   spring   toxic   vinegar  

Comments (6):

blue comment bubble Posted by Citizen Jmaximus on March 21, 2008 at 08:26 AM EDT

These products do work but I have doubts about how well citric acid and salt kill germs. I would say a cap full of bleach in a spray bottle of water works better. Also a cap full of ammonia mixed with the vinegar boosts it's cleaning power. A drop of dish soap in a spray bottle of water also works well as an all purpose cleaner. Here one that works wonders for cleaning microwaves. Take a bowl, put some baking soda and vinegar in it, run the microwave for a couple minutes, then wipe clean. A 50/50 of Peroxide and water in a spray bottle makes a good air freshner with out sickening perfumes. BTW Coke cola doesn't make a good cleaner but club soda does.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Sommer on March 21, 2008 at 09:40 AM EDT

Thanks for the tips, Citizen Jmaximus!
I choose not to use bleach and ammonia in my cleaning because of the awful fumes. Also, because they're potentially toxic chemicals they don't go very far to further my "greening" efforts. I love your suggestion about cleaning the microwave although I bet when combining the baking soda and vinegar you have to be pretty careful not to create a "volcano":-)

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blue comment bubble Posted by edith on March 21, 2008 at 11:09 AM EDT

That’s probably an interesting point concerning this subject. Such information should be accessible to the wider public. http://www.truckersservices.com

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blue comment bubble Posted by Shawn A Hearn on March 23, 2008 at 01:57 PM EDT

The best part of making your own cleaners other than saving money is you know what is going in to them. You have more control.

Shawn A Hearn

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blue comment bubble Posted by Cowtel72 on March 23, 2008 at 07:54 PM EDT

Going Green

It’s everywhere, movements to save the environment. Al Gore leading the way on every news channel. We hear about the melting icebergs, rising ocean and disappearing ozone. The world as a whole is guilty of causing global warming and other destruction of natural resources. It is not too late to slow the progression or reverse the effects. So what can we do to help slow or reverse the effects?

The road – there are ways to help decrease the CO2.
• check out hybrid automobiles
• get regular service: oil changes, belts, filters
• proper tire inflation
• carpool
• bus : most hospitals are on bus routes
• walk or bike

The home – permanent or traveling
• recycle
• turn off the light
• unplug unused appliances
• keep your thermostat in check: open a window, use a fan

The job – hospital, facility or office
• bring your lunch and drinking cup
• learn office policies
• suggest recycling: empty soda cans or magazines


For more information please visit www.nationalhealthmarket.com for resources .Post a resume to be viewed by 100’s of facilities or companies nationwide or search jobs that meet your needs. Relocating? National Health Market offers free
permanent placement assistance to all health workers. Or just visit our resource center with licensing, relocation, overseas travel and much more.

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blue comment bubble Posted by 50 CENT COMET on March 27, 2008 at 05:03 PM EDT

AT THE LOCAL DOLLAR STORE THEY HAVE REALLY CHEAP CLEANERS AND ON A FIXED INCOME CHEAP CLEANSER ARE CRUCIAL SO MY SPRING CLEANING WILL BE DONE WITH THE 50 CENT COMET AND YOUR RIGHT BE CAREFUL NOT TO MIX WITH BLEACH OR YOU CAN FAINT FROM FUMES. HAVE ONE BUCKET WITH BLEACH AND WATER ONE WITH COMET AND WATER AND CLEAN SOME PEOPLE MIX IT ALL IN ONE BUCKET AND YOU CAN SMELL THE FUMES A MILE AWAY.....

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