Archive for Home Cleaning

The Power of Vinegar

May 30, 2008 · Filed under Home Cleaning, Vinegar, green living · Tagged , , , , ,

Vinegar has many uses and is a versatile natural product that can be used through out your home. Vinegar can disinfect, preserve and heal.

All vinegar starts as alcohol, which is created through the conversion of carbohydrates to sugar. When alcohol ferments, it becomes acetic acid, or vinegar. For example, a bunch of grapes deteriorates to become wine (alcohol) and then wine ferments into wine vinegar. This is pretty impressive considering vinegar is a byproduct of something gone bad.

Your kitchen, for example, is probably one of the hardest rooms to keep clean, with all the foot traffic, greasy pans, and spills. Vinegar is an indispensable tool for your kitchen because it can clean practically any surface. From coffeemakers, to dishwashers and everything in between, vinegar will clean better than any other chemical commercial product for a fraction of the cost.

With this series of “how-to’s” with vinegar we plan on giving you practical do-it-yourself techniques to help you clean your home, clean your laundry, cure some ailments such as hay fever, rashes, and heartburn, along with a few home improvement tips and tricks and much more.

To get started, bellow is a recipe for a multipurpose home cleaner. With this simple mixture, you can get rid of all those harmful, expensive cleaning chemicals. You can use this mixture on virtually any surface for daily cleaning. It is especially good for cleaning stove tops, counter tops, and ovens.

What you will need:

  • 1 teaspoon of borax
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons of vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon liquid dish soap
  • 2 cups of hot water

Prepare the mixture and store it in a clean spray bottle. You might want to recycle an old spray bottle from one of the commercial cleaners. To do this make sure to rinse the bottle at least 3 times to clean out the remaining chemicals from the old cleaner. Or you can purchase a new spray bottle at most hardware stores. Make sure to clearly label the bottle and attach a list of ingredients.

You can use this cleaner through out your home on any hard surface. Keep in mind that it is mildly abrasive due to the baking soda so use it carefully on easily damaged hard surfaces such as wood and glass.

* Whenever vinegar is called for through out this series, use distilled white vinegar. If other types of vinegar are called for, the specific types are noted.

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10 Ways to Make Your Home a Green Home

February 11, 2008 · Filed under Baking Soda, Home Cleaning, Salt, green living · Tagged , , ,

A green home is a healthy home; free of toxins with fresh air and a clean environment for our families. A green home is also an environmentally friendly home with reduced energy use, conscience recycling efforts and sustainable living habits.

Creating a green home is easier then you think.

  1. Reduce your temperature to your water heater by 10 degrees. By reducing the temp, you can save 3% - 5% in your energy costs.
  2. Reduce your thermostat by 10 degrees. Even for just the 8 hours your family is out at work or school, will save you another 10% on your energy bill.
  3. Get a high-performance shower head. This will use 60% less water and most are designed to produce the same feeling of water pressure.
  4. Clean your lint trap regularly. Doing this simple task can reduce you families energy use by 30%.
  5. Use chemical free, natural cleaners. Baking soda, salt, and vinegar are just a few natural cleaners you can use to clean your home. Most people have these items in their homes already and they are much healthier for your family than the toxic chemicals in traditional home cleaners. Let’s just put it this way; if you need to wear rubber gloves so you don’t absorb the chemicals into your skin or if there is a warning label that you must use the cleaner in a well ventilated area, it’s a good bet that the cleaner is not environmentally friendly, safe for your family and may cause illness.
  6. Replace major appliances with Energy Star Appliances. This can be a big investment to purchase new appliances for the sake of having a green home but they end up paying for themselves in the long run. They will reduce your energy costs and help the environment.
  7. Install double-pane windows. Also a big investment, but will pay for itself as well.
  8. Remove all carpet. Drastic, I know, I’m not a fan of carpet. Especially when there are renewable, sustainable, environmentally friendly alternatives that are much healthier and easier to keep clean. Bamboo, cork, and reclaimed wood are far better to have in your home than carpet. Carpet collects dust and no matter how great your vacuum is, it doesn’t get it all. The air quality in your home will be substantially improved without carpet.
  9. Buy house plants. Plants are natures way of cleaning the air and producing oxygen.
  10. Use Green Energy. More then 50% of U.S. retail customers have the option to choose green energy from their energy provider. Should you choose to do so, you’ll be using energy created directly from renewable sources like wind and solar power.

More Information

Creating an Eco-Friendly Bedroom
Green Shopping

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Bonus Tips - Salt Uses for Your Home

November 22, 2007 · Filed under Home Cleaning, Salt · Tagged , , ,

More uses for Salt:

  1. Polish up your tarnished copper pots by using a little salt and vinegar. Sprinkle the pots with salt. Then with a cloth dipped in vinegar, scour your pots until the tarnished is gone. Wash as normal.
  2. Remove rust stains with a thin paste made of salt and vinegar. Rub the paste onto the stain and lay out in the sun to dry. When dry run item through rinse cycle. Repeat treatment if necessary.

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10 Ways to Use Salt to Clean Your Home

August 27, 2007 · Filed under Home Cleaning, Natural Stain Removers, Salt

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From stained carpet to tarnished copper; salt can do the job of cleaning your home. Salt is tough enough to tackle your hardest cleaning projects including polishing your sinks, removing stains in your carpet and revitalizing your word furniture.

10 ways to use salt to clean your home.

  1. Red wine stains in your carpet can be removed easily. Begin by immediately blotting up as much wine as you can with a towel. Then sprinkle the area with salt. Let stand for 20 minutes allowing the salt to soak up any remaining wine. Finally, clean up area with a solution made of vinegar and water mix at a 1:2 ratio. ex. 1 cup vinegar with 2 cups of water.
  2. Removing grease stains from carpet or rug can be tricky but salt will work every time. Use a mixture of salt and rubbing alcohol at a ratio of 1:4. Rub the mixture into the stain going in the same direction as the nap. You may need some elbow grease for task but it should work. When finished rinse with water and blot dry.
  3. Brighten up enameled sinks, bathtubs, and toilets that have gone yellow with age. You will need to make a paste with salt and turpentine (wear rubber gloves) . You should only need a small amount of turpentine. Make in small quantities; this mixture will go along way. Apply to enameled surface and let sit for 10 - 15 minutes. Then wipe away with a damp sponge.
  4. Whiten yellowed wicker by scrubbing it down with a saltwater solution and placing in direct sunlight for 30 minutes.
  5. Hot pans and water stains on your wood table can be removed with a little salad oil and salt. Just make a thin paste and polish the area of the stain. Use a gentle circular motion and wipe off with a soft cloth when finished.
  6. Polishing pewter can be a difficult task because it is so soft and can be damaged easily. Using flour, salt and vinegar you can make a paste that will be gentle enough to polish pewter. See recipe bellow.
  7. Polish copper or brass with a sliced lemon dipped in slat. Rub salted lemon in a circular motion on the copper or brass surface. Rinse with water. This method is best for slightly tarnished copper and brass.
  8. Clean tarnished copper with a little vinegar and salt. Begin by adding vinegar with a little water to a spray bottle. Spray the copper item with the solution and then sprinkle with salt. Gently scrub the piece with a soft sponge and rinse making sure to remove all of the salt.
  9. Clean and shine copper and brass make a paste with equal parts vinegar, flour and salt. Rub on paste and let stand for about 1 hour. Then clean off and buff with a soft cloth.
  10. Remove rust with a simple paste made of salt and lemon juice (from the fruit not in the bottle). Apply paste to the rusted object. Rub with a dry soft cloth.

Pewter Polish
You will need:

  • Flour
  • Salt
  • Vinegar

In a bowl mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of vinegar and add flour until you have a smooth paste. Apply paste to the pewter piece and allow to dry for 30 minutes. Rinse with water and polish with soft cloth. Make sure to remove all paste residue.

~ DIY Naturally

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10 Ways to Use Salt to Clean Your Laundry

June 24, 2007 · Filed under Home Cleaning, Natural Stain Removers, Salt

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Salt is a wonderful stain remover. With salt you can remove grease stains, ink stains, blood stains and more. Using salt in your laundry will also help preserve bright colors and reduce the yellowing of white clothing.

10 ways to use salt to clean your laundry

  1. Remove grease stains on fabric by sprinkling the stain with salt. Allow the salt to soak up the grease and wipe off. Repeat if necessary.
  2. Remove a fresh blood stain by covering it with salt. Then dab with a clod water cloth. Continue to add water until the stain is gone.
  3. Remove ink stains by rubbing the stain with salt. Then soak the stain in milk over night. Then wash.
  4. For mildew stains, use a paste made of lemon juice and salt. Spread the paste on the mildew and lay clothing out in the sun. The sun, salt and lemon juice will bleach the mildew.
  5. To remove mildew stains on other fabrics use a solution of salt, vinegar, and water.
  6. Remove wine stains from cotton fabric by sprinkling enough salt on the stain to absorb the wine. Soak the clothing for 2 hours in cold water. Then wash.
  7. Treat yellowing of white cotton clothes by soaking in a solution of water, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Let stand for 1 hour. Then wash.
  8. Remove sweat stains on white clothing by dabbing the areas with a sponge soaked in a salt water solution of 4 tablespoons of salt per 1 quart of water.
  9. Prevent bleeding colors by adding 1/2 cup of salt to your wash cycle.
  10. Bring colored rugs back to their vibrant colors by rubbing a salt water solution into the rug with a damp cloth. Use a gentle scrubbing motion.

~ Do it Yourself Naturally

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Bonus Baking Soda Tips

June 22, 2007 · Filed under Baking Soda, Birds, Home Cleaning

Here are some extra tips from the great readers at d.i.y naturally. Thanks all!

Diane from The Mommy Spot - She uses baking soda to clean her parrot cages. She doesn’t have to worry about her parrots eating any residue.

Jan from Skincare Naturals - She suggests using baking soda in your dishwasher to help grease build-up.

Thanks for the great ideas! Your blogs are great with a ton of great information.

~ DIY Naturally

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10 Ways to Use Salt to Clean Your Kitchen

June 22, 2007 · Filed under Home Cleaning, Salt

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We all know how difficult it can be to keep our kitchens clean with high traffic, spills, drips, dirty dishes, and greasy pans. It seems like it is a never ending battle sometimes. Thankfully our ordinary table salt can be of greater use other than seasoning our foods.

10 Ways to Use Salt to Clean Your Kitchen

  1. Clean up stove top spills by sprinkling with salt. It’s naturally mild abrasive quality; salt can easily remove stuck on spills.
  2. Mask the odor of burned-on foods on your stovetop burner by sprinkling the food with a mixture of salt and cinnamon. Wipe away the mixture immediately. The next time you use that burner you won’t have the smell of burned food through out your home.
  3. Refresh your refrigerator by cleaning it with a mixture of equal parts salt and baking soda. With a damp sponge dipped in the mixture wipe down the inside of your refrigerator and rinse off with a clean wet sponge. 
  4. Remove coffee stains from mugs by rubbing the stain with salt and a little water. Then wash as normal.
  5. Clean casserole dishes with stubborn baked on foods by adding 3 tablespoons of salt to boiling water. Pour the water into the dish and let stand until the water has cooled. Wash as usual. 
  6. Dirty pots and pans with excess grease can be easily cleaned by sprinkling the pot or pan with a generous amount of salt. Allow the salt to absorb the grease and wipe away with a paper towel before washing.
  7. Remove odors from kitchen drains by pouring 1 cup of salt and 2 cups of hot water down the drain.
  8. Brake up clogged or slow drains by pouring a mixture of equal parts salt, vinegar and baking soda down the drain. Let stand for an hour. Then pour boiling hot water down the drain.
  9. Polish up your silverware by gently rubbing the silverware with salt and a soft cloth. For your fine silver, use a paste of 2 tablespoons of salt and a half a cup of vinegar. With a soft cloth gently rub the pieces in a circular motion. Rinse and hand dry with a dry soft cloth.
  10. Eliminate odors in plastic container and thermoses. Sprinkle some salt into the container and cover with lid. Leave for several hours. Repeat if necessary.

~ Do It Yourself Naturally

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The Power of Salt

June 22, 2007 · Filed under Home Cleaning, Natural Beauty Products, Salt, Skin Care

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The last several articles have been about using baking soda for various household cleaning tasks including the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and a few other uses such as, taking care of your kids and pets and as a beauty product.

To continue with our “No more chemical cleaners” series, we are going to shift to table salt and its many uses around your home.

A natural compound, Sodium Chloride or as we know it, table salt; has some amazing power. It can preserve foods, soothe aches and pains, and clean your home.  Salt is also a key ingredient for your health. It can help our muscles, help our digestion of food and help our blood circulation.

Along with all the helpful household tips, I will also share some great recipes for dinner dishes and dressings, as well as beauty recipes for natural toothpaste and remedies for allergies and toothaches.

 ~ Do It Yourself Naturally

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10 Ways to Use Baking Soda in Your Laundry Room

March 9, 2007 · Filed under Baking Soda, Home Cleaning

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Baking soda is such a versatile natural product it can be used throughout your home. It has a mild alkali property that makes it a key player in your laundry room. Baking soda can cut grease, remove dirt, brighten and refresh your clothes, as well as save your clothes from laundry mis-haps.

10 ways to use baking soda in your laundry room

  1. Cut the musty smell in your hamper by sprinkling a small hand full of baking soda over your dirty clothes. The baking soda will also help clean them when you put them in the washer.
  2. Boost your laundry detergent by adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to each load.
  3. You can get rid of expensive dryer sheets and/or fabric softeners. Instead add 1/2 of baking soda during the rinse cycle. Your clothes will come out soft and deodorized.
  4. Easily remove perspiration stains by scrubbing in a paste of baking soda and water and let sit for 1 hour, then wash. For the stubborn stains, make a paste with 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 1/4 cup of warm water. Scrub in the paste, let stand for a few minutes, and then add a little white vinegar and wash.
  5. Blood stains can be removed by first, dampening the stain with warm water. Then rub in some baking soda. Finally, dab with hydrogen peroxide until the stain is gone. **Use caution with hydrogen peroxide - - it can remove color pigments.
  6. Remove cigarette smoke smells from your clothes by soaking them in a baking soda solution made of 1/2 cup baking soda per gallon of water. This also works for chlorine smelling bathing suits.
  7. Save your whites with baking soda. If you have washed your whites with colors and they are now dyed, you can undo the damage by soaking them in a solution of warm water, baking soda, salt and detergent.
  8. Remove grease spots on polyester fabrics by rubbing dry baking soda on the stain. Just brush off and the stain will be gone.
  9. Clean suede with baking soda applied with a soft brush. Let sit and brush off.
  10. Remove ink stains from leather. Lay the item flat, sprinkle baking soda over the stain and let sit until ink is absorbed. You may need to repeat this technique.

~Do It Yourself Naturally

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10 Ways to Use Baking Soda in Your Bathroom

March 8, 2007 · Filed under Baking Soda, Home Cleaning

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Baking Soda is a great all-perpose cleaner. For everyday bathroom cleaning, baking soda on a damp sponge can usually do the trick and for the heavy duty cleaning, baking soda mixed with a few ingredients will get the job done. Using Baking Soda in your bathroom will leave it smelling clean and looking shiny with little effort.

There are 3 ways to use baking soda, as I’ve mentioned in a previous post, directly, in a solution and a paste.

10 ways to use baking soda in your bathroom 

  1. For everyday cleaning of your toilet pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into toilet bowl and let sit for 30 minutes before brushing. Then flush. For the more stubborn stains in your toilet, use an untreated steel wool pad dipped in baking soda and scrub.
  2. Fiberglass tubs an showers can be easily scratched, use a sponge and a paste made with baking soda and liquid soap; wipe on and rinse.
  3. For that stubborn ring-around-the-tub, add baking soda to your warm bath. It will help reduce the ring and also soften your skin.
  4. For grout and tile stains, use a paste made of 1 part bleach to 3 parts baking soda; wipe on and rinse. Mildew stains need a little more attention, so use a paste of baking soda and water with a toothbrush, then scrub.
  5. For marble counter tops use a paste made of baking soda and white vinegar. Sponge on the paste, rinse and buff.
  6. For ceramic tile with hard water or rust stains use a simple water and baking soda paste.  With a bristle brush, scrub on and rinse.
  7. As an air freshener mix baking soda and your favorite bath salts to a small decorative dish place on the counter close to the toilet or on the tank. Change every 2-3 months.
  8. Recycle old panty hose by putting 1/2 cup of baking soda in the toe and hang on the pipes under your sink.
  9. Sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of your trash can every time your change it out.
  10. For soap scum buildup around your tub and sink use a homemade mixture (directions bellow).

Soap Scum Remover

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1 cup liquid soap
  • 1 gallon warm water

Mix well, apply liberally and rinse.

~ Do It Yourself Naturally
 
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10 Ways to Use Baking Soda in Your Kitchen

February 28, 2007 · Filed under Baking Soda, Home Cleaning

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Some Guidelines

You can use baking soda in 3 different ways:

  1. Directly - sprinkle it directly on a surface or on a sponge.
  2. Solution - use 4 tablespoons of baking soda per quart of warm water.
  3. Paste - add just enough water to make a consistancy that will not run when applied.

10 ways to use baking soda in your kitchen

  1. Use a baking soda paste to remove stains from plastic/rubber utensils and containers.
  2. Use a solution to remove stains from wooden bowls and utensils.
  3. Use directly or in a solution to clean your stainless steal sink and other kitchen surfaces.
  4. Use a paste to remove stains from laminated countertops. Apply, let dry and then rub off.
  5. Use 1/2 cup of baking soda in a bucket of warm water to clean tile floors. Mop and rinse.
  6. Use directly with a sponge or scrubber to remove black shoe marks from floors.
  7. Use a solution to clean induction and glass stovetops.
  8. Use directly with a sponge to remove coffee and tea stains on cups and mugs.
  9. Prevent clogged sinks by periodically pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda down your sink, followed by hot water.
  10. Use a homemade solution (directions bellow) to cut grease and clean stoves, backsplashes and enamel surfaces.

Grease Cleaner Solution

1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 cup ammonia
1 gallon hot water

Mix in a cleaning bucket and clean surfaces with a sponge or scrubber. Wear rubber gloves and use in a well-ventilated area.

~ Do It Yourself Naturally

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No More Chemical Cleaners

February 28, 2007 · Filed under Home Cleaning

cleaning.jpgSpring is just around the corner and it will be time to clean your home from top to bottom. From the kitchen to the closet, using natural products have several advantages.

  • - Healthier - no harmful chemicals or additives that are dangerous to breath and absorb through your skin
  • - Inexpensive - natural cleaners will save you money
  • - Easily accessible - natural cleaners are easily found in your grocery store if they’re not already in your cupboard
  • - Safe for the environment - natural cleaners have no damaging effects on the environment and are not tested on animals

Before you begin the annual ritual of spring cleaning throw out all your chemical cleaning products.

Throw these out:

  • Degreasing cleaners for sinks and bathtubs
  • Multi-surface cleaners
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Dishwasher detergents
  • Toilet bowl cleaners
  • Floor cleaners
  • Polishes
  • Window cleaners
  • Disinfectants and bleaches
  • Metal cleaners and scourers
  • Air fresheners

Go for “soft chemistry”:

  • Pure soap flakes - and hot water with a little washing soda will clean just about anything. Simple - it works. 
  • Liquid soap (no additives)  
  • Baking soda - buy in bulk - you will get a lot of use out of it. Baking Soda is a natural mineral and a versatile cleaner.
  • Table salt - a mild disinfectant that is gently abrasive for scouring.
  • White vinegar - cuts through dirt and will effectivly clean glass, and remove stained coffee mugs and pots.
  • Washing soda - a natural water softener and cuts through grease making it an effective heavy-duty cleaner for walls, floors, and kitchen surfaces.
  • Essential oils - tea tree, citrus, thyme, sage, and eucalyptus oils all have disinfectant properties and can be added to any natural cleaners for fragrance.
  • Lemon juice - fragrant, safe and versatile cleaner 

Natural Cleaning Tools:

  • Non-treated Steel wool
  • Wooden handle bristle brush
  • Cellulose sponges
  • Old t-shirts and sheets

~ Do It Yourself Naturally

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