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Rethink Clean |
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Lurking within the underbellies of our kitchen cupboards are
volatile chemicals and poisons disguised as cleaning products. We all have them
crammed under our cupboards safely locked from children and pets. In most cases
these cleaning products are more dangerous than the bacteria we scrub away. A Green Solution - There is an alternative to these chemicals; biodegradable, organic, non-toxic cleaning products. With new research uncovering the negative impact of traditional cleaning products, tons of green cleaning products are hitting the market. You can also make your own with common ingredients for pennies on the dollar. Homemade cleaners kill germs just as effectively and reduce the amount of exposure to harsh chemicals to us, and our environment. Here are just a few non-toxic substitutions for common household chemicals. Hydrogen peroxide or citrus based sanitizers instead of chlorine bleach. Hydrogen peroxide works great to pre-treat blood stains and is safe for colors. White vinegar can be used safely and effectively in many different ways and the smell will dissipate after a couple of hours. To kill mold; use white vinegar full strength on mold and mildew. Natural All-Purpose Cleaner - Mix 1 cup of vinegar, ½ cup of baking soda and 1 gallon of water. You can add lemon juice as well for extra cleaning plus a fresh scent. Pour into a spray bottle and store indefinitely. For a stronger formula add ¼ cup of ammonia to the above or simply increase the above ingredients except for the water (remember to be careful with the ammonia, it’s natural but toxic). Window or Glass Cleaner - A mixture of white vinegar and water will do the trick (about ¼ cup for every 2 cups of water). Just spray on and wipe with a cloth. You can substitute the vinegar for 1 tablespoon of lemon juice if you wish. To avoid streaking don’t clean glass when it is warm. Furniture polish - Make a mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Or, use a mixture of lemon oil and mineral oil. You can store these in either a jar or spray bottle. Apply the formula to a cloth rather than spraying directly on the wood, and work in to polish and shine your furniture naturally. Fabric & Carpet Cleaner/Deodorizer - Sprinkle cornmeal and borax on carpet, let stand and vacuum. Spray vinegar to remove urine odor from fabrics and carpets, let set a while then clean up with warm soap and water. |
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