Sustainable Cleaning

One of the ways that we can help the environment is to use fewer chemicals in our lives. We have to be careful of how chemicals interact with humans, animals and the environment. These days there are a lot of green cleaning alternatives available at many stores, but there are also the old-fashioned ways to clean things that also can save lots of money. Somehow our parents and grandparents kept things pretty clean without a cabinet full of toxic chemicals.

Here are some ideas:

• Hard-water stains – make a paste of baking soda and toothpaste and scrub with an old toothbrush, rinse.

• Mineral deposits in teapot – simmer one cup of white vinegar and four tablespoons baking soda for 30 minutes, rinse.

• Fiberglass tubs – soak a sponge or rag in vinegar, then scrub with baking soda, rinse.

• Copper cleaner – rub with lemon juice and salt, rinse.

• Pet odor remover – dab with cider vinegar.

• Stainless steel polish – rub with mineral oil.

• Grease spots on garage floor – cover with baking soda, let sit, sweep up. May need to repeat if stubborn.

• Furniture polish – mix two parts olive oil with one part lemon juice. Use a few drops on a soft cloth to wipe wooden furniture. Buff with dry cloth to remove excess oil. Store and label polish in glass jar.

• Perspiration or deodorant stains – spray full-strength white vinegar on collar or underarm areas before washing in machine.

• Tomato stains in plastic containers – rub with damp baking soda, or, fill the container with water and drop in two foaming denture-cleaner tablets for 20 minutes and rinse.

These are just ten out of a hundred ideas to use less toxic substitutes instead of all those chemicals. Thanks to DCEC member Jean S. for her suggesting this topic and for all her good notes.