Simple, Green Strategies
As opposed to Simple Green strategies. Which I just discovered has had non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products on the market for over 30 years. I mean, duh, it’s in the name, right? Anyway, here are some things I’ve implemented at our house.
Did you know that distilled white vinegar and baking soda will clean virtually everything you need them to? They’re cheap, non-toxic, biodegradable, disinfecting awesomeness. The vinegar smell doesn’t linger, and your house sparkles.
Here’s what I do:
For all purpose cleaner / disinfectant: fill a spray bottle with 1/2 water, 1/2 distilled white vinegar, and a squirt of liquid dish soap, then shake it all together. Spray and wipe on counter and table tops. Spray and wipe to clean mirrors and glass. Spray and wipe in the bathroom to clean your toilet, sink, and shower.
Or try this mixture in the bathroom: spray or pour undiluted distilled white vinegar in the bathtub and scrub with an abrasive sponge to get things sparkling. You can also pour baking soda in the tub before or after the vinegar, watch it fizz, then start scrubbing. I’d wear rubber gloves, especially for those with sensitive skin. The vinegar won’t do any damage; it just might sting a bit. You can also pour undiluted distilled white vinegar in the toilet, follow with baking soda, then scrub with a toilet brush. The baking soda isn’t mandatory, but it’s a good, gentle abrasive. Do the same on the sink.
For floors: fill the sink with 1/2 cup to a cup of distilled white vinegar, a couple of squirts of liquid dish soap, and at least half a sink-full of water. Mix it up, and use to mop your floors. Safe for linoleum, wood, stone, marble, concrete, whathaveyou. I read that you can also add olive oil to this mixture and use as a furniture polish.
For laundry: add 1/4 to one cup of distilled white vinegar to your laundry to whiten whites. It’s also good to brighten colors, I have read; but I haven’t tried it yet. I really like Arm & Hammer’s laundry detergent (free and clear of dyes and fragrances)–it’s cheaper than all the other green brands (like Method and Seventh Generation) and does a fantastic job of cleaning clothes.
Baking soda works to absorb odors, so it’s good to sprinkle on the floor and then vacuum up if you’ve had a pet accident.
See the following websites for further green education and cleaning strategies:
www.seventhgeneration.com*
www.thegreenguide.com*
www.armandhammer.com
www.simplegreen.com
*Seventh Generation’s website is the MOST informative resource I have found for learning why going green in our homes is important. National Geographic’s Green Guide is also a wonderful resource, but you have to subscribe online or in print to get the full benefit.