Healthy Living

CREATE-YOUR-OWN CLEANERS WITH COMMON INGREDIENTS

Want to avoid chemical cleaners that aggravate your allergies or asthma and save money, too? Scan your pantry shelves for common household ingredients that you can use to make your own, earth-friendly, people-friendly cleaning solutions. Your home will shine—and you’ll feel better about what you’re putting into the air and water supply.

TUBS AND SINKS:
Sprinkle baking soda on porcelain fixtures and rub with a wet rag. For a little booster power, add a drop of liquid castile soap. Rinse well to avoid leaving a film.

TOILET BOWLS:
Use baking soda to clean inside the toilet bowl in place of scouring powder, adding in a few drops of liquid castile soap.
In a hurry? Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets in your bowl and let sit for 10 minutes, then easily brush away residue and flush. A quick “hands free” method in a pinch.
A teaspoon of Tang drink mix in the toilet bowl is another quick, non-toxic solution. The citric acid in the Tang acts as a scrubber. Just let it set for a few minutes, then swish with a toilet brush and flush.

WINDOWS AND MIRRORS:
Mix a solution of one part white vinegar and ten parts water. Spray on surface, then rub with a lint-free rag (old cloth diapers work well) or wadded up newspapers for a streak-free shine. Outdoors: wash with a sponge dipped in a water/castile soap mixture, rinse well and squeegee dry.

DRAINS:
Loosen up minor clogs and keep drains clear and smelling fresh with this all-natural technique that may remind you of an elementary school science experiment. Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain, followed by ½ cup vinegar. Let fizz. Then pour down a teakettle full of boiling water. Repeat if needed. If the clog is stubborn, use a plunger or mechanical “snake.”

COPPER:
Mix equal parts vinegar and salt and apply to surface with a clean, soft rag. Rinse thoroughly to avoid pitting, and don’t use this technique on lacquered copper.
Another copper cleaning trick: dip half a lemon in salt and rub over surface, then shine with a cloth that’s been dipped in water. Cleans brass, too.

OVENS:
Commercial oven cleaners should be avoided because they contain chemicals which are highly toxic and can cause severe skin and respiratory irritation. Mix a cup of baking soda with enough water to make a paste, then apply to crusty oven surfaces and let sit for 15 minutes. Then use a spatula to scrape off large food deposits, and scrub off the rest with a scouring pad. This method requires a little more elbow grease, but is worth the peace of mind. THIS METHOD IS NOT SUITABLE FOR SELF-CLEANING OVENS.

GLASS SHOWER DOORS:
Remove built-up shower scum with a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda. Rinse well, then rub a teaspoon a lemon oil on the doors. Water will bead up and roll off, and doors will stay shiny. Repeat every two weeks.