Safe Alternatives to Commercial Cleaning Products
Baking soda uses:freshens, cleans and deodorizes.Good scouring powder.Softens water in creasing the cleaning power of soap.Do not use on aluminum - it will turn black.
Polishing paste for tarnished silverware, bathtubs, stainless steel sinks, toilets, etc., mix equal parts baking soda and warm water. Cover when not in use.
Liquid cleaner mix 2 tablespoons baking soda with 1 pint warm water in a spray bottle. Use for mopping vinyl floors, cleaning compact disks or washing windows.
Sponging - sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge and wipe scuffs, stains or crayon marks from painted walls, laminated counter tops, tile surfaces, and appliances like the microwave, stove top and fridge.Dry with a clean cloth.
Borax (sodium borate):Cleans, freshens, deodorizes and disinfects. Softens water, prevents soap film.(when sprinkling powder, you may want to wear a painter's mask as this can, in some, irritate the lungs.)
Soap:Biodegrades safely without polluting water.Sold as liquid, flake, powder or in bars.Check ingredients on label and avoid synthetic scents, colors and other additives.
[super] Washing soda ([hydrated]sodium carbonate):Disinfectant.Cuts grease and removes stains, aids soap and prevents soap film.
White vinegar:cuts grease, freshens.
Cider vinegar, GSE and tea tree oil are naturally anti-fungal/anti-bacterial.
Hot water and sunshine also kill germs.
3% food grade peroxide disinfects/freshens
Mildewy shower curtains - you can get mildew proof cotton curtains. You can take down the curtain you have periodically and throw it in the washer with detergent or borax or baking soda or vinegar. Let it dry in the sun and rehang.Close the curtain after each shower to help prevent mildew.Or wash with 1/2 cup soap and 1/2 cup baking soda. Add 1 cup white vinegar to your rinse cycle.
All purpose cleaner:1 tsp. liquid soap, 1 tsp. borax, squeeze of lemon or splash of vinegar in 1 qt. of warm water. or:2 teaspoons borax, 1 teaspoon soap and 1 quart water in a spray bottle.Add vinegar or washing soda to cut grease.
Disinfectant:1/4 cup borax in 1/2 gallon hot water.Used in Ca. hospitals for a year and met all the germicidal requirements.Or 2 cups hot water on 2 cups fresh thyme leaves. Steep 10 minutes. Strain, cool and put in spray bottle.
Scouring powder:firm bristle brush with soap combined with either borax, table salt or baking soda.
