Make It Monday: Non-Toxic Cleaners

Everyday we see and read more and more about going green and keeping our planet green. For the next few weeks, we are going to blog about simple things that we can all do in an effort to help keep our planet green.

Over the past few years, I have collected and used a variety of recipes for cleaning supplies, not because they were green, but because they were cheap! I like cheap. Now I find out I am also doing something good for the environment. Green cleaning supplies also have another benefit - if my small children should happen to get into the cleaning supplies, they will not be harmed. So, for our first post in our Going Green series, I thought I would share some of these recipes today.

WINDOW CLEANER
1/4 -1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent (I like to use Dawn)
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
Spray bottle

Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake. The soap will help to cut wax residue that may be on your windows.

FURNITURE POLISH
1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.

OVEN CLEANER
1 cup or more baking soda
Water
A squirt or two of liquid detergent

Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture sit overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge and wash the remaining residue from the oven. I don't know about you, but I hate the smell of oven cleaner! This solution does not smell at all!!

On another note, there are two things that every green cleaning home should always have on hand.

Vinegar is something to always have on hand. I just keep straight vinegar in a spray bottle. It cuts mildew and smells. It is also great mixed with water to use as a bathroom and kitchen cleaner. I also regularly use it to deodorize drains.

Baking Soda is another great item to have. I use this to polish the sinks. It also works as a deodorizer.

I encourage you try a few of these. They are easy to make, cost only a few pennies to make, and are better for our environment than most cleaning supplies you buy in the store. If you would like more information on going green, this website can give you more recipes for cleaning supplies and other green tips.

Your Green Girlfriend,
Melinda