Green Cleaning Part 1

Did you know that you can clean your entire house with only vinegar, baking soda and 20 Mule Team Borax?

That's right, you can clean, disinfect and deodorize your entire house while keeping your family and pets safe from the fumes and residue left behind by the most common commercial cleaning products! Give it a shot! You will be pleasantly surprised at the results.

Below are several ways to use white distilled vinegar.

White distilled vinegar is very effective for killing most mold, bacteria, and germs, due to its level of acidity. Environmentally friendly and economical too!

*In a spray bottle, mix 1 cup water and 1 cup vinegar. Use this to clean and disinfect counter tops, faucets, toilet seats, and refrigerators. Also cleans glass, mirrors and windows....with no streaking!

*Make a paste made of 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon vinegar to shine chrome sink fixtures and remove hard water stains.

*Deodorize the garbage disposal by pouring in 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup hot vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes then run hot water down the disposal.

*Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.

*Remove soap buildup and odors from the dishwasher by pouring a cup of vinegar inside the empty machine and running it through a whole cycle. Do monthly. You can do the same with your washing machine. Run a wash cycle with just vinegar.

*Get rid of lime deposits in a tea kettle by adding 1/2 cup vinegar to the water and letting it sit overnight. If more drastic action is needed, boil full-strength vinegar in the kettle a few minutes, let cool and rinse with plain water.

*Remove mineral deposits from coffee makers with vinegar. Fill the water reservoir with 1 cup or more of white distilled vinegar and run it through a whole cycle. Run it once or twice more with plain water to rinse clean.

*Remove stains from coffee and tea cups by scrubbing them gently with equal parts of salt (or baking soda) and vinegar. Rinse clean.

*For stained and smelly plastic food containers, wipe them with a cloth dampened with vinegar.

*Remove ugly film in narrow-necked glass jars, flower vases, and bottles by letting undiluted vinegar sit in them for a few hours. Add a little salt and shake vigorously to loosen stubborn stains. Repeat if necessary.

*To clean tarnished brass, copper and pewter, use a paste with equal amounts of vinegar and table salt.

*Clean metal by adding enough vinegar to 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar to make a paste. Rub it on and let it dry on the surface. Wash it off and dry with a soft cloth.

*Clean and deodorize sponges and dishrags by letting them soak in water and vinegar solution.

*To clean a scummy showerhead, pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar into a sandwich bag and tie it around the showerhead. Let this set for an hour after the bubbling has stopped. Remove the bag and then turn on the water.

*Clean up pet accidents by first blotting up the area and then adding a vinegar and water solution. Blot until it is almost dry. Then sprinkle baking soda over the area. Vacuum up when dry.

*To remove film in glass baby bottles, fill with equal parts hot water and vinegar. Let sit for at least an hour. Scrub with a bottle brush.

*To clean and disinfect baby toys, vinyl books, board books, wood puzzles etc., lightly spray with vinegar and water solution. Wipe dry.

*Clean and deodorize urine on a mattress with a vinegar and water solution. Then sprinkle the area with baking soda and let dry. Brush or vacuum the residue after it is dries.

*Shine pennies by soaking them for a couple of hours in a glass bowl of undiluted vinegar.

*Make a spray for your shower of equal parts water and vinegar to keep soap scum and hard water stains from accumulating.

More hints and tips for Green Cleaning coming in Part 2 and Part 3 of this post!