Green Cleaning Part 3

Borax, a naturally occurring mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen and water. Those are the ingredients in 20 Mule Team Borax.

Borax, or sodium borate, is a naturally occurring alkaline mineral first discovered over 4000 years ago. It is found in large quantities in the Western United States as well as in the Tibet area of China.

Borax has no toxic fumes and is safe for the environment. Borax can irritate skin and should not be ingested.

Borax is an all natural disinfectant, deodorizer and bug repellent. It is not harmful to washing machines, plumbing or septic tanks. Does not contain phosphates or chlorine.

Here are some ways to use Borax in your every day household jobs:

In the laundry:

*Add 1/2 cup of Borax to each wash load along with the recommended amount of detergent. For large capacity and front-loading machines, add 3/4 cup.

*For stains, add 1/2 cup in washer. Pre-soak for at least 30 minutes before washing.

*Got hard water? Borax works great as a water conditioner, helping your detergent to work more effectively. Add 1/2 cup of Borax along with your regular laundry detergent. You'll get clean, fresh smelling laundry.

*For Delicate Hand Washables just dissolve 1/4 cup of Borax and 1 - 2 tablespoons detergent in a basin of warm water and soak them for 10 minutes. Rinse in clear, cool water, blot with a towel, lay flat (woolens) or hang to dry (away from sunlight and direct heat).

*For diapers and baby clothes, flush out diapers and begin soaking immediately, using 1/2 cup Borax for each diaper pail of warm water. Follow soaking with warm wash, using the "regular wash" instructions above.

In the kitchen:

*For fine china, rinse in a solution of (1/2 cup in a sink full of warm water). Designs on hand-painted china will not fade using this method. Give china a second thorough rinse with clear water.

*To clean cookware, sprinkle Borax on pots and pans as you would a dry cleaner and rub with a damp dishcloth. No need to worry about scratching, Borax is not abrasive. Rinse thoroughly.

*To clean and deodorize your refrigerator, use a solution of 1 qt. warm water and 1 tablespoon Borax and wipe clean with sponge. Spilled food is easily washed away. Rinse with cold water.

In the bathroom:

*In the shower, tub and on tile, wash with a solution of Borax and warm water or sprinkle on a sponge or soft cloth as you would a powdered cleanser. Borax is non-abrasive and can be used on even fiberglass surfaces without scratching.

*To clean toilets, sprinkle 1/4 cup Borax into bowl. Scrub with toilet brush and let sit for 15-20 minutes before flushing.

Other uses around the house:

*For carpet spills and stains, blot up spill, sprinkle on Borax to cover area, let dry and vacuum. For problem stains try the wine and alcohol directions below.

*For wine and alcohol stains, dissolve 1/2 cup of Borax in a pint of water. Sponge in the solution, wait 1/2 hour, then shampoo the spotted area. Let dry and vacuum. These are tough stains and your chances of success are better the sooner you treat them.

*For cleaning floors and walls, fill a bucket with about 1 gallon of warm water. Add about 1/3 cup Borax. Add 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent. Mix in about 1 tablespoon vinegar.

*To remove urine odors from mattresses, dampen the soiled areas with water. Sprinkle borax over the areas. Rub the borax over the areas, working into mattress well. Let dry. Vacuum or brush off any remaining borax powder.

*Use as an all natural scouring powder by putting borax into a container alone or mix 1/4 cup Borax and a 1/4 cup baking soda. Baking soda is also non-abrasive.

*As a safe and all-natural roach killer, mix equal parts powdered sugar and borax in a bowl. Sprinkle in cracks along walls and under cupboards. Keep away from children and pets. Repeat as necessary for one to two weeks until all roaches have died.

Well, there you have it! In Part 1 we learned about the household uses for distilled white vinegar and in Part 2 we learned how to use baking soda in our every day household chores. Combine those two ingredients with 20 Mule Team Borax and you may never buy those commercial cleaning products ever again! I know I'm sold!

Green Cleaning Part 2

Baking Soda, Sodium Bicarbonate, is an excellent tool for cleaning! It is non-abrasive, odorless and contains no harmful chemicals! There are many uses for baking soda besides in cooking!

*Keep a box or small bowl of baking soda in the refrigerator, freezer, or any cupboard and it will keep away unpleasant odors.

*Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your garbage pail to keep away garbage odors.

*Grease fires can be put out by sprinkling them with baking soda.

*To remove stale smells from food containers, rinse out with hot water and baking soda. If the smell persists, let the container soak overnight in the baking soda and water mixture.

*To clean silver, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to one part water. Rub the paste onto each item, then rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.

*To remove scuff marks or grease spills from the floor, sprinkle with baking soda and then wipe with a warm, damp cloth. This is even safe for no-wax floors!

*For burnt-on food in the bottom of pots, sprinkle with baking soda, then add hot water. Let soak overnight; the dried on food will come loose much more easily.

*To remove stubborn stains from most surfaces, use a baking soda paste (3 parts baking soda, one part water). Apply, let stand, then scrub or wipe clean.

*Hairbrushes and combs can be cleaned in a baking soda solution.

*To avoid clogged drains, pour 1/4 cup baking soda down weekly, followed by white distilled vinegar. Watch it fizzle and then rinse with hot water.

*To remove odors from a carpet, sprinkle with baking soda. Let stand for at least fifteen minutes, then vacuum. Repeat as needed.

*If there is a smoker in the house, put baking soda in the bottom of each ashtray to keep away some of the stale smoke smell.

*Baking soda in the litterbox will help prevent odors.

*To quickly clean pets and remove "wet dog" odor, sprinkle with baking soda and brush out their fur.

*To help remove spills, blot as much as possible. Then clean as you normally would. When finished, sprinkle with baking soda. Vacuum. This will decrease the chance that some of the spilled item will remain in the carpet and cause unpleasant odors later.

*Replace half of each measure of laundry detergent with baking soda to keep clothing fresh.

*To remove stains from clothing, wet spot and sprinkle baking soda on the stain. Rub in and then spray with vinegar. Let it fizzle and then throw it in the wash as usual.

*Pretreat diapers in their pail with baking soda. This will keep odors from becoming overpowering between washings.

*If you keep a laundry hamper, add some baking soda every day to keep the hamper from smelling between emptyings.

*To remove burnt food from the grill, sprinkle with baking soda, then soak. After several hours, the charred pieces will come loose easily.

*Lawn furniture can be easily cleaned with a rinse of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart warm water.

*The children's pool can be cleaned and have mildew removed by washing with baking soda in warm water. For tougher jobs, add vinegar to the rinse.

*Before packing away your camping gear after a trip, sprinkle with baking soda.

Coming - More Green Cleaning information in Part 3

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!