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A Clean Sweep
Tips and Tricks for Quick Cleaning By Kelly Burgess
People are becoming increasingly concerned about the level of toxins in the cleaning products they use, and rightfully so. Not only are some cleaners bad for people, they're bad for the environment as well. Mindy Pennybacker, editor of The Green Guide, a newsletter devoted to providing responsible environmental and health information, says that the most common misconception people have about cleaning is that they somehow have to sterilize their homes when they clean, and that simply isn't true.
"Antibacterial soaps and cleaning products are helping promote growth of resistant bacteria," Pennybacker says. "It's also quite a bit more expensive to use commercial products than to use products that work just as well and are already in your cupboards."
Below is a list of items you'll need to make your own cleaners, as well as a few "recipes" for people- and environment-friendly cleaning products:
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- White vinegar (kills germs as well as any chemical)
- Washing soda (in laundry soap aisle)
- Bon Ami cleanser (in powdered cleanser aisle)
- Clean squirt bottles
To make glass cleaner: In spray bottle combine 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon dish detergent or liquid soap and 2 cups water. Shake well.
To make all-purpose cleaner: In spray bottle, combine 1/2 teaspoon washing soda, a squirt of liquid soap and 2 cups hot tap water. Shake until washing soda dissolves.
To make a soft scrubbing cleanser: Use baking soda mixed with dish soap to a creamy texture. This is great for washing counters and tubs.
Also, for cleaning floors, toilets or any surface, an equal mix of white vinegar and hot water will kill germs very efficiently. Add baking soda for a scrubbing action. Essential oils can be added to any of the above "recipes" to make them smell good.
Robbie Rice knows everyone has cleaning challenges, but she's doing something to address the problem. This mom, who lives in Dayton, Ohio, has been collecting cleaning tips for quite some time. She posts them on her Web site (kitchen.robbiehaf.com/CleaningTips.html
