Part of the movement towards green living involves learning new techniques to clean your home, car or business without using potentially harmful or toxic cleaning agents. The concept behind green cleaning is that you can use environmentally friendly substances and materials to clean safely and effectively. There are a number of different methods you can use when cleaning green.
In the Bathroom
Combine baking soda and liquid castile soap to create a safe, natural bathroom cleaner for faucets and fixtures. For a clogged drain, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1/2 cup white vinegar into your sink or shower, and let it sit for five to 10 minutes. Flush it with hot water to get rid of minor clogs. To clean your toilet bowl, pour in 1 cup of borax, and let it sit overnight. Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar for extra-stubborn stains.
In the Kitchen
To clean a dirty oven, mix baking soda and water until it forms a paste. Apply the paste to the oven, and let it sit for approximately 15 minutes. You can then use a steel wool or scouring pad to remove the heavy buildup. You can also combine baking soda and liquid soap to scrub dirty countertops. You can safely mop linoleum floors with a mixture of 1/2 cup of white vinegar with a bucket of warm water. Use equal parts white vinegar, table salt and water to restore the shine to copper-coated pots and pans.
Doing the Laundry
You can increase your detergent's cleaning power by adding 1/2 cup of baking soda at the beginning of the wash. Use cold water whenever possible, and only use hot water for items that truly need it. Rather than using the dryer, hang clothes outside to dry in the sunshine in warm weather or inside on a drying rack. To keep your washing machine clean, you can run it once a month with just vinegar and hot water. Avoid dry cleaning and dryer sheets, as they can potentially contain hazardous chemicals.
Windows and Mirrors
The easiest and greenest way to clean windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces is to fill a spray bottle with tap water and a 1/4 cup of white vinegar. Use old newspaper instead of expensive paper towels. A bucket of warm, soapy water works well for cleaning outdoor windows, and you can use a squeegee to remove the excess water.
Natural Air Freshener
There are several ways you can freshen the air in your home naturally. Combine 1 tsp. of white vinegar or lemon juice with 1 tsp. of baking soda and 2 cups of hot water. Mix the ingredients together, and store in a spray bottle to freshen up any room. Houseplants are also a great way to filter out harmful air pollutants in your home. Consider adding a fern, spider plant, chrysanthemum or English ivy for a breath of fresh air.
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