Recipe's for Safe Household Cleaning

By Joan Inong

Spring is on its way, and with it, spring cleaning. Purchasing household cleaners can be as daunting a task as is actually cleaning the house, especially if you're prone to allergic reactions to the chemicals. Not to mention that those chemical cleaners can be pricey, and pose poisoning dangers to young children. But you're not out of luck – you can use common household items to create your own safe, non-toxic cleaners. You'll save time and money, and you'll keep the kids out of harm's way.

Baking Soda
Baking soda is known to be a common cleaning agent, and it will hold true for many of your cleaning chores. All you have to do is turn the baking soda into a paste. Just mix it with enough water, warm or cold, to form a paste with the consistency of very soft toothpaste. Use it to clean your toilet (bowl and seat), kitchen counters, and any other area which seems grimy or dusty to you. You can also use it to wash your dishes. If you have a clogged drain as a result of grease, pour equal amounts of salt and baking soda down the drain, then run the hot water.

Lemon Juice
Buy some packaged "real" lemon juice or if it's in season, squeeze some of your own. Dilute it with the same amount of water. Pour into a spray bottle or use a scouring pad with the lemon juice to clean your tile floors, kitchen counters, shower doors, windows, etc. The refreshing smell adds to this cleaner's usability.

Vinegar
Add vinegar to your dilution of lemon juice to add to its acidity. Use the same as with plain lemon juice. Choose distilled white vinegar so it doesn't stain. Vinegar disinfects and is great at picking up dust. Use one part white vinegar to two parts water.

Oil
You can use any fragrant oil to clean your wooden furniture or hardwood floors. Use very small amounts and wipe up the excess with a dry towel. You can also emulsify some oil and lemon juice together. The lemon juice helps break up the oil so that you won't get a lot of residue on your floors.

Rubbing Alcohol
Dilute one part rubbing alcohol with two parts water. Use the same way as the lemon juice and vinegar. Rubbing alcohol can clean stainless steel sinks and fixtures.

Soda
Want to see your windows sparkle so much that birds might just try to fly through them? Use any type of club soda in a spray bottle. You can also dilute it to your liking. Wipe up the excess quickly using a dry rag or hand towel.

These are just some of the basic ingredients to make your cleaning concoctions. Mix and match any of these mild products and you'll be cleaning your house safely and efficiently!

04/04/08  By Joan Inong