Natural Cleaners

We have been phasing out old cleaning products and swapping them out for better green products.  Sometimes you have to try tons of products until you find what you like, and we are going to keep track as we go of pro's and con's of each new item we try out. BUT, it got me thinking why on earth am I not trying out the plain 'ol natural remedies in the sampling! Here are some ways we are going to test out some easy cleaning solution with pantry items.

VINEGAR (Distilled White Vinegar)

Inhibits mold growth, bacteria such as E.coli and salmonella.

Clean With Vinegar where??? 

Coffee Maker: Pour equal parts water and vinegar into the water chamber.  Put the coffee maker on "clean" or "regular" if there is no clean cycle- they do the same thing.  Halfway threw the cycle turn it off and let it sit for ~1hour and then continue the cycle.  Run the coffee maker with plain water a couple of times after to make sure no residue surprises you in the AM.

Dishwasher: Just like the coffee maker except you place 1/2 cup of vinegar into the reservoir and run an empty cycle.  No need to re-run the cycles afterward.  Wanna get sparkling glasses?  When washing stemware in the sink add 1 cup of vinegar to the rinse water.

Drains: Do you know how bad drano is for our pipes and water supply???? Hmmm, Let's think about how there is nothing but forums about poisoning yourself by drinking it... BUT it must disappear by putting it down the drain right? WRONG!  All you need is some

distilled white vinegar to pour generously down the drain. Wait about 30 minutes, then flush down with cold water.

Floors: As long as you don't use it on wood or marble pour 1/4 cup vinegar to a bucket of warm water to clean floors.

Window Spray: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 cups water, and a squirt of liquid castile soap in a spray bottle.  Best results if you spritz and wipe with newsprint.   Dr. Bronner's Soap is my favorite when choosing a liquid castile soap.  I have fond memories of camping along the Appalachian Trail and using it for every use under the sun!

OTHER TIPS: Pour Vinegar into a plastic bag/ sandwich bag and secure to the shower head with a rubber band overnight to combat mineral deposits.  Mineral deposits on your Iron?  Fill iron with equal parts water and vinegar into the iron and run it for a bit pressing the steam button.  Once cooled empty the iron and rinse before pressing garments. Moldy walls no more with a direct spritz and wiping + thorough cleaning after 15minutes.

Baking and Washing Soda

Cuts through grease and grime

*Make sure if you are using Washing Soda to wear rubber gloves*

 Where???

Stained Tea Cups and Coffee Mugs:  Fill with 1 part baking soda and 2 parts water and soak overnight; rub down and and rinse. An alternative is sprinkling salt (the coarser the better) to the outside of a lemon peel and rub until clean.

Grill /BBQ Utensils and Garden tools: Dip a stiff bristled brush into water then into washing soda and scrub everything away effortlessly.  ***Make sure to not use washing soda on aluminum however*** This above technique can be used on your garden tool. Scrub with the paste, rinse, then set your tools out in the sun to dry.  If your tools are rusty you can brew a huge batch of strong black tea to cool, and soak your tools in.  Wipe with gloved hands and a cloth after letting them sit for a few hours.