In This Issue
Editorial
Homemade Cleaners Lists
Want to make a household cleaner?
Want to make Disinfectants?
Fragrant Kitchen Rinse
Spot-free Dishwasher Rinse
Furniture Polish and Scratch Covers
Warning: Borax / Boric Acid Caution
Editorial
This issue of Elements is dedicated to green cleaning, we are all guilty of being unmotivated and just getting on with each day with toxic cleaners in tow to keep your home and family clean and safe. Put those store bought cleaners away and let's work with natural homemade produts that don't poison our families. It's time to get Green. We are going to give you a brief lists of ingriendients as well as some recipes for cleaning solutions, and the rest is up to you, we are giving you the tools to get started.
"The day, water, sun, moon, night - I do not have to purchase
these things with money - Plautis
Vinegar - If you haven't heard about the wonders of Vinegar crawl out from under the rock and start using it what we have in our cupboards. Vinegar cuts grease, removes stains, can take the smell of urine out of laundry and can soften water.
Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate): An all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner. Cleans, deodorizes, removes stains and softens fabrics.
Lemon Juice: Cuts through grease and removes perspiration and other stains from clothing.A bleach alternative.
Want to make a household cleaner?
1) Vinegar and Salt. Mix together for a good surface cleaner.
2) Baking Soda. Dissolve 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart warm water for a general cleaner.
3) Baking soda on a damp sponge. Baking soda cleans and deodorizes all kitchen and bathroom surfaces.
4) Use liquid castile soap and baking soda or Borax in different ratios. Use a little soap and soda/borax with lots of water on floors, walls and counters. Use more soap, soda/Borax for tubs sinks, cat boxes, anything that can be well rinsed.
5) For a general, all-purpose cleaner, try a paste made from baking soda and water or mix salt and water with a little vinegar.
6) 3 tbsp. vinegar, 1/2 tsp. washing soda, 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil based liquid soap, 2 cups hot water. Mix ingredients in spray bottle or bucket. Apply and wipe clean.
Source: Online Source Link No Longer Active
Want to make Disinfectants?
1) Regular cleaning with plain soap and hot water will kill some bacteria.
2) Borax has long been recognized for its disinfectant and deodorizing properties. Mix 1/2 cup Borax into 1 gallon hot water or undiluted vinegar and clean with this solution.
3) Mix a half-cup of borax with 1 gallon hot water. Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme, rosemary or lavender. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and cool. Or add essential fragrant oils instead of fresh herbs. Store in a plastic spray bottle.
4) 2 tablespoons borax, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 cups hot water. Combine the borax and lemon juice with the water in a spray bottle. Use as you would any commercial all-purpose cleaner.
5) Isopropyl Alcohol is an excellent disinfectant. Sponge on and allow todry. Use in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves.
Source: Online Source Link No Longer Active
Fragrant Kitchen Rinse
Use any of the following essential oils, alone or in a combination pleasing to you. Add 4 drops of oil to each pint of water. Pour into a spray bottle, store away cool dark place. Use as a final rinse after cleaning kitchen surfaces. I usually use a scent that depicts the time of year etc. at Yule time i use Wintergreen, in the Summer i use Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon etc. Not everyone will like the below scents so use your imagination.
Eucalyptus
Pine
Lavender
Cypress
Lemon
Lemongrass
Lime
Thyme
Grapefruit
Orange
Wintergreen
Rosemary
Sage
Spot-free Dishwasher Rinse
Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse compartment of your automatic dishwasher. Wash dishes as usual, i would defintely do this at least twice a month, if you wash a lot of grimy / greasy dishes then i would do it once a week.
Furniture Polish and Scratch Covers
1) This polish should to be made fresh each time you use it.
1 lemon
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon water
Extract the juice from the lemon. Mix with oil and water.
Apply a thin coat on your wood surface and let sit for five minutes. Use a soft cloth to buff to a deep shine.
2) Use 3 parts light mineral oil and 1 part olive oil and a drop of lemon juice.
3) Use a little olive or lemon oil and some beeswax.
4) Hide wood scratches by rubbing with the meat of a walnut.
5) Use a soft cloth and wipe with a bit of mayonnaise.
6) Rub furniture with a cloth dipped in cool tea.
7) Mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice. Apply mixture to furniture with a soft cloth and wipe it dry.
8) 1/8 cup linseed oil, 1/8 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup lemon juice. Mix ingredients, using soft cloth, rub into wood.
9) To remove water stains on wood furniture, dab white toothpaste onto stain. Allow the paste to dry and then gently buff off with a soft cloth.
Source: Online Source Link No Longer Active
CAUTION: Boric Acid and borax can be toxic to small children and pets, keep well out of their reach and inform other household members of the whereabouts and purpose of the borax and boric acid dough and/or powders. Always refer to safety precautions on the package.
WAU Elements #7 is due out in September 08
