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General cleaners

Sustainable living  ›  Green cleaners  ›  General cleaners General cleaners

These recipes for safe and simple all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaner, disinfectants and hand cleaners can help you save money and protect your family and the environment.

All-purpose cleaners

Mix ingredients for each recipe in a spray bottle. Use for cleaning countertops, floors, walls, carpet and upholstery.

1. Dissolve 4 tablespoons baking soda in one quart of warm water.
2. Add 1/2 cup vinegar to between 1 cup and 1 quart of warm water.
3. Combine 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil-based liquid soap and 3/4 cup warm water. Shake to blend. For really big jobs, combine 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, 1/4 cup vegetable oil-based liquid soap and 2 gallons of warm water in a pail and stir to blend.

For an abrasive cleaner, use baking soda or a non-chlorinated scouring powder such as Bon Ami.

Grease cleaner

Mix vinegar and salt together for a good surface cleaner. This mixture will remove grease if the vinegar is at full strength.

Disinfectants

For kitchen cutting boards and bathroom fixtures, use a spray of distilled white vinegar followed by a 3 percent peroxide spray. Wipe clean.

Rubbing alcohol also is a disinfectant. It is extremely flammable; use in a well-ventilated area far from possible sources of ignition. Wear nitrile gloves. Apply with a sponge and allow to dry.

Glass cleaner

Combine 1 quart warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar or 2 tablespoons lemon juice (use both vinegar and lemon if you want the cleaning abilities of vinegar with the scent of lemons).

Mix ingredients and store in a spray bottle. Use as you would any glass cleaner (add a drop or two of essential oil for a pleasant scent).

Tip: Invest in a squeegee. It is a great tool for cleaning windows. A razor blade also is a good tool for scraping off dirt or paint before cleaning.

Crayon mark remover

To remove crayon marks from walls, floors, counters, cabinets and furniture, rub area with toothpaste and a damp cloth. Do not use on non-vinyl wallpaper.

Room/air freshener

After you locate the source of the odor problem and take corrective action, try opening a window and circulating air with a fan or air conditioner. If odors persist, try one of these ideas:

• Simmer cinnamon and cloves in water.
• Pour vanilla extract on a cotton ball and place in a small dish. Use in your car, home or refrigerator.
• Place cut lemons or baking soda in a dish.
• Set out a dish of vinegar or boil 1 tablespoon white vinegar in 1 cup of water to eliminate unpleasant cooking odors.

Hand cleaners

To remove heavy grime combine 4 ounces of beach sand, 1 ounce of pumice powder and enough glycerin to moisten the mixture in a labeled screw top jar. Use about 1 tablespoon at a time, rubbing into the hands thoroughly.

Hand wash disinfectants

• The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes soap as a legitimate disinfectant. There are many vegetable-oil-based soaps available at supermarkets and health food stores.
• Tea tree oil is antibacterial and antifungal. Add 10 drops of tea tree oil to 4 ounces of liquid castile soap. Shake to stir or blend in a pump container.