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Treat Your Home to an Environmentally Friendly Cleaning |
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Written by Joey Pebble
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Purchasing household cleaning supplies can be costly at times. If you have small children or pets, safely storing them can also be a challenge. Read on to learn about some natural substances that clean just as effectively, are cost effective, and don't have a negative impact on the environment!
Most of these supplies can be purchased at the local grocery store for about $20 or less. A bottle of white vinegar, natural sponges, a box of baking soda, a bottle of olive oil, a few lemons, and an ounce or two of essential oil (choose one with a pleasant aroma!) will get you started.
You may have to shell out a little more, and stop at a health food shop or cooperative market to purchase liquid soap that is made organically from plants. However this extra stop will be well worth your time. That is because cleaning with this soap is much easier on your skin, and your eyes, than commercial cleaning products.
To clean your bathroom or kitchen, mix baking soda with soap. Take the sponge and scrub. The gritty paste made by the soap and baking soda does an excellent job of scrubbing away soap scum and bathroom dirt.
To clean mirrors and windows, mix a small amount of vinegar (1 to 2 tablespoons) in a cup of water. Wipe or spray this mixture onto the glass surface, and dry with a washcloth or rag (clean, discarded white cotton socks are excellent for this purpose). You'll be amazed at how clean and streak-free that glass appears!
To clean linoleum or tile floors, add a small amount of soap and vinegar (about 2 tablespoons each) to a gallon of water. To help lessen the vinegar odor, add several drops of essential oil. If you have wood flooring, use a combination of vinegar and olive oil instead; never use water to clean wood floors.
If you find any mold or mildew in the bathroom or basement, spray or wipe on vinegar. Mix in a few drops of essential oil to lessen the odor. Allow this to dry, and then wipe the area clean with a disposable cloth. If the mold continues to be a problem, you may want to seek expert assistance for removing it.
Do you enjoy the clean-smelling scent of pine floor cleaner or the fresh lemon scent of furniture polish? Each of these scents is available as an essential oil. Add them to your natural cleaning solutions to reduce the strength of the vinegar odor.
Alternatively, you can buy special accessories that plug directly into an electrical outlet, and spread the familiar, comforting scent throughout your house. Enjoy the familiar fragrance - without unnecessarily exposing yourself or your family to harsh chemical cleaners.
These are just a few of the environmentally friendly cleaning supplies you can make with everyday household items. Share these tips with your family and friends; they'll appreciate learning your newfound household secrets! Avoid the pitfalls of being environmentally toxic, and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that your house is clean and chemical free!
This article was provided courtesy of the artists and designers working at PebbleZ - The Unique Stone Home Furnishing Store. The writing and research was done by Joey Pebble, one of the staff designers for PebbleZ
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