Recipes for a Healthy Home

Recipes for a Healthy Home

Cleaning product companies tell you that to keep your home clean and smelling fresh, you need to rely on an army of cleaning and air care products. Sprays, wipes, powders, liquids and more are sold with the promise of improving your home and your health by removing dirt and germs.

What companies are not telling you is that cleaning products can contain toxic chemicals that may harm your health. Manufacturers often recommend frequent and repeated use of their products, but this also translates to frequent and repeated exposures to potentially harmful chemicals. You may inhale these chemicals by breathing indoor air and some of them can be absorbed through the skin. Long-term exposures to certain
chemicals found in household cleaners have been linked to serious health problems like pregnancy complications, breast cancer, birth defects, asthma and allergic reactions.

Some simple natural items can deal with the majority of household cleaning tasks. These products are already in most kitchens and are very inexpensive. When preparing your own  cleaning products, make only what you need and make sure that they are in containers that are clearly labeled.  Here are some easy, effective and inexpensive recipes and tips for healthy home cleaning and maintenance. The cleaners are safe for you and the environment and can save you money.

1. ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER
3 tbsp. white vinegar
½ tsp. washing soda
½ tsp. vegetable oil based liquid soap
2 cups hot water
Mix ingredients in spray bottle or bucket. Apply and wipe clean.

2. FLOOR CLEANER
For greasy, no-wax floors:
1 cup white vinegar
¼ cup washing soda
1 tablespoon vegetable oil-based liquid soap
2 gallons hot water
Combine all ingredients, stirring well to dissolve the washing soda. Mop as  usual.

3. WOOD CLEANER
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. white vinegar
¼ cup lemon juice
Mix ingredients. Using a soft cloth, rub into the wood, in the direction of the grain.

4. DRAIN CLEANER
For slow drains, use this drain cleaner once a week to keep drains fresh and clog-free.
½ cup baking soda
1 cup white vinegar
1 gallon boiling water
Pour baking soda down drain/disposal, followed by vinegar. Allow the mixture to  foam for several minutes before flushing the drain with boiling water.

5. OVEN CLEANER
2 tbsp. vegetable oil based liquid soap
2 tbsp. borax
Mix the soap and borax in a spray bottle. Fill the bottle with hot water and shake well. Spray on oven and leave for 20 minutes. Scrub off.

6. DISINFECTANT
2 tbsp. borax
¼ cup vinegar
2 cups hot water
Combine the borax and vinegar with the water in a spray bottle. Use as you  would any commercial all-purpose cleaner.

7. FURNITURE POLISH
1 lemon
1 teaspoon olive oil (least expensive)
1 teaspoon water
This polish should to be made fresh each time you use it. Extract the juice from the  lemon. Mix with oil and water. Apply a thin coat on your wood surface and let sit for 5 minutes. Use a soft cloth to buff to a deep shine.

8. LAMINATE FLOOR CLEANER
For engineered wood and no-wax floors.
½ cup white vinegar
1 gallon warm water
Mix ingredients. Avoid overwetting the floor by using a spray bottle to apply the mixture to the floor. Mop as usual (microfiber mops work best).

9. REFRIGERATOR CLEANER
2 tbsp. baking soda
1 quart warm water
Dissolve baking soda in water. Use to wipe all surfaces inside and out. For stubborn spots, rub with baking soda paste. Be sure to rinse with a clean, wet cloth.

10. GARBAGE DISPOSAL CLEANER
1 cup ice
used lemon or orange rind
To eliminate garbage disposal odors and clean and sharpen blades, grind ice and rinds until pulverized.

11. NON-ABRASIVE SOFT SCRUBBER
¼ cup borax
vegetable oil based liquid soap
½ tsp. lemon essential oil
In a bowl, mix the borax with enough soap to form a creamy paste. Add lemon oil and blend well. Scoop a small amount of the mixture onto a sponge, wash the surface, then rinse well.

12. PLUMBING FIXTURE CLEANER #1
Use to clean stainless steel, chrome, fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain or enamel fixtures.
2 tbsp. baking soda
1 quart water
Dissolve the baking soda in the water.
Wipe on fixtures then rinse.

13. TOILET BOWL CLEANER
1 cup borax
½ cup white vinegar
Flush to wet the sides of the bowl. Sprinkle the borax around the toilet bowl, then spray with vinegar. Leave for several hours or overnight before scrubbing with a  toilet brush.

14. NO-STREAK GLASS CLEANER
¼ cup white vinegar
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1 quart warm water
Mix the ingredients and apply with a sponge or pour into spray bottle and spray on.  For lint-free results, wipe dry with crumpled newspaper, buff to a shine.

15. GARBAGE CAN DEODORIZER
1 cup baking soda
1 tsp. tea tree oil
Mix together in a small bowl, working out all the lumps with a fork. Sprinkle the mixture in the bottom of the trash can after the liner is removed. Periodically rinse container with white vinegar and dry in the sun.

16. PLUMBING FIXTURE CLEANER #2
Hard lime deposits around faucets can be softened for easy removal by covering the deposits with vinegar-soaked paper towels. white vinegar  paper towels .Soak paper towels in vinegar and leave them on surface. Wipe clean after about an hour.

17. FRAGRANT KITCHEN CLEANSER
2 tbsp. white vinegar
2 pints water
4 drops essential oil (lavender, tea tree oil, lemon, lemongrass, or rosemary)
Combine ingredients in spray bottle and use as a final rinse after cleaning kitchen surfaces. Store in a cool, dark place.

18. MIRROR & WINDOW POLISH
For sparkling glass.
cornstarch
water
Mix together cornstarch and water to make a paste. Use a soft cloth to apply the paste  to the mirror. Rub gently then wipe clean with a soft cloth.

19. TUB & TILE CLEANER
white vinegar
baking soda or non-iodized salt
To remove film buildup on bathtubs, apply vinegar full-strength to a sponge and wipe. Next, use baking soda or salt as you would scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge and  rinse thoroughly with clean water.

20. COPPER & BRASS CLEANER
Not for use on lacquered finishes.
lemon juice
salt, non-iodized
cornstarch
Mix equal parts of salt and corstarch with lemon juice to make a paste. Apply to surface with a soft rag. Rub gently. Rinse with warm water and mild dish soap. Dry with a soft cloth.