20 Green, Easy and Frugal Cleaning Tips for the Busy Homemaker
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Are you looking for easy ways to clean without reaching for that chemical-laden bottle? Join me as I share 20 of the best green and eco-friendly household cleaning tips and ideas that give you great bang for the buck. There are some old favorites and some new discoveries but all of them clean without harming the environment and actually, save you some money as well.
1. An old favorite, mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle or two. Keep handy to clean mirrors, countertops, toddler toys and more.
2. Put a bowl of water in the microwave. Add a few slices of lemon. Run for a minute or two. The steam will loosen stains and splatters while the lemon will deodorize it. Wipe clean.
3. For stubborn stains in the microwave or oven, use a paste of baking soda and water. Apply. Leave it on for a few minutes. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
4. Hang dry or line dry your laundry. Not only will you be saving energy, you’ll also get mild stains out thanks to the natural bleaching action of the sunlight.
5. Sprinkle salt on oven spills, while they’re still fresh and warm. Mop up with a damp cloth.
6. Repurpose old t-shirts, bed and table linen into cloth dusters. Clean easily without using paper.
7. Rub half a lemon or some lemon juice on acidic food stains left behind on plastic containers. Let it dry in the sun. Wash as usual. Voila, stains gone!
8. Lemon juice becomes a great green cleaning agent when mixed with salt. Use it to scour copper and brass items and make them shine easily.
9. Remove stains from plastic chopping boards by squeezing lemon juice onto them. Let it stand for 20-25 minutes. Rinse.
10. Buff and shine stainless steel surfaces with some olive oil and a soft cloth.
11. Olive oil mixed with the juice of a lemon makes a great natural furniture polish. Use a soft cloth to rub it in.
12. Get rid of that fishy smell from your hands by rubbing some lemon juice onto them. Wash as usual.
13. Keep your hands clean and soft by using a natural “soap” made from some baking soda and water. Check out Care 2’s tip on baking soda for hands and other things.
14. Borax is a great stain remover and eco cleaner, especially for the toilet bowl. Pour into bowl. Let it stand overnight. Next day, swish with a toilet brush and flush.
15. Clean the toilet bowl and get rid of those ugly rings by pouring undiluted vinegar. Let it stand for a while before using the toilet brush on it.
16. Unclog and clean drains by pouring hot water down them every now and then.
17. For an more effective drain cleaner, pour a cup of vinegar down the drain and then, after about half an hour or so, flush with cold water.
18. Polish chrome faucets in the bathroom or kitchen with a dab of toothpaste (the non-gel variety) and then, buff them with a soft cloth.
19. Keep glassware clean and free of scratches by sprinkling a soft cleaning pad with salt and then, scrubbing away.
20. Finally, plain water is often an effective way to clean. You don’t need chemical or commercial cleaners to mop up juice spills or countertops. Water is good.
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