This is my favorite spray cleaner. It does a great job and makes my appliances all shiny!
To create this marvelous solution combine the below ingredients in separate container. I usually use a Tupperware type container.
1 teaspoon borax
2 tablespoons of vinegar
1/4 teaspoon vegetable-oil based liquid soap
2 cups of very hot water
When mixed pour into a spray container and use.
You can combine the ingredients in the spray bottle as well.
Combine the borax, vinegar, and liquid soap in a spray bottle. Add the very hot tap water, shaking the bottle gently until the minerals have dissolved. Spray onto the area to be cleaned and wipe off with a sponge, cotton rag, (my fav), or paper towel.
For the Floor:
In a bucket or pail combine:
1/8 cup borax
1/8 cup washing soda
1 tablespoon vegetable - oil based liquid soap
1/4 vinegar
2 gallons hot water
Place the ingredients in a pail. Stir to dissolve. Use sponges or your mop as usual.
Warning: Because the washing soda is slightly caustic, use gloves to avoid the solution from coming to in contact with your skin.
Clean Hands Are Key!
Washing your hands several times as day is essential to staying well this holiday season. It all begins with the spreading of germs. Washing your hands with common soap is still the best practice to keeping the germs off of you. You can also us a water-less gel based alcohol solution such as Purell or similar. I make it a habit to keep some in my purse and desk at work. I also offer some to anyone and everyone when they are nearby.
Take these steps to stop and avoid the spreading of germs.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough with a tissue and then throw it away. Then wash your hands.
- Clean you hands often
- Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth
- Stay at home when you are sick
- When available wash your hands with soap and warm water. Wash for 15 -20 seconds. It is the combination of soap and scrubbing action that dislodges and removes the germs.
- When soap and water is not available. Reach for the alcohol based gel sanitizers. Rub your hands together until they feel dry. The alcohol kills the germs that cause colds and flu's.
- When you are sick stay home and rest. You are sparing others and co-workers from germ exposure. Keeping your distance from others will keep them from catching your flu or cold.
Common flu symptoms to look for:
- fever ( high)
- headache
- extreme tiredness
- cough
- soar throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle aches
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
Fireplace Cleaning: Tis' the season! Nontoxic!
This is always a messy task but its necessary to clean your fireplace. I personally try to do it annually. The brick get so sooty and dirty. Not only does it look bad the black residue the fire leaves can catch on fire as well. Which can lead to a house fire.
What you need:
I go to the market and buy a green abrasive scrubbing sponge. The rougher the better. You can also purchase a brush. A generic hand size brush with medium to hard bristles is perfect. I also grab a couple of jugs of white vinegar and a set of dish washing gloves.
At home I then dilute the white vinegar with water in a separate bowl or Tupperware container that will not be used for food. This container should be large enough to to dip my sponge or brush in the solution completely. The ratio should 1/4 quarter cup vinegar to 3/4 water.
The Method:
Clean all loose particles out of the fireplace with a broom and dispose of them. I usually spread them out in my garden or around the base of a tree or shrubs. The carbon in the soil acts as a fertilizer. If you just throw them out they are safe for the landfill as well. (Throwing the ashes in the landfill just isn't my first choice for disposal.)
With my gloves on I will start at the top of the bricks and start scrubbing horizontally. The excess solution will run down the lower parts of the brick wall. My towel should be at the bottom of the brick wall to collect the excessive fluid and splatters.
After scrubbing all the brick walls on the inside of the fireplace dump your cleaning solution and get a fresh container of just water.
Wash or rinse the fireplace walls ( that you previously scrubbed with vinegar) with water. You can use your brush to apply the rinse water.
Let air dry!! Do not use the fireplace to start a new fire until the bricks are dry. This is because we want the water to evaporate out of the bricks completely. If there is water still in the bricks they can crack when they are heated by the fire.
You will need:
1> Scrubbing gloves
2> White vinegar
3> Water
4> Rough Scrubber (green) or Medium Scrub brush
5> Two containers ( large enough for your scrubber or brush)
6> Old Towel ( to throw out or wash)
7> Wear old clothes (that you don't mind staining)
Cleaning Hint:
**The rougher sponges in general are usually green. It seems to be consistent amongst the sponge industry.
Approximately Time Needed:
-This depends on the size of your fireplace. For a standard fireplace it will take up to 45 minutes to clean and wash.
Annual Cleaning Required
Dirty Job Level:
Four Sponge Award!
You will get dirty! Wear old cloths.
What you need:
I go to the market and buy a green abrasive scrubbing sponge. The rougher the better. You can also purchase a brush. A generic hand size brush with medium to hard bristles is perfect. I also grab a couple of jugs of white vinegar and a set of dish washing gloves.
At home I then dilute the white vinegar with water in a separate bowl or Tupperware container that will not be used for food. This container should be large enough to to dip my sponge or brush in the solution completely. The ratio should 1/4 quarter cup vinegar to 3/4 water.
The Method:
Clean all loose particles out of the fireplace with a broom and dispose of them. I usually spread them out in my garden or around the base of a tree or shrubs. The carbon in the soil acts as a fertilizer. If you just throw them out they are safe for the landfill as well. (Throwing the ashes in the landfill just isn't my first choice for disposal.)
With my gloves on I will start at the top of the bricks and start scrubbing horizontally. The excess solution will run down the lower parts of the brick wall. My towel should be at the bottom of the brick wall to collect the excessive fluid and splatters.
After scrubbing all the brick walls on the inside of the fireplace dump your cleaning solution and get a fresh container of just water.
Wash or rinse the fireplace walls ( that you previously scrubbed with vinegar) with water. You can use your brush to apply the rinse water.
Let air dry!! Do not use the fireplace to start a new fire until the bricks are dry. This is because we want the water to evaporate out of the bricks completely. If there is water still in the bricks they can crack when they are heated by the fire.
You will need:
1> Scrubbing gloves
2> White vinegar
3> Water
4> Rough Scrubber (green) or Medium Scrub brush
5> Two containers ( large enough for your scrubber or brush)
6> Old Towel ( to throw out or wash)
7> Wear old clothes (that you don't mind staining)
Cleaning Hint:
**The rougher sponges in general are usually green. It seems to be consistent amongst the sponge industry.
Approximately Time Needed:
-This depends on the size of your fireplace. For a standard fireplace it will take up to 45 minutes to clean and wash.
Annual Cleaning Required
Dirty Job Level:
Four Sponge Award!
You will get dirty! Wear old cloths.
As the Fur Flies..
I love animals! Do to my inclination I have two cute cuddly pups and one totalitarian ruling cat. This time of year it is a fur festival around here! I'm am not sure why but my puppies tend to shed like crazy this time of year.
The husky puppy (as pictured) is always into trouble in addition to her compulsive shedding. Her fur is like little daggers about 2 inch long. They intertwine in the threads of any textured fabric.
The "GREENest" method I have found to remove the ultimately annoying and social disgraceful furry tag-alongs has been with a damp cloth. Preferably a wash cloth that has some texture to it. Brush the damp wash cloth over your area of your clothes where the fur is attached. It also seems if your wiping motion is perpendicular to the weaving of the fabric. The wetness acts as a sticky cloth to the fur. The furry Tag-alongs will adhere to the wash cloth and be gone from your clothes.
The Traditional Method:
I have found a good roll of duct tape works better than any lint brush or roller. Remove a 6 to 8 inch piece of tape and fold it backwards around your hand and reattach it to the roll. The sticky side should be on the outside with your hand wrapped inside the tape loop. I then apply the tape to my clothes and I'm clean and out the door.
(FYI: The husky in the picture decided the electric bill was worthy of her destructive tendencies. I agree with her:) ) "No animals were harmed or even disciplined." She is just too cute.
Lets Keep it Handy!
So, way back when my mom use to use cotton cloth diapers on me when I was a child. (Yes, the 70's were great! It was a dirty chore to was them all! ICKY!)Although the fad of 100% cotton diapers has faded there is a new use for them. I have always used them with all of my cleaning companies. It is 99.9% impossible to damage any and all of your surfaces when you clean
using these diapers.
I specifically us (brand new) adult diapers I purchase from EBay. You can purchase them in a smaller measurement size as well. I have a great contact. Email me for a link. This seller is great!
I use these to wipe down all my surfaces. One for each type of cleaning product. These clothes can also be used with the Swiffer floor sweeper. Instead of buying new cloths for it I just attach a cotton rage and spray whatever cleaner I want to use!
I choose adult diapers because they are larger and up to "SIX" ply. Six layers of absorbent and industrious layers of cotton. For my own personal use I sew two zig zag seams across the center of each one. I cut them in half at this point and wash them in the washer with soap and a little bleach. (As in image above) They usually need a wash and dry on high to make them as soft and absorbent as possible.
These are great! I never buy paper towels or those Handy wipes. I keep them handy in every room and just throw a bunch of dirty one's in the washer and they are brand new!
The benefits are numerous! I save the environment and land fills of limitless used paper.
Welcome to my site!!
I love to clean and clean using green cleaning products. Most of them I make myself. I have owned a janitorial company in New York for many years. I've used traditional cleaning products like the rest of us. I have no major complaints with traditional cleaning products. They do a great job but some are toxic and as we all know expense to replace. I still have a top - notch collection of my particular favorites:)
This blog will focus on cleaning your home and creating products that are friendly for the environment and you. Feel free to ask questions, leave comments or just contact me.
This blog will focus on cleaning your home and creating products that are friendly for the environment and you. Feel free to ask questions, leave comments or just contact me.
CLEAN MEAN! CLEAN GREEN!
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