GREEN CLEANING
Eco-Friendly household products

The following eco-friendly household products are easy to make and can be made from simple ingredients (many of which can be purchased in the bulk section of our store). Their relative purity make them better for your home environment and for the planet.

GENERAL PURPOSE CLEANERS
ROOM DEODORIZER
a quick and easy tip: set out a container of baking soda, cedar chips, cinnamon, and cloves in your room.

DRAIN CLEANER
Apply a little elbow grease and use a plunger followed by 50 ml of baking soda and 125 ml of vinegar. Let sit 15 minutes, then rinse with boiling water. A plumber's snake can also be used. The best alternative is prevention-insert a screen into the drain and avoid flushing hair down the toilet.

DUST CLEANER
Combine 50 ml white vinegar and 1 liter of water. Apply with a soft cloth.

GLASS CLEANER
Combine 30 ml vinegar and 1 liter of water.

CARPET SPOT CLEANER
Apply club soda immediately, blot dry, and repeat. Sprinkle with cornmeal and vacuum after 30 minutes.

KITCHEN CLEANERS
AUTOMATIC DISHWASHING DETERGENT
Combine 250 ml borax with 125 ml baking soda. Works reasonably well and is phosphate free.

BRASS AND COPPER POLISH
Make a paste with lemon juice and baking soda. Rub on with a soft cloth, then rinse well and dry.

TO REMOVE BURNED-ON FOOD
Dampen spot slightly and sprinkle well with baking soda. Leave overnight and scrub clean with a plastic scrubber.

BATHROOM CLEANERS
BASIN, TUB AND TILE CLEANER
Sprinkle surfaces with baking soda or borax. Scrub with a dampened sponge.

GROUT, MOLD AND MILDEW CLEANER
Wipe surface with a cloth dipped in white vinegar and scrub tile grout with an old toothbrush to remove old growth and prevent new infestation.

GLASS GLEANER
In a spray bottle combine one part vinegar to one part water. Spray on glass or mirrors and wipe dry with a rag or crumpled newspaper.

LAUNDRY CLEANING PRODUCTS
LAUNDRY DETERGENT
Use soap flakes or non-phosphate detergent. If clothes are heavily soiled, add 125 ml borax to the soap.

STAIN REMOVER
Scrub with a paste made from soap flakes and warm water before washing.

FABRIC SOFTENER
Add 50 ml white vinegar to the final rinse cycle.

LIVING ROOM CLEANING PRODUCTS
CARPET CLEANER
Sprinkle cornstarch on dry carpet (it absorbs dirt and grease). Wait five minutes then vacuum thoroughly.

CARPET DEODORIZER
Combine 500 ml cornmeal with 250 ml borax and sprinkle on the carpet. Leave for 15 minutes or longer, then vacuum.

FURNITURE POLISH
For wood that is stained, varnished, or painted: wipe with olive oil and dry with a clean cloth. For varnished wood: combine 30 ml olive oil with 15 ml white vinegar and 1 liter water in a spray bottle. Spray wood lightly then dry with a clean cloth.

Adapted from "Eco-friendly Household Products" in The Steep Hill News, June 1995, Steep Hill Co-op, Saskatchewan, Canada.