[lilmissmars]

Here is the list where we will place all of our enviro friendly cleaners etc.
If you have something to add you can PM it to me or post it at the bottom and Ill add it to the list.
If anyone wants to leave comments on any of the products, just post or PM me telling me what product and exactly what you want me to post as your comment on it and Ill add it.
Also if anyone has links etc we can work them in here as well.

Chemical Free Cleaners for your home:

Kitchen
Oven Cleaner (Midwitch)
mix together 1/4 c baking soda and 2T salt, hot water to make a thick paste. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Keep off elements and wires.

Oven Cleaner (Midwitch)
2 T liquid soap
2 t borax
1 qu warm water. Spray on oven and wait 20 minutes.

Oven/Stovetop Cleaner (Mumofive)
I use DRY bicarb on the tiles directly to remove grease and grim and if its a little mouldly add some citric acid to it! THen I spray vinegar ( cleaning vinegar we get in a 20L container as we live in the country) on it and it fizzes up and then I wipe it clean.

Microwave Cleaning (~Chelsea~ Courtesy of “How clean if your house”)
Fill large microwave safe bowl with water, cut a lemon into quarters and put in water. Microwave this on high for around 5 mins (might need longer depending how big the bowl is)
Then all of the grime and yucky stuff will be loosened by all the steam the boiling water has created and the lemon makes it smell nice and fresh. Just wipe it down with a damp cloth and you’re done!

Bathroom/Toilet
Disinfectant (Midwitch)
1/4 c borax
1/2 gal hot water
Add teatree oil for smell

Toilet Cleaner (Midwitch)
pour 1/4 c baking soda into bowl then drizzle with vinegar. Let sit for 1/2 hour then scrub and flush. Add borax for stains.

Toilet Cleaner (Mumofive)
I flush the toilet but turn off the water so it doesnt fill up! I then pour in about 500ml of vinegar once a month ( this is the BIG CLEAN) and then bicarb it and scrub it. Three times a week I just add bicarb and scrub then a little vinegar round the rims and then flush!

Mildew Remover (Midwitch)
dissolve together: 1/2 c vinegar, 1/2 c borax in warm water. Spray on or use sponge.

Laundry
Fabric Softener (Midwitch)
add one cup vinegar or 1/4 cup baking soda during final rinse.

Washing Powder (Groovy Granny)
2 1/2 ounces soap bars, grated into flakes (Approx. a half a bar of soap)
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda

Put into a food processer until well belnded.
Use 1 table spoon per wash.

General Cleaning
Household Cleaner (Midwitch)
1 tea spoon liquid soap
1 tea spoon borax
squeeze of lemon
1qt warm water

Household Cleaner (Midwitch)
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup vinegar
1 gallon water.

Window Cleaner (Midwitch)
2 t vinegar
1 qt warm water

Window Cleaner (Midwitch)
2 table spoons borax
3 cup water
Rub dry with coffee filters

Drain Cleaner (Midwitch)
pour together 1/2 c borax in drain followed by 2c boiling water.

Drain Cleaner (~Susan~)
Pour down a decent amount of bi-carb, then boil the kettle.. so its ready and hot!
then pour down about a cup of vinegar and it will all fizz and bubble, then when the fizz goes down pour down a kettle full of boiling water, then boil again and pour a second kettle of boiling water down it.

Air Fresheners (Midwitch)
-find source of smell and eliminate; keep house and closets well ventilated, simmer cinnamon sticks, orange peel and cloves; burn orange peel in your fire.
Add 15 drops of essential oil to warm water and spray around room. To absorb odours place 4 T baking soda or vinegar in small bowls in fridge or around house. Pour baking soda in the bottom or rubbish bins.

Upholstry Cleaner (Midwitch)
sprinkle cornmeal, baking soda or cornstarch on and vaccum when dry.

Floor Cleaner (Midwitch)
1/2 c white vinegar
1 gal warm water.
Polish with skim milk after washing will make it glow.

Flea Bath (Midwitch)
spray your pet/rub mix on fur: either lavender or eucalyptus oil in water. It kills the fleas and repels them for several weeks. Sprinkle borax on your floors to get rid of eggs, vacuum well.

This post has been edited by Therese: 13/10/2008, 12:50 PM

[Guest_dixiebelle_*]

Wow, go Chelsea! That's an awesome list... will BBL with my input, and to check out others ideas... Thanks!

[wilding]

Was going through old journal entries of mine online and came across this in my memory section. These were from Body & Soul magazine but i got these from http://www.livejournal.com/community/naturalliving

Natural mold & mildew fighters

Tea Tree Oil Spray
Tea Tree Oil is a broad-spectrum fungicide and proves to be one of the best natural solutions for getting rid of mold and mildew.
2 teaspoons tea tree oil*
2 cups water (preferably distilled)

Combine ingredients in a spray bottle, shake to blend and spray on problem areas. Let dry, then wipe down the area. For carpets, add tea tree oil to the water in a steam cleaner (two teaspoons per every 1/2 gallon) or spot clean with the spray.
*Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but will dissipate in a few days.

Grapefruit Seed Extract Spray
Not as powerful as Tea Tree Oil, but it has the advantage of being odorless.
20 drops grapefruit-seed extract
2 cups water

Repeat steps listed above.

Peroxide Tile Whitener and Spray
Safer and less corrosive than bleach, hydrogen peroxide is a nontoxic, natural whitener.
1/2 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
1 cup water

Repeat steps listed above, but discard after use. Hydrogen peroxide loses its potency when exposed to air.

This post has been edited by wilding: 16/04/2007, 06:52 PM

[Miss~Behaved]

Ok... I'm new to this whole 'enviro friendly' thing... so this is my first addition... hopefully it won't be my last.

Home Made Dishwashing Gel

Ingredients:
* 1/4 cup Pure Soap Flakes
* 2 Cups Boiling Water
* 1/4 Cup Glycerin
* 1/2 Teaspoon Lemon/Citrus Essential Oil

Directions:
* Pour soap flakes into a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Stir until the soap flakes dissolve.
* Cool to luke warm and then add the Glycerin and Lemon Oil and leave to cool.

As it cools it will form a loose gel. Stir with a fork and break up the gel and then pour into a narrow-necked bottle. An old shampoo bottle or clean dish liquid makes an excellent container.

Use sparingly. You only really need a teaspoon or two at a time as it's fairly soapy and sudsy.

I found it works really well, especially on heavily soiled items like fry pans and pots and it's gentle on the hands as well because of the glycerin.

Glycerin can be found in the supermarket in the personal health aisle.

** IMPORTANT NOTE **

This is for use in the kitchen sink, it doesn't work at all for dishwashers! Please do not use in the dishwasher!!!

[wilding]

I got this recipe for homemade furniture polish from greenissexy

Mix 2 parts olive oil to 1 part lemon juice. Use an old pair of undies or a partnerless sock to apply mixture to end tables, book shelves and the rest of your wood furnishings. This blend smells great and adds a beautiful glow! Mix a little too much? Soak a dust cloth in the leftover serum, wring it out and store in a mason jar for a quick, ready to go furniture polish wipe.

[NewLifeDirection]

Loads of cleaning recipes on

Baby Steps Resources

too.

ETA - You can link directly to the Cleaning Product Recipes here.

This post has been edited by TheGoodLife: 04/09/2008, 12:40 AM

[JustSmileAndNod]

Can I please add one? I was using commercial kettle cleaner but used vinegar and it worked much better!

Just add half a cup of vinegar to a full kettle, and boil. Rinse. If it is stubborn, soak overnight (but don't forget otherwise your morning coffee will be interesting!).

[mrsclothmama]

Some great tips there! Thanks! For the microwave one if you dont' have a lemon the stuff in a bottle still works really well!

[supernova09]

Amazingly helpful thread Me and my girlfriend have just moved into our first house and aren’t too knowledgeable when it comes down to house cleaning and remedies. This thread will become our home page: P as we will have to maintain our house and keep it clean so our son can grow up in a healthy and clean environment. All of these cleaning tips/remedies will also save us a lot of money staying clear of the cleaning industry giants. Massive thanks again.

[mandy2]

Some great tips and with those normal ingredients you will be able to save money as well. Going green can actually be good for your money.

Thanks for posting this list