natural cleaning, or how I learned to stop worrying and love baking soda
A few months ago, my local free weekly paper ran an article on natural cleaning methods. I already use environmentally-friendly cleaning products from companies like Seventh Generation, products that are biodegradable, vegetable- rather than petroleum-based, and use nonchlorine bleach; they're nontoxic and relatively icky-chemical-free. They're also relatively expensive. The article I read was about getting back to even more basic basics: baking soda, vinegar, borax.
I tried some of the suggested cleaning solutions when I was doing pre-WisCon spring cleaning, and was very happy with the results. (renenet got an earful of my newfound enthusiasm for baking soda on several separate occasions.) So I thought I'd pass along the information for those of you who are interested in hearing about cheaper and/or less-toxic cleaning options. (These may especially appeal to people with children and/or pets, as well as to ecogeeks.)
basic supplies
basic cleaning solution
In a spray bottle, mix two or three tablespoons of baking soda with a pint of water; add a few drops of essential oil if you like. Shake to dissolve.
vinegar
Vinegar kills bacteria, mold, and germs, and as such is a great disinfectant for sponges and cutting boards. Because it's acidic, it also helps dissolve grease. Plain old 5% acidity vinegar, used straight, will take care of most quick cleaning needs; keep it in a spray bottle, or just splash some on a sponge. The smell is pretty strong, but dissipates quickly.
countertops
Spray basic cleaning solution on countertops and wipe down with a rag or clean sponge. Follow with a clean water or vinegar mist from a different spray bottle (baking soda does leave a slight gritty residue) and wipe again.
grease build-up, kitchen sink, etc.
Make a paste of approximately equal parts baking soda and water (since this is non-toxic, you can do it in pretty much any old bowl or container). Apply generously with a sponge and leave for a few minutes; wipe off and rinse afterwards with plain vinegar. Personal testimonial: this simple solution took literally years of disgusting grease build-up off my kitchen cabinets and is the experiment that converted me to my newfound devotion to baking soda.
tub and tile
It's easiest to mix this right in the sink: 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1/2 cup borax; add a few drops of essential oil if you like. **Remember to wear gloves when using borax!** Wipe down tiles and tub with the mixture; use a little extra baking soda right on the sponge for problem spots. Be sure to rinse the whole tub area really well afterwards; you don't want borax residue in your eyes the next time you shower. A plain vinegar spray-and-wipe every now and then between major cleanings helps stave off mildew.
toilet
Add a cup of borax (and a few drops of essential oil, optional) to the toilet bowl; let sit for an hour or so before scrubbing with toilet brush.
floors
Mix 1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) vegetable-based liquid soap with 1/2 cup vinegar and add 2 gallons warm water; add a few drops of essential oil if you like (and if the soap is unscented). Mop as usual; sprinkle a little baking soda directly on bad stains and other problem spots. Rinse afterwards with clean water.
dishwasher detergent
Mix equal parts baking soda and borax; fill dispenser and wash as usual. Note: apparently this solution sometimes leaves glassware slightly dull, although I've never had a problem with it; in any case, it's nothing that a quick re-rinse before putting away won't solve.
oven
Spray the bottom of the oven with the basic cleaning solution. Sprinkle baking soda generously over that (if you've got an electric oven, be sure to avoid the coils!) and spray again. Let sit for several hours. The baking soda will probably be brown and spectacularly gross. Swipe it all up with a sponge (don't waste a nice new one, though) and then finish it off with a plain vinegar rinse.
further resources
Debra Lynn Dadd, Home Safe Home
Annie Berthold-Bond, Clean and Green
I tried some of the suggested cleaning solutions when I was doing pre-WisCon spring cleaning, and was very happy with the results. (renenet got an earful of my newfound enthusiasm for baking soda on several separate occasions.) So I thought I'd pass along the information for those of you who are interested in hearing about cheaper and/or less-toxic cleaning options. (These may especially appeal to people with children and/or pets, as well as to ecogeeks.)
basic supplies
- sponges and/or scrub-sponges
- spray-nozzle bottles
- baking soda
- borax (a natural anti-fungal)
- white vinegar
- liquid soap (I used Dr. Bronner's peppermint because I had it handy, but the unscented castile's probably a better or at least more flexible choice)
- rubber gloves (borax is environmentally safe, but it's harmful to skin as well as eyes)
- optional: essential oils with "clean" smells and antiseptic/antibacterial properties: grapefruit, tea tree, clove, lavender, rosemary
basic cleaning solution
In a spray bottle, mix two or three tablespoons of baking soda with a pint of water; add a few drops of essential oil if you like. Shake to dissolve.
vinegar
Vinegar kills bacteria, mold, and germs, and as such is a great disinfectant for sponges and cutting boards. Because it's acidic, it also helps dissolve grease. Plain old 5% acidity vinegar, used straight, will take care of most quick cleaning needs; keep it in a spray bottle, or just splash some on a sponge. The smell is pretty strong, but dissipates quickly.
countertops
Spray basic cleaning solution on countertops and wipe down with a rag or clean sponge. Follow with a clean water or vinegar mist from a different spray bottle (baking soda does leave a slight gritty residue) and wipe again.
grease build-up, kitchen sink, etc.
Make a paste of approximately equal parts baking soda and water (since this is non-toxic, you can do it in pretty much any old bowl or container). Apply generously with a sponge and leave for a few minutes; wipe off and rinse afterwards with plain vinegar. Personal testimonial: this simple solution took literally years of disgusting grease build-up off my kitchen cabinets and is the experiment that converted me to my newfound devotion to baking soda.
tub and tile
It's easiest to mix this right in the sink: 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1/2 cup borax; add a few drops of essential oil if you like. **Remember to wear gloves when using borax!** Wipe down tiles and tub with the mixture; use a little extra baking soda right on the sponge for problem spots. Be sure to rinse the whole tub area really well afterwards; you don't want borax residue in your eyes the next time you shower. A plain vinegar spray-and-wipe every now and then between major cleanings helps stave off mildew.
toilet
Add a cup of borax (and a few drops of essential oil, optional) to the toilet bowl; let sit for an hour or so before scrubbing with toilet brush.
floors
Mix 1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) vegetable-based liquid soap with 1/2 cup vinegar and add 2 gallons warm water; add a few drops of essential oil if you like (and if the soap is unscented). Mop as usual; sprinkle a little baking soda directly on bad stains and other problem spots. Rinse afterwards with clean water.
dishwasher detergent
Mix equal parts baking soda and borax; fill dispenser and wash as usual. Note: apparently this solution sometimes leaves glassware slightly dull, although I've never had a problem with it; in any case, it's nothing that a quick re-rinse before putting away won't solve.
oven
Spray the bottom of the oven with the basic cleaning solution. Sprinkle baking soda generously over that (if you've got an electric oven, be sure to avoid the coils!) and spray again. Let sit for several hours. The baking soda will probably be brown and spectacularly gross. Swipe it all up with a sponge (don't waste a nice new one, though) and then finish it off with a plain vinegar rinse.
further resources
Debra Lynn Dadd, Home Safe Home
Annie Berthold-Bond, Clean and Green