Pauline is a retired teacher with 27 years experience teaching English to high school students. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Language Arts and a Master of Education Degree. Now retired, she writes for eHow, Demand Studios, Bright Hub, and Helium. She has awards writing fiction including a published story with Women on Writing.
Natural cleaning products are better for the environment instead of commercial products. However, there are a number of environmentally friendly products. If you prefer to use all natural products, they are in your home. You use them everyday for cooking and cleaning. These products are cost-efficient and easy to use once you gather them and learn how to clean with them.
Basic Products
Isopropyl alcohol, not only removes skunk odor, it disinfects, cleans the air, and helps keep windows streak free. Vinegar deodorizes the sink, cleans the windows, removes mildew, and stops colors from running. Lemon juice deodorizes, too. It also removes stains and cleans brass and copper. Baking soda is necessary to absorb odors in the refrigerator. It also softens fabrics, polishes metals, and removes odors from plastic containers. Borax deodorizes, prevents mold, and cleans the laundry. You can use cornstarch to polish furniture.
Combinations
Deodorize the air with three parts distilled water, one part isopropyl alcohol, and ten drops of essential oil. Mix and put into a spray bottle. Clean the counter tops with one cup of white vinegar and one cup of water. Mix and put into a spray bottle. Clean your windows with one cup of isopropyl alcohol, one cup of water, and one tablespoon of white vinegar. Use lemon juice instead of vinegar for a nice smell. For an all-purpose cleaner, mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 1/4 cup of baking soda, and 1/2 gallon of water in a pail. Clean your carpet with equal amounts of white vinegar and water. Clean your toilet with 1/4 cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar. Polish your furniture with a paste of cornstarch and water.
Considerations
If you want to purchase commercial products that are natural and environmentally safe, they are many on the market. Clorox has a line of products called Green Works, which came out in January 2008. Seventh Generation has a product called Free and Clear, which is free of dyes and fragrances. Sun and Earth has been making natural cleaning products for over twenty years. Mia Rose uses citrus products for their cleaning aids. My Cleaning Products are convenient because they deliver to your home. Costco sells a line of natural cleaning products called BabyGanics. Target and Lowe's has an all purpose cleaner called Method.
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