Grab your bucket, mop and sponge and get ready to clean your way into spring. Use some of the recipes for alternative cleaning products featured in our last Simple Green Ideas post and get ready to tackle those tough cleaning jobs you’ve been putting off until the windows could be opened wide.
Dishwasher - 1 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 cup baking soda - run through an empty dishwasher cycle
Counter top - several tablespoons vinegar in warm water (vinegar evaporates leaving a fresh smell and no soap residue) - use scouring powder or soft scrub for tough stains (see recipes in SGI#5)
Microwave - 1/2 lemon in 1 cup water - turn on high for few minutes then wipe off sides of oven
Oven - set the oven temperature on warm for 15 minutes then turn off, pour 1/4 cup of ammonia into a shallow glass dish and fill with water, leave in the oven overnight, wipe the inside of the oven in the morning (be sure to have adequate ventilation when opening the oven door) - for stubborn spots, leave a paste of baking soda and water to sit for 15 minutes then scrub off - for oven doors, sponge on a mixture of 1 cup vinegar with 1/2 cup soda and 4 tablespoons ammonia, wipe off after 10 minutes
Drains - once a week, pour in 1/2 cup salt with 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar, wait 15 minutes then flush with boiling water
Showerhead - tie a plastic bag or use a bucket to hold vinegar in which to soak the showerhead
Grout - sponge on vinegar, let sit few minutes, scrub with an old toothbrush
Toilet - sprinkle with 1/4 cup baking soda then 1/4 cup vinegar, brush clean
Silver - line basin with aluminum foil, lay silverware in pan, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 tablespoon salt, pour over 1 quart boiling water, polish silver with a soft cloth
Chrome appliances, glass and mirrors - try a little cider vinegar, a little ammonia with warm water or baking soda with a soft cloth
Windows - wash with soap and water, rinse with vinegar and water
Carpets - blot stains with vinegar and soapy water - to deodorize carpets, sprinkle with baking soda before vacuuming
Hardwood floors and woodwork - mix 1/4 cup vinegar in 1 gallon warm water, mop, rinse, dry
Furniture - use mayonnaise on a soft cloth, or mix 1 part lemon oil with 2 parts vegetable oil or mineral oil - to remove heat or water marks, try a little mayonnaise or a mix of baking soda with non-gel toothpaste, buff gently, wipe clean
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