green house cleaning methods

7/28/2019 Green House Cleaning Methods

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Green Clean Home

The Basic Kit

Borax

This a naturally occurring mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen and water, solublewater. It can deodorize, inhibit the growth of mildew and mould, remove stains, and ca

even be used with attractants such as sugar to kill cockroaches or ants. It is a greatalternative to bleach as it ionically removes dirt and oil.

Deodorising - sprinkle into the dustbin or onto carpets before vacuuming. Use to clean plitter trays and in drains.

Mould and mildew - use in areas where mould is a problem to remove and inhibit new

growth, such as the bathroom tiles, damp walls, in the refrigerator or on clothes left too

long after washing

Stain removal - Use as a pre-soak for laundry, to scrub the draining board, or to remov

stubborn marks from kitchen surfaces and hard floors.Hydrogen Peroxide 3%

Hydrogen peroxide is a naturally occurring substance. ordinary water is H2o whilst

hydrogen peroxide is H2o2 carrying an extra oxygen atom per molecule. This happenswhen ozone gas, (o3) is created in the atmosphere during electrical storms and dissolves

into rain water. H2o2 is a natural oxidiser, that is it scavenges oxygen from othersubstances that are more weekly formed. Oxidation is a vital process in the breakdown o

organic substances, what we call, for the benefit of this article as 'stain removal'. H2o2 is

also a powerful bactericide, for the the same reason of its oxygen scavenging properties.Many Bacteria, mycelia, and viruses need oxygen to live, not only as a gas in the

environment, but also as part of the makeup of other mediums. H2o2 removes oxygenfrom their environment and thus halts their life cycle. H2o2 has therefore many health

enhancing properties, and can be used for bleaching, stain removal and bacterialcidalcleaning. As a note, and discussed elsewhere on our site, H2o2 is produced when honey i

used on skin abrasions, hence its healing benefits!

Use freely around the home, just be careful to test surfaces and fabrics for colorfastness.remember H2o2 is an oxidising agent (bleaching agent)

Caution: Hydrogen peroxide is available in different concentrations commercially from 3%

to 35%. 3 and 4% is usually safe for cleaning purposes where there will be moderate

exposure to skin membranes. ON NO ACCOUNT USE 35% as this is very powerful and wilseverely attack skin membranes. Do not handle this product unless you are competent anequipped to dilute it safely.

White distilled vinegar

This an inexpensive cleaner, good for removing stains, removing hard water deposits,

shining glass, windows and most metal surfaces. It can also remove mildew and deodoriz

Removes taints and smells left by cooking also fantastic for cleaning hard surfaces.


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Removes grease. It Softens and prevents static in the laundry.

Vinegar contains about 5 percent acetic acid, which makes it a mild acid. It is normallyused in a solution with water, but it can be used straight.

Stain removal - mix just a couple teaspoons of white vinegar with hot water to clean ha

floors and work surfaces. You can add a few drops of essential oil if you don't like the smeof the vinegar, although it dissipates in a few minutes.

Hard water deposits - leave in the toilet bowl overnight or on the kettle to prevent the

build up of lime scale.

Shining glass, mirrors and windows - use neat with a soft cloth for very dirty glass

Deodorising - pour a cup down the drain and allow it to sit for half an hour.

Bicarbonate of Soda - (Baking soda)

Sodium bicarbonate. It is extremely versatile as an all-purpose, non-toxic, non-abrasivecleaner. It cleans, deodorizes, scours, polishes and removes stains.

Cleaning : Baking soda causes dirt and grease to dissolve in water, so it is very effective

cleaning kitchen work surfaces, ovens, saucepans and the bathroom.Deodorising : as a deodorizer it actually eliminates odours rather than just covering the

up. Use in the refrigerator, on carpets, upholstery and on vinyl Sprinkle baking soda onyour carpet before vacuuming to eliminate food and pet odours. It can help deodorize

drains.

Scouring : Baking soda itself is non-abrasive, but coupled with the action of a scouringsponge or some fine steel wool, it will remove the most stubborn of stains from all types

surfaces.

Polishing : It can clean and polish chrome, plastic, porcelain, silver, and stainless steel.

Stain removal : from sinks, work surfaces and china / porcelain. For stubborn coffee

stains in cups, sprinkle baking soda on the stain, wipe with a damp sponge, and rinse.

It also softens fabrics and removes certain stains. Baking soda can be used as

toothpaste, too.

After using on any surface, rinse well with hot water to remove the white,powdery residue.

Liquid Castile Soap

This is probably the purest form of commercially available soap you can buy. It has no

colouring, SLS or scents.

Fresh lemons

Lemons are, yes, well, acidic! They are also antibacterial, and bring a pleasing aroma to

your home. Lemon juice can be used neat to break down grease, or in dilution to freshenand cleanse.

Caution: Don't get lemon juice your your eyes, it will sting. Also protect broken skin, it


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wont be harmed, but it will smart for a time!

Jojoba or olive oil

Oils are very penetrating, thus they are useful for breaking down substances like glue, gu

and tar. Oil also acts as a 'solvent for other oil stains, diluting their colour and viscosity.

Part of a multistage process in some cases. These oils have wonderfully nourishingproperties for wood as well, and in time build up a protective coating - don't use neat

though, or the oil will attract dust and marks.

Essential oils of lemon, lavender orange and Tee tree

the above Essential oils have very concentrated properties: a strong scent, and powerful

antibacterial effects. they are an effective easy way of enhancing your cleaning products.

Washing soda

Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is also known as soda ash, and it can be found in thelaundry section at the supermarket. It has many uses besides being a laundry booster; it

also neutralizes and eliminates odours, and is a wonderful heavy duty cleaner, acting as a

excellent substitute for powerful solvents.

Washing soda can peel wax off floors, and it isn't recommended for aluminum, so only us

on surfaces such as unpainted wood, glass or stone, that won't be harmed.

Plastic spray bottles

A convenient device for applying home made cleaners. Use the garden variety with anadjustable spray nozzle that has a 'closed position' for safety of storage. Obviously, mark

up your bottles carefully with permanent pens on waterproof abels.

Recipes for cleaners:

In the kitchen

Dishwashing liquid

i) Mix 10floz liquid Castile with 10 drops essential oils (a mix of 3 lavender,1 tee tree, 2

orange and 4 lemon is good)

ii) Use juice of half lemon and 1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda in a bowl of hot water, there wibe no bubbles, but your dishes will be clean!

iii) Much of the time, if you wash up straight after preparation and eating, you can simplyuse hot water, with no need for any detergent, unless there is heavy grease to break dow

Automatic dishwasher powder

i) 2 tbsp bicarbonate of soda and 2 tbsp borax per load


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Sink cleaners

i) Use neat bicarbonate of soda with a sponge scourer and rinse well

ii) Mix 1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda with a little water to make a paste, use this to scrub the

sink and rinse well

iii) Mix 1/2 cup bicarbonate of soda, 1/8 cup white distilled vinegar, 2 drops lemon essentoil, 1 drop tea tree essential oil and 2 drops lavender essential oil. Use with a scouring

sponge and rinse.

iv) Place 1/2 cup bicarbonate of soda in a bowl, add enough liquid castile soap until you g

a frosting consistency and add 2 drops orange essential oil and 1 drop tea tree and 2 dro

lemon essential oil.

v) Use borax, sprinkled onto a cloth and rinse with hot water

Antibacterial kitchen surface / table cleaner

i) Combine 1-drop tee tree, 2 drops lavender, 3 drops lemon and 3 drops orange essentia

oil in a spray bottle. Top up with water and spray directly onto surfaces and wipe over wita cloth. Can safely be used near food and even on babies / children's hands before or afte

the meal!

ii) spray areas with a 3-5% solution of hydrogen peroxide and follow with a spray ofvinegar and water. (can be used on the hands or as a vegetable wash to neutralise

pesticides.

Multi purpose surface cleaner

i) Combine 1 tsp borax, 2 tbsp white vinegar, tsp cup (depending on preference)

liquid castille and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle. Shake well before use.

For cleaning greasy wares

mix: teaspoon washing soda 2 Tablespoons distilled white vinegar teaspoon liquidsoap 2 cups hot water

Chopping boards

i) Wipe over with the cut side of a fresh lemon to disinfect the board, or squeeze fresh

lemon juice over the board and wipe with a damp cloth.


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ii) I quote a friend of mine: 'I discovered by accident that if you leave a big piece of

pineapple on the board overnight, on top of a mouldy part of the board, it kills the mouldand removes the stain.'

Multi-purpose scouring powder

i) Combine equal quantities of bicarbonate of soda, salt and borax, and use on surfaces th

require extra cleaning.

Floor cleaner

i) To a large bucket hot water, add 2 tbsp white vinegar with 2 drops lemon essential oil

ii) Add 4oz borax to a bucket of hot water.

Oven and hob cleaner

i) Use neat bicarbonate of soda and a scouring sponge for the hob. In areas of bad grease

make a paste from water and bicarbonate of soda, rub over the surface of the hob andleave for a few moments before rinsing off with hot water.

For the oven, cover the base of the oven with a fine misting of water, sprinkle a layer of

bicarbonate of soda over the water so that you can no longer see the base of the oven anlightly mist it with water again. Allow to dry out and mist with water again. Leave over

night and in the morning scrape away the bicarbonate of soda and the grease. Rinse with

hot water to remove white residue.

ii) Combine 1 part vinegar with 4 parts water and place in a spray bottle. Spray onto cool

oven surfaces and scrub clean.

iii) Place 2 tsp borax, 2 tbsp liquid castile soap and warm water to fill a spray bottle. Sha

well to dissolve. Spray onto oven surfaces, leave for 20 minutes and scrub with steel woo

For tough areas on oven surfaces, use a razor blade to scrape off spills.

Laundry

i) Wash cycle - combine 2-3oz borax with 1 drop lemon essential oil.

Rinse cycle - 2oz white distilled vinegar with 1 drop lavender essential oil.

To boost stain removal, add 8oz of 3% Hydrogen peroxide to the wash cycle.


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To brighten clothes, add cup lemon juice to the final rinse cycle

ii) As a pre-soak for stain removal, add one tablespoon of borax per gallon of water or 4oin the washing machine and pre-soak for at least 30 minutes before washing.

iii) Laundry gloop Recipe; the alternative to detergent.

You will need:

A large tub capable of holding about 4 litres, with a good fitting lid (or a few smaller tubs

to store gloopA big pan

1 bar unscented white soap; something like Simple or a shop's own-brand sensitive skinsoap is suitable

1/2 cup washing soda crystals - usually on the cleaning aisle of the supermarket4 litres hot water

Optional:- About 20 drops of essential oil. Tea tree and lavender are probably the best

choices for reducing any risk of adverse reaction.

To Make

Put the water in the pot and bring to the boil.

Meanwhile grate the soap and once the water has boiled, add the soap and turn the heatdown.Stir until all the soap has dissolved.

Take off the heat and add the soda crystals stirring until they have dissolved as well.

Leave to cool until you can safely handle it, then decant into your tub(s) and add essentiaoils.

To use

Use about half a teacup for each load.

CAUTION

To avoid problems with the gloop and machine blockages:- It is HIGHLY recommended thyou put the gloop directly into the drum not the drawer. If the gloop sets hard, chop it int

small pieces so that it melts easier.Adding a a cup distilled white vinegar to the final rinse will also help prevent any

problems.

iv) Laundry Powder - a quick, easy alternative to making the gloop

Mix together:1 Cup Grated White Soap

1/2 Cup Washing Soda1/2 Cup Borax

For a light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons.

v) Fabric Softener

Mix together:2 Cups White Vinegar

2 Cups bicarbonate of soda


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4 Cups Water

The bicarbonate of soda and vinegar will fizz so combine them slowly and carefully over thsink.

Pour into a storage bottle, cover, and shake.

Use 1/4 cup in the final rinse.

vi) Another laundry powder, shared by a visitor to the site:

sieve and mix together:

a cup borax

a cup bicarbonate of soda

1 cup grated castille soap

Add a few drops essential oil of your choice. Store in an airtight container and use 1/2 cuper load

To freshen drains:

If you a nasty odour coming from your sink in the kitchen it will undoubtedly be your drai

needing a freshen up. Instead of filling the sewers with expensive commercial productssimply pour a cup of vinegar down the plughole. Let stand for 30 minutes and then flush

with cold water. It will deodorize it a treat. If you repeat this process every week the odoshould not return.

To prevent blocked drains

Washing soda is an excellent choice for helping drains stay clear because while it isalkaline-a pH of 11-it isn't as caustic and damaging as the commonly used lye-based

commercial product.

i)Ideally, use washing soda on your drains once a week to keep them clear. Just pour 1/4

cup or so down the drain, and then flush with water. Washing soda is found in the laundrysection of the supermarket.

ii) You can use baking soda instead by pouring 1 cup of baking soda down the drain,

followed by three cups of boiling water. The boiling water will change the chemicalcomposition of baking soda to become more alkaline like washing soda.

Blocked drains

i) Pour 1 cup bicarbonate of soda down the sink, followed by cup white distilled vinega

Cover tightly for one minute the chemical reaction between these two substances will


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create pressure in the drain and dislodge the obstruction. Rinse with plenty of boiling wat

ii) Pour cup salt and cup baking soda followed by lots of hot water. Plunge the sink

iii) pouring 1 cup of washing soda (or baking soda) down the drain followed by three cupsof boiling water. Repeat two or three times. If you still have a clog, try pouring down 1 cu

of vinegar. Being an acid, the vinegar will neutralize the washing soda or baking soda andthere will be some foaming and gurgling, but sometimes this agitation is all that is neede

in the end to dislodge the grime.

In the Bathroom :

Bath / Shower / Sink / Tile cleaner

i) Good old bicarbonate of soda again! Use it neat or mix into a paste with water and scruwith a scouring sponge. Works on the taps and tiles as well.

ii) Mix cup bicarbonate of soda, 2 drops lemon essential oil, 2 drops orange essential oand enough Castile to make a frosting consistency.

iii) use borax sprinkled onto a cloth as a scouring powder and rinse with hot water

iv) Mix 1 cup bicarbonate of soda with cup white vinegar in a small bowl.Rub on surfac

with a damp sponge, allow to work for a few minutes and rinse well.

v) mix 2 tsp borax, 2 tbsp white vinegar1/4 tsp liquid castille and 3-4 cups hot water in spray bottle.

vi) combine 1 2/3 cups bicarbonate of soda with cup liquid castile in a bowl and dilut

with cup water and 2 tbsp white vinegar in a bowl. Stir with a fork until the lumps argone. Place in a container with a squirt flip-top cap and shake well before each use. Rins

well after use either with hot water or a squirt of vinegar and water.

Window / mirror cleaner

i) Place cup white distilled vinegar, 2 cups water and teaspoon liquid Castile in a spr

bottle, and use with newspaper or a clean cloth to clean windows. Alternative quantities fthe mix are 3 tbsp vinegar, 2 cups water and cup liquid castile experiment to see

which formula suits you.

ii) For really dirty glass, use neat white distilled vinegar.

iii) For wiping over the bathroom mirror, use bicarbonate of soda mixed into a paste with

water. Rinse well.

Grout Cleaner

i) mix 3 cups bicarbonate of soda with 1 cup water into a paste. Scrub into the grout with

toothbrush and rinse with clean water.


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Mould and mildew

i) mix equal parts white vinegar and water, apply to the mould and wipe clean.

ii) combine 25 drops tea tree essential oil, 2 cups water and 3 tbsp liquid castille in a spra

bottle.

Toilet cleaner

i) Sprinkle a cup of bicarbonate of soda into the tank once a month, and allow it to stand

overnight before flushing, to deodorise the tank and bowl.

ii) Sprinkle cup of borax into the bowl, then swish with your toilet brush. Let it stand

overnight then flush.

iii) Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then add white vinegar and scour with a toilet bru

iv) Flush to wet the sides of the bowl, then pour in 1 cup borax and cup white vinegarand leave overnight. In the morning, scrub with the toilet brush.

v) For stains in the toilet bowl. Try a paste of lemon juice and borax.

Lime scale

i) Use neat vinegar in the toilet bowl, in the kettle, on bathroom tiles, around the taps to

eliminate lime scale. In areas like the toilet or kettle, leave the vinegar to work overnight

On tiles or taps, spray on vinegar and scrub with a soft scourer.

In the living room

Furniture polish

Wood

i) Combine 1/4 cup white vinegar with a few drops of jojoba or olive oil and 2 drops lemo

essential oil.

ii) Mix 3 parts olive or jojoba oil with 1 part lemon juice or white vinegar and one droplemon essential oil.

Leather:

i) mix cup olive oil with a few drops of lemon essential oil.


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Vinyl:

i) combine cup white vinegar, tsp liquid castile and water.

Wooden floor cleaner

i) Add 1/8 cup liquid castille, - cup white vinegar or lemon juice to 2 gallons warm

water

NOTE: two excellent ways to kill the house dust mite are to replace one drop lemon withone drop tee tree, or to 'damp dust': make an infusion of strong black tea, and use this to

'dust' surfaces in the home. The tannin in the tea is known to eradicate the house dust

mite, plus the action of damp dusting prevents the dust simply rising up and floating toanother place.

For more information on cleaning pee stains out of a mattress click here:http://houseofstrauss.co.uk/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=453

Alternative Special cleaning jobs

This next section includes a variety of cleaning jobs that (hopefully!) are not undertaken a daily basis! To this section, we introduce further ingredients:

Washing soda

Cream of tartar

Salt

Carbonated water

Lanolin

White wine

Coca cola and other household foods and herbs

Metal polishing

Cleaning silver

i) use baking soda and a clean, damp sponge. Make a paste of baking soda and water.

Scoop the paste onto the sponge, and rub the paste into the silver. Rinse with hot water

and polish dry with a soft, clean cloth. For badly tarnished silver, leave the baking sodapaste on the silver for an hour or so, before cleaning off with the help of the sponge and h

water.

ii) For cleaning silver put the items in a bowl with a handful of washing soda and some

aluminium foil cover the items with enough water to cover them. Make sure that all the
http://houseofstrauss.co.uk/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=453http://houseofstrauss.co.uk/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=453


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silver is touching the foil at one place or another. Take the silver out and rinse in hot wate

and dry thoroughly.

iii) Mix baking soda with lemon juice, and either let silver item stand in mixture for a minu

then wipe with a rag dipped in the mixture and you'll see an amazing shine. Or, if the itemto be cleaned is larger, no need to soak item, just rub with a cloth or rag that has been

dipped in

v) Boil silver 3 minutes in a quart of water containing: 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoosalt, and a piece of aluminum foil. Or, rub silver with a baking soda/water paste and a sof

cloth; rinse and polish dry. Or, rub with toothpaste. Use a toothbrush to clean raised

surfaces. Be careful not to scratch surfaces. Be gentle and use a light hand.

Cleaning brass

i) Most commonly used kitchen cupboard or refrigerator ingredients that contain a natura

acid, such as vinegar, Tobasco Sauce, ketchup, tomatoes, milk, and lemon or lime juice, w

remove tarnish. The tarnish washes away with an acid rub or soak. You might have toremove the lacquer cover if the brass is new. Do this by submerging the brass in boilingwater with a few teaspoons each baking soda and washing soda. Once the lacquer has

peeled off, polish dry.

ii) Mix 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 cup white vinegar with enough flour to make a paste. Applythickly. Let sit for 15 min-1/2 hr. Rinse thoroughly with water to avoid corrosion.

Cleaning Copper

i) Polish with a paste of lemon juice and salt.

Cleaning Chrome

i) Wipe with vinegar, rinse with water, then dry. (Good for removing hard water deposits.Or, shine chrome fixtures with baby oil and a soft cloth. (Good for removing soap scum of

faucets.)

ii) 3 tablespoons baking soda and water - Mix the baking soda and water to make a paste

Apply then rinse.

Cleaning Stainless Steel

i) Clean and polish with a baking soda/water paste.


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Cleaning carpets

Carpet deodorizer

i) Sprinkle baking soda over carpet and let sit overnight. Vacuum.

ii) 1 cup borax 2 cups cornmeal - Mix ingredients in a bowl, sprinkle over carpet. Let stan

for an hour. Vacuum

Carpet stain removal

i) Club soda - Apply to stain and scrub.

ii) cup white vinegar cup water -Mix and rub. Rinse with water.

Wax on carpets

i) To remove wax from carpeting you should first scrape away any excess. Then, using awarm iron and a clean cloth or even a paper bag simply place the iron on top of the cloth

bag over the wax and as you iron it will adhere to the cloth instead of the carpet.

Continue moving the cloth around as you pick up the wax so you are always using a cleansection of cloth. If a little grease stain remains sprinkle on baking soda and let sit overnig

before vacuuming which will remove the grease residue and deodorize at the same time.

Red wine on carpet or cloth

i) Dissolve cup borax in a pint of water. Sponge in the solution, wait hour, and repea

Red wine is a tough stain and your chances of success are better the sooner you treat the

ii) Sprinkle salt liberally over the area to absorb the spill.

iii) If you spill wine on your clothing or tablecloth, blot it up immediately with an absorben

cloth, then sponge it with carbonated, soda water or warm water. The bubbles in the sodawater lift the stain out. If the fabric is washable then stretch the effected area over a sma

saucepan or heat resistant bowl and hold it in place with string or an elastic band. Pour ho

water through the fabric, and then wash as soon as possible.

iv) If red wine is spilled on your carpet sponge it with carbonated, soda water. Blot well (d

not rub).

v) If stain persists, you can try dabbing the area with some hydrogen peroxide.

Some times a paste of cream of tartar spread over the stain will work.

vi) sometimes it works to cancel out the red wine, by pouring white wine over the stain!


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Animal faeces / urine on carpets

Pets tend to return to the same place in the house when they make their periodic pee andother mistakes. Pets have an excellent sense of smell; in fact, they can smell the residue

from their previous error, and this makes them feel as if that marks the spot for the nexterror.

Simple Solution:

Neutralize the odor by alternating baking soda and vinegar. Finish cleaning up a pet messby sprinkling the area with baking soda, leaving that overnight, and then sweeping or

vacuuming it up. Pet urine often has both acidic and alkaline components, so the next ste

is to neutralize the alkaline baking soda and residual alkaline odor using a strong vinegarwash; I use 2 cups of white distilled water to 1 gallon of water. Wash the area with the

vinegar wash, and then rinse. The strong smell of the vinegar will dissipate in a few hours

Cleaning clothes

Blood on clothes

i)If the stain is fresh then soak immediately in cold water and the stain will flow out.

ii) Remove a stubborn blood stain by applying hydrogen peroxide, allowing it to bubble,

then repeating the application until stain is gone. Launder as usual. Hydrogen peroxide isthe main ingredient in commercial blood stain removers

Mould from clothing

i) remove mildew from clothing or other fabrics begin by brushing the mildewed area. It'sbest to do this outside. The item must be dry to do this. Then rub the affected area with

half a lemon that has been dipped in salt.

Then wash as usual. Dry the item in the sun if possible

Biro on clothes


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i) You can remove ink stains on coloured fabrics by soaking the item in milk

If your stain is on white fabric then have a go at rubbing a mixture of lemon juice and saltinto the stain. Then hang to dry in a sunny place.

ii) A paste of cream or tartar an lemon juice let sit for 1 hour and wash as usual

Perspiration

Sponge stain with a weak solution of white vinegar or lemon juice; or soak fabric in water

with two dissolved tablets of aspirin.

Oil / grease on clothes

i) Sprinkle some cornstarch or baking soda on the stain, then place the garment, stain sid

down, on a large rag on top of an ironing board. Iron with a hot iron on the wrong side of

the stain --most oil and grease stains will come right out. (This trick works only for oil andgrease, which need heat to dissolve.)

ii) Apply a paste of cornstarch and water. Brush off when dry or scrub spot with

toothbrush..

iii) Pour Coca-Cola onto the grease spot and rub it in. Then pour some more on the spot alet it sit for 10-15 minutes. Launder your clothes with detergent as usual. Pour the rest of

the coke it in the washing machine at the start of the wash cycle

Cleaning hard surfaces

Hearth

Washing away fireplace smoke and soot, or cleaning the smoke off the glass in wood stov

doors, is easy and safe using washing soda INGREDIENTS

1 bucket warm water

1/2 cup washing soda

Wash surface, wearing gloves; then rinse.

For really tough jobs, make a thick washing soda paste by mixing it with water, and thenspread the paste on the soot. Keep the paste damp by spraying every hour or so with a

spray bottle. Leave the paste on overnight, and then rinse. Make certain to only use thisformula on inert surfaces such as glass and stone, as this amount of washing soda can pe

off paint, wax, etc.

Floor wax for wooden floors


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i) 1 part lemon juice 2 parts food grade linseed oil - Apply with a rag. Let rest until floor

dry. Buff completely smooth.

Cleaning the air

Air fresheners

i) Place a few saucers of vinegar in strategic places around the room.

ii) charcoal will absorb stale smoke odours. As with the vinegar place the charcoal in

saucers around the room.

iii) If your furnishings are suffering from smoke odor then sprinkle baking soda (bicarbonaof soda) over armchair/sofa/mattress/carpet. Leave for a few hours and then vacuum off.

The baking soda will absorb the smell. The baking soda should not mark your furniture buyou can always test in an inconspicuous area.

iv) Put boxes of baking soda in enclosed spaces like wardrobes and refrigerators. V)

Houseplants (English Ivy and spider plants, among others) can help to remove chemicalsfrom the air.

vi) place cut Onions around the room to absorb smells

Paint stripping

Paint stripping

i) Make a very thick paste of washing soda and water (wear gloves because although

washing soda doesn't give off fumes, it is slightly caustic), and spread with a putty knife o

the surface to be stripped. Let it set for several hours, if not overnight, keeping it as moisas possible by misting frequently with water sprayed from a spray bottle. Rinse and peel o

the paint.

Once you have removed all the paint, rinse with a vinegar and water wash to neutralize thwashing soda (this might cause some bubbling)

Caution

Spot test this formula first to make sure the paste doesn't damage any wood

Removing sticky labels

From plastic

1. Apply a thick coat of cooking oil to the label in question.

2. Allow it to soak in, undisturbed, for 24 hours.

3. Try to peel the label off. If it comes readily, proceed to the next step. If it doesn't, repe

steps 1 and 2. (Many labels require two applications; some take several.)


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4. After the label has been peeled off, some sticky, partly dissolved glue will remain. To

remove it, coat the area with oil a final time and allow it to sit overnight. 5. Wipe off the oand dissolved glue, then wash the container in hot, soapy water.

Waterproofing boots

Leather boots

lanolin is a safe alternative leather waterproofer. Lanolin is the oil in sheep's wool, and it

a natural water repellent that can be removed with no harm to the sheep. Available inpharmacies as "Anhydrous Lanolin," and in a handy tube, lanolin is a rich, lubricating crea

that can easily be rubbed into leather.

Oil on a driveway

Oil on driveway

i)Soak up excess with sand or saw dust

ii)For the remaining stains, pour cola on them and leave overnight, rinse off with soapywater the following morning.

iii) Use Baking Soda (Bicarbonate of soda) to clean up light-duty oil and grease spills on

your garage floor or in your driveway. Sprinkle Baking Soda on the spot and scrub with awet brush

Outdoor furniture

Plastic Lawn Furniture Cleaner

1/2 cup washing soda

1 gallon hot water

Dissolve the washing soda in a bucket of hot water. Wearing gloves and using a sponge,

slather the water onto the furniture, and let it set for ten minutes or so before rinsing. Fostubborn stains, redo leaving the water on the plastic for an extra ten minutes before

rinsing thoroughly.


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Mildew and Mold Cushion Cleaner

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is a broad spectrum fungicide. It is available in health

food stores.

2 teaspoons tea tree oil

2 cups water

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Spot test on cushions to make sure there is no

discoloration. Spray on the cushions. Don't rinse. In a few days both the strong smell of t

tea tree oil and the mould will dissipate.

Assuming you can rinse your cushions, after you have killed the mould and mildew, spot

clean cushions using the Plastic Lawn Furniture Cleaner, above. Rinse.

Note: Spot test the washing soda mixture on wood furniture first. It is a powerful cleanseand you don't want to peel off any existing wood finish.

Barbecue Grill Soak

1-2 cups washing soda

Enough hot water to cover the grills

In a pan big enough to hold the grill (or the kitchen sink might work), soak the grills

overnight in the washing soda and water. In the morning the grime on the grill will come easily. Wash with soap and water, and rinse.

Rust remover

Rust on ferrous metals:

sprinkle a little bit of salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until it is nicely soakedlime juice. Leave the mixture on for two or three hours. Use the leftover rind as a handy

scrubber to remove the rust.

Paint brush restorer

Paint Brushes

To restore brushes stiffened and hardened by paint, simply boil them in a

solution of 1/2 gallon of water mixed with 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 cup of

baking soda.


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Insect repellents

Fly repellents

One way of deterring at least some flies is to hang up bunches of insect-repelling herbs in

the house, or to put vases filled with aromatic and pungent-scented fresh herbs on thewindowsills. In summer, collect eau-de-cologne mint, pennyroyal, rosemary, rue,

southernwood, thyme, or tansy to hang up or stand in a jug or vase. Many of these were

strewn on the floors of houses in the Middle Ages to help repel flies. Tansy, one of the oldstrewing herbs, has a good reputation as an insect repellent. Its clean pungency when

crushed underfoot helped keep flies away. An old method of keeping flies off meat was torub it with tansy leaves and then lay fresh sprays of the plant over the meat.

Ant and mite / weevil repellentsi) For ants in the house, a strong decoction of walnut leaves (6 handfuls ofleaves boiled in 1 pt/Vi 1 water for 20-30 minutes) can be painted round floors or on work

surfaces.

ii) Place sprigs of pennyroyal, rue or tansy on shelves or in cupboards to deter ants. Distuthe leaves occasionally to release more scent. This doesn't kill ants but encourages them

go away.

iii) Equal parts white vinegar and water - Mix and apply to countertops, cabine

and floors.

iv) For mites and weevils, keep 2 or 3 nutmegs, a few peeled elder shoots or a couple ofbay leaves in bags of flour and rice to prevent mites.

Moth repellents

i) To deter moths, lay whole sprays of dried herbs among blankets or woollens. Put

southernwood (its French name oigarderobe confirms its usefulness), santolina, rosemaryand lavender among clothes between sheets of tissue paper. The rarer bog myrtle, or swegale (Myrica gale), has the old country name of flea-wood and was used to scent linen an

to drive out fleas.

ii) Moth-repellent sachets Sachets or bags filled with a mixture of pungent herbs and spic

and placed in cupboards and drawers, are a good protection against moths.

Recipe:


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3 tablespoons southernwood

2 tablespoons mugwort

I tablespoon rosemary leaves

1 tablespoon chamomile flowers

1 tablespoon thyme

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

'/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon orris root powder

Oil of cloves, or lavender, or lemon oil.

Crumble the dried herbs into a bowl. Add the spices, the salt and orris root. Store in ascrew-topped jar, away from the light, for 2 weeks. Have the bags ready for filling, and

shake enough oil on to the herbs to scent them quite strongly. Fill the bags and stitch or t

the opening.

iii) Store clean clothing in airtight containers or sealed bags with cedar blocks,shavings (available as cage bedding in pet stores) or oil. Place cedar in drawers and close

as well. Inspect any used clothing or furniture carefully for moths or larvae before bringinthem into the house, or clean them first.

Vigorously shaking clothes will remove larvae and eggs (remember to vacuum wellafterwards). And the heat of the dryer will also kill larvae and eggs.

Fleas, lice and ticks

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 quart water (per 40 pound of pet weight)

Mix and add to pet's drinking water to keep your pet free of fleas and ticks

For information on how to clean pee stains out of a mattress click here:

http://houseofstrauss.co.uk/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=453

http://www.anyclean.co.uk/articles/natural-cleaning-recipes.html
http://houseofstrauss.co.uk/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=453http://houseofstrauss.co.uk/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=453


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Natural cleaning recipes

Some natural cleaning recipes call for making them as you go, using baking soda and vinegar, for example, causes

foaming to take place-as any kid in chemistry class will tell you-and needs to be made right on top of the grease yare trying to clean up. Some, however, can be made and stored, just like the chemical or commercial brands.

First, some essentials need time you go shopping:

Clean plastic spray bottles

Liquid Castile soapWhite vinegar (Apple cider vinegar can stain and some people have allergies to it)Pure lemon juice

Baking soda

SaltGrapefruit seed extract

Essential oils and/or herbs for fragrance-optional

These are the basics. As long as you keep these products on hand, you will always be able to concoct natural clean

recipes for use around animals and pregnant women, or simply cut down on the use of chemicals and commercialproducts. The following are recipes for natural cleaning products.

All Purpose Cleaner This will last for a couple of months if you keep it in the refrigerator (using lemon),

makes 32 ounces.

1 cup Vinegar or Lemon Juice,

1 teaspoon of liquid castile soap

10 drops of grapefruit seed extract.

Fill with cold water to the top of the container. If you use about 20 drops of essential oil you can delete the

vinegar smell and won't have to store it in the refrigerator. If you use Lemon, mark the sprayer clearly!

Use as a shower spray to cut down on the soap scum. Just spray and leave on for 20 minutes, then wipe with a towor spray and leave to dry. For your kitchen counters, appliances, floors, windows, and mirrors, use as you would an

spray and wipe cleaner.For your floors, use about 1/2 cup in a bucket of water and use in your Dishwasher as a dish rinse. You can even uit in your laundry.

Soft Scrub

1 cup of baking soda

1 cup of Castile soap

Mix together and use as a soft scrub for all your bathroom (tub, tile, and toilet) cleaning needs.

Liquid Natural Detergent

This makes one gallon and can be used anywhere that the all purpose spray can be used. It is especially helpful incutting today's laundry detergent prices.

1 cup of Castile Soap

1 /3 cup of Salt

1 cup of baking soda

1 cup of Vinegar40 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract.

To half a gallon of water, add the salt and baking soda which has been melted down over low heat and just enough


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water to help it dissolve. Add Castile soap and the vinegar.

Fill your gallon jug up the rest of the way, and then add Essential oils and Grapefruit extract. For tub and tile clean

put your solution in a spray bottle and use on your bathroom or kitchen. For floors,add 1/2 to one cup (more) of castile soap to your bucket of water

and clean almost any floor. If you have concerns, spot mop a small section to test. You can also use this natural

cleaning recipe in stead of commercial dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, induction burner stoves, and on alcountertops.

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green house cleaning methods

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