Transcript Natural Cleaning - Wadsworth Public Library

Natural Cleaning
August 5, 2008
Kate Schell
What is Natural “Green” Cleaning?
Cleaning which protects your health and
the environment
 Made with natural “non-toxic” ingredients
 Less packaging waste
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Remember…
The word “natural” is undefined and
unregulated
 Be wary of eco-safe, environmentally safe,
green terms on packaging
 Always do your homework
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Why do we use so many chemicals while
cleaning?
FEAR!
 Big Business/Media
 Convenience
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Cleaners/Chemicals to Avoid
Bleach
 Ammonia
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What’s in it?
Formula 409: Ethylene Oxide
 Pledge Polish: Petroleum, Naptha
 Windex: 2-Butoxyethanol, Ether
 Murphy’s Oil Soap: Potassium Hydroxide,
Ethanol
 Cheer Laundry Soap: Ethanol, Borax,
Ethanolamine
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Cleaning Hints
Minimize dust: Remove that excess clutter
 Go “no shoes”
 Vacuum often
 Keep bedrooms clean: most of your time
is spent here
 Clean from the top to the bottom
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What do I need to make my own
cleaners?
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Vinegar
Borax
Baking Soda
Cornstarch
Murphy’s Oil Soap
Bucket
Spray Bottle
Dish Cloths or Rags
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Essential Oils
Lemons
Vodka
Best Cleaning Oils
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Thyme
Tea Tree
Citrus
Lavender
Eucalyptus
Pine
Clove
Peppermint
Rosemary
Vinegar (acetic acid)
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Excellent disinfectant
80-99% kill rate
Cuts grease, removes
stains
Natural fabric softener
Borax (sodium borate)
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Natural mineral
Kills mold and mildew
Alternative to bleach –
deodorizes, boosts
cleaning power of
soap
Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate)
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Originally from the
mineral natron
Now synthetically made
of sodium carbonate
and carbon dioxide
Great silver polisher
and light scrub
DO NOT use on
aluminum
Window Cleaner
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½ cup vinegar
2 cups water
¼ teaspoon Murphy’s
¼ teaspoon essential
oil
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1 cup rubbing alcohol
or vodka
1 cup water
1 tablespoon vinegar
Everyday Cleaner
½
½
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¼
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cup vinegar
cup borax
gallon hot water
teaspoon essential oil
Floor Cleaner
1 cup vinegar
 ¼ cup borax
 1 tablespoon Murphy’s
 2 gallons hot water
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Furniture Cleaner & Polish
¼ cup vinegar
 ¼ olive oil
 ¼ teaspoon lemon essential oil
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Note:
Other essential oils may damage the wood
finish!
Carpet Deodorizer
1 small container baking soda
 ½ cup cornstarch
 ½ teaspoon essential oil
 Shaker can is optional
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Let sit 15 minutes to absorb odors
Pots & Pans
For burnt on food (I know this never
happens to you!)
2 T baking soda
 1 quart water
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Bring water and baking soda to a boil and
then let sit 5 minutes. Wash as usual. The
stuck on food will come right off.
Drain Cleaner
½ cup baking soda
 1 cup vinegar
 1 gallon (very hot but not boiling water)
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Pour the baking soda down the drain and
follow with the vinegar. Immediately plug
the drain. Allow to sit for 15 minutes. Rinse
drain with the hot water.
Fabric Softener
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½ cup vinegar
Add to the fabric softener dispenser and
wash as usual.
Porcelain Sink Cleaner
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Rub with cream of tartar and a damp rag
Bathroom Deodorizer
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Sprinkle a few drops of essential oil inside
a toilet paper roll. Everytime the roll is
turned the scent will be released.
Sterling Silver Polish
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1 piece aluminum foil
2 T baking soda
2 quarts very hot water
Place the foil in a GLASS pan. Place silver on
top, sprinkle with baking soda and pour on
the water.
DO NOT use with patterned antiqued silver or on
silver with patina.
Chemical reaction removes tarnish uniformly.