Natural Cleaners
3 Non-toxic Cleaning Substitutes Easily Found in Home Kitchens
Nov 17, 2009 Cecille de la Cruz
If you think your home is a sanctuary from pollution, think again. With the average American household using about 40 pounds of VOC-rich (volatile organic compounds) household cleaning products, indoor air has 100 times more levels of pollutants than outdoor air according to the EPA.
Air pollution in home environment can produce long term health concerns for family including allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Household cleaning products also harm our plants and animals and contaminate our soil and groundwater sources when they make their way to the environment.
Give your home a safe cleaning – natural cleaning products contain no toxic pollutants, ensuring that one's home is thoroughly clean without putting the health of the household at risk. Green cleaners are also more cost-effective substitutes to commercial cleaning products. Here are three common household items that are highly effective against household dirt.
Lemon Juice
The acid of lemon juice is a powerful disinfectant, bleach, grease-cutter, and stain remover. Use it clean countertops, glass, or even your hands. Lemon juice can also dissolve soap scum and soften hard water deposits. Cut a lemon in half and add salt to the cut section to polish copper or solid brass. Make a natural dishwashing paste by cutting a lemon in half then add baking soda to the cut section. Lemon can also be used to make a natural floor shiner solution. Simply mix one half cup of lemon juice with 1 cup olive oil. Mop the floor or brush furniture surfaces with the solution for a shining, sparkling home in an instant.
Lemon can also be used to freshen up your stink. Just run a whole lemon peel through a garbage disposal to destink your kitchen in a snap.
Green or Black Tea
Green tea is a powerful natural cleaning solution, so don't throw out those tea residues left on mugs. Collect the residues into a clean cloth. If it's not enough to make about two bags of tea, then just add unused tea bags. Fill a teakettle with water, then bring to boil. Fill a pot with the hot water, then place two tea bags into the pot. Stir frequently until tea is totally extracted. Dip a clean cloth or rag into the tea extract, then squeeze out excess liquid. The green tea solution can be used to clean countertop surfaces, sink, stove surfaces, and inside and outside of oven.
Black tea, on the other hand, can be used to scour rust from garden tools. Brew just enough strong black tea to totally soak the tools in. Wait for the tea solution to cool down before putting the tools in the solution. After a few hours, wipe the tools with a cloth.
Orange
Orange, like lemon, has very powerful acid that works against grease, rust, dirt, and germs. Squeeze out acid from the peel, add a few drops of water, then add baking powder or vinegar. Use the solution to clean the inside of your oven or your BBQ grills. Slice an orange in half, then use it to scrub off stain or gunk from kitchen surfaces or to disinfect your chopping board. For tough stains, squeeze out 1 teaspoon of fresh orange juice. Mix in a quart of warm water, 1 teaspoon vinegar, 1 teaspoon borax, and 1 teaspoon dishwashing soap.
Green cleaning using the above natural cleaners can significantly reduce indoor air pollution and environmental harm. They can put more savings in your pocket, too.
Looking for more green cleaning tips? See more recipes and DIY home cleaners articles here on Suite 101.
Lemon as Natural Cleaner
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