Resourceful Living - Homemade "Green Cleaning" Kitchen Recipes

My Number One Product for Use In The Kitchen is ...VINEGAR

Vinegar is the most versatile and economical cleaning solution - either by itself or in conjunction with other solutions.

Vinegar is a natural product that is not harmful to the environment.

However, because of its distinctive aroma many people are reluctant to use vinegar as a cleaning agent but by adding an aromatic plant/flower essential oil such as Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, Sage, etc the strong acidic aroma is masked, leaving a more appealing natural herbal or floral fragrance.

Vinegar has great disinfecting qualities and is extremely effective in wiping down bench-tops, fridge and freezer, rubbish bins, etc.

It's acidic properties discourages the growth of organisms without killing useful organisms.

Spray it onto clothing before washing to remove perspiration stains.

Use Vinegar to clean ceramic tiles, anything made of glass such as mirrors and shower doors, even removing mould/mold and mildew from plastic shower curtains.

Vinegar also has many cosmetic and therapeutic uses.

Many other common household products can be used for "green cleaning" in one way or another that have not been mentioned in any great detail on my other "green cleaning" Hubpages.

These include Salt, Glycerine, Cream of Tartar, Epsom Salts, Tea Leaves, Talcum Powder, Toothpaste, Soda Water, Milk, Eggshells, Potato and Apples.

The following products cost much less and smell nicer than their commercial shop bought equivalents.

No recipe for a cleaning product is 100% foolproof, so be careful and if you are unsure do a "spot test" first.

Recipes listed here can be modified to best meet your needs.

Bench-top/Counter Cleaner - Recipe # 1

4 tlbsp Baking Soda

2 tlbsp Lemon Juice

Mix into paste and spread on surface.

Let it sit for 30 minutes for ink and other tough stains.

Wipe with damp cloth.

Bench-top/Counter Cleaner - Recipe # 2 (Glass)

1 cup White Vinegar

1 tlbsp Lemon Juice

3 cups Water

Mix with water and you can clean windows or any other glass, countertops and tiles.

Vegetable Wash - Recipe # 1

1 tlbsp White Vinegar

1.5 L Water

Mix together and rinse vegetables thoroughly.

Vegetable Wash - Recipe # 2

1/2 tlbsp environmentally friendly Dish Soap

1.5 L Water

Mix together and rinse vegetables thoroughly.

Oven Cleaner (Not Applicable for self – cleaning ovens)

5 tlbsp Baking Soda

3 tlbsp Water

Scour oven to remove big, black chunks.

Mix ingredients into paste and spread over all surfaces to be cleaned.

Let sit for one hour.

Scrub and rinse.

Microwave Cleaner

2 tlbsp Baking Soda

1 tlbsp Lemon Juice

1 cup Water

Mix together in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 5 minutes or until the mixture boils.

Wipe the condensation from the inside of the microwave.

Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Soap

1 cup Washing Soda

1 cup Borax

2 tlbsp White Vinegar

Mix equal portions Washing Soda and Borax.

To prevent build up, use only every 4th or 5th load, otherwise you’ll end up with a white film on your dishes.

Add White Vinegar to the rinse cycle.

I'm sure that in no time you will find yourself a "green cleaning" convert and you will be only too happy when counting the money that you have saved by being so.

Click on the highlighted link below to check out UrsulaRose's blog ... you just might learn something new about Green Cleaning and Resourceful Living.

Resourceful Rosee by Homeworker Rose/Resourceful Rosee 2010

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