Cleaning Tips: Sinks to Floors

Green Cleaning is a new-fangled expression for an old way of doing things. Before there were toxic cleaners, there were natural cleaners. Below you'll find some tips for green cleaning in your own home.

Cleaning Hardwood Floors

Brew two teabags in hot water and cool to room temperature. Use with a mop or a cloth on the floors. No rinsing needed.

Removing Household Odors

Mix 1 cup of water with 1/4 cup of white vinegar. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 30minutes.

If you do not care for the vinegar method, simply choose essential oil of lavender, lemon, cinnamon, orange or any other favorite scent. Place 10-15 drops of essential oil in a 16oz. spray bottle and fill with water. Spray around your home .. the air, carpets, furnishings, etc.

One of my favorite things to do is dampen a cloth and place 1-2 drops of essential oil on it then wipe down my counters, walls, doorknobs, etc. Not only does it leave behind a wonderful scent, but it's also disinfecting the surfaces as well as the air!

Coffeepot stains

Pour white vinegar in the pot and swish around; use a brush or sponge with the vinegar if further cleaning is needed. Rinse for a clean and deodorized pot.

Burned food on pans

Dip a sponge in warm water, sprinkle baking soda on the food stain and scrub until the spill is removed. Rinse and dry.

Stainless-steel sinks

Use white vinegar on a damp sponge to remove soap scum and hard-water spots.

Rust in stainless-steel sink

Pour lemon juice (fresh or bottled) on a soft cloth, sprinkle on cream of tartar and work into the rust stain. If the rust isn't immediately removed, let the mixture sit on the stain for a few minutes, then scrub and rinse.

General sink cleaning

Baking soda is a great natural cleaner. Sprinkle on a sponge, scrub and rinse. Better yet, sprinkle on and pour vinegar.. the foaming action cleans fast (especially soap scum!) and leaves a brilliant shine. This works for counters, floors, sinks and almost anything else! Add some salt and you've got a great natural "bleach" for treating mildew and stains! *Do not use vinegar on marble or granite!*

Shower Heads:

Metal Shower Heads:

To remove deposits which may be clogging your metal shower head, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar and one quart water. Then completely submerge the shower head and boil 15 minutes.

Plastic Shower Heads:

Combine 1 pint white vinegar and 1 pint hot water. Completely submerge the shower head and soak for about one hour.