Recipes for Green Cleaning

There was once a time where the products that we now take for granted to be at our nearest retail outlet, were made at home with common ingredients already found in most homes. As the economy changes and money becomes tighter, we begin to look at ways to save money. By creating at home a few of those everyday products we would normally purchase we will not only save ourselves money, we will enjoy environmentally safe alternatives.

Below are some easy recipes for common household cleansers.

Air Freshener:

�¼ cup dried sage
�½ cup crushed mint leaves
1 cup witch hazel

Mix all ingredients together in a jar, shaking well. Cover and let stand un-refrigerated for 72 hours. Strain. Pour into squirt bottle. Use as needed. Makes one cup solution.
CAUTION: Store away from children and pets.

Dry Carpet Cleaner

2 cups baking soda
�½ cup cornstarch
5 bay leaves crumbled
1 cup potpourri

In a covered container mix all ingredients well.
To Use: Shake well and sprinkle on carpet. Leave for several hours keeping children and pets off. Vacuum well.
CAUTION: Store unused portions in a safe place away from children and pets.

Tile & Grout Cleaner

�½ cup baking soda
1/3 cup household ammonia
�¼ cup white vinegar
7 cups warm water

Combine ingredient in a one gallon plastic jug with lid. Shake to mix.
For small jobs, fill a squirt bottle with solution and spray directly on tile surface. Rinse with cool water and a cloth. Yield: 2 Quarts
CAUTION: Do not mix this solution with anything containing bleach. Label jug and store out of reach of children.

Oven Cleaner

2 tablespoons liquid soap
2 teaspoons borax
1 �½ cups warm water
�¼ cup household ammonia
Baking soda

Pour soap and borax into a spray bottle. Shake and let stand until all crystals dissolve so as not to clog the sprayer.
To Use: Put old newspapers on the floor in front of the oven. Make sure that your work area is well ventilated. Spray the liquid onto the oven surface, being careful not to get any in your eyes. Let sit about ten minutes the spread the baking soda on the area. Use a wet piece of steel wool to scrub. Rinse.
CAUTION: In case of eye contact rinse thoroughly with cool water and see a physician.
Do not use on self cleaning or continuous cleaning ovens.

In the interest of safety, please be responsible in using these recipes. While they are environmentally safe, they still contain chemicals that may be harmful to children and pets.