Following are green cleaning recipes for creating nontoxic household cleaners:

Tub and sink cleaner (baking soda and liquid soap)

Sprinkle baking soda on the porcelain fixtures. Rub with wet rag. Add a few drops of the liquid, Murphy’s soap to the rag for more cleaning power. Rinse well to avoid leaving a hazy film.

Window and mirror cleaner (white vinegar and water)

Put 1/4 cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle and fill to the top with water. Spray on the surface. Rub with a lint-free cotton rag. For outdoor windows, use a sponge and wash with warm water and a few drops of liquid Murphy’s or castile soap in it. Rinse well and squeegee dry.

Linoleum floor cleaner (white vinegar and water)

Mop with a mixture of 1/2 cup vinegar in a bucket of warm water. The vinegar odor will dissipate shortly after the floor dries.

Toilet bowl cleaner (baking soda and liquid soap)

Sprinkle baking soda inside the bowl as you would any scouring powder. Add a couple drops of liquid soap as well. Scrub with a toilet bowl brush and finish the outside surfaces with a rag sprinkled with baking soda.

All purpose cleaner (liquid soap)

Use Murphy’s liquid soap to remove spots from woodwork, tile and linoleum. Add a few drops of liquid soap to a wet washcloth and rub surface briskly.

Oven cleaner (baking soda and water)

Mix 1 cup of baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Apply the paste to oven surfaces and let it stand a little while. Use the scouring pad for scrubbing most surfaces. A spatula or a bread knife is effective to get under large food deposits. This recipe will require more scrubbing effort, but it is nontoxic for you, your children and the environment. Commercial oven cleaners contain severe irritants. Do not use this cleaner recipe on self-cleaning ovens!

Drain cleaner (baking soda, white vinegar and boiling water)

Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain first, then 1/2 cup vinegar. Let it fizz for a few minutes. Then pour down a teakettle full of boiling water. Repeat if needed. If the clog is stubborn, use a plunger. For very stubborn clogs, use a mechanical snake. This recipe will free minor clogs and helps to prevent future clogs.

Copper cleaner (white vinegar, water and salt)

Mix equal parts of vinegar and salt (a tablespoon of each) and apply to the surface with a rag. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with water afterwards, otherwise it will corrode. Don’t use this cleaner on lacquered finishes!

Use these green cleaning recipes to create homemade cleaners that are safe for you, your children and the environment.

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com (http://www.myguidesusa.com), you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life’s major events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you’ll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.

Find home improvement tips and resources, such as green cleaning recipes, at http://www.myguidesusa.com/homeimprovement

Here’s the point. The various commercial cleaners from the store contain petroleum distillates. They produce potentially deadly fumes & are harmful to our environment. Not to mention the fact they cost much more per ounce then the natural cleaners. Often their packaging is non-recyclable.

The store-bought cleaners are also pre-mixed. With the natural cleaners, you decide how strong you would like the solution. Just one quart of natural cleaner can make up to 32 gallons of safe cleaning solution. One quart of cleaner from the store equals one quart of cleaner.

The natural cleaning products are just as effective as their toxic counterparts. It’s easy to save money with organic cleaning since the products are concentrated. We have cleaned quite a few things with the cleaner so far, & still have quite a bit of concentrate left. At just pennies per quart of diluted solution, there isn’t a much more effective cleaner out there for the money.

Natural cleaners are effective everywhere in the home. While the kitchen & bathroom contain most of the more harmful cleaners, they can be found in all areas. Even air fresheners (aerosol) are harmful. Natural cleaning products can provide a safe home environment & help save money.

John Marshall a.k.a. “Mr. Green Clean” is an advocate of natural cleaning. More info available at http://www.completegreencleaning.com. Copyright (c) John Marshall. Reprint article only with this resource box included please.

Vinegar. A natural product that poses no chemical or toxic harm to your family, vinegar is a natural cleaning solution that can be used as an all-purpose cleaner for most any household cleaning jobs.

(NOTE: Always test a small area if you have any doubt or concern about the surface you plan to apply vinegar/water to.)

With an equal mix of vinegar to water, it’s a great cleaner for floors, kitchen cabinets, countertops, sinks, appliances and the inside of your refrigerator.

Vinegar is also an effective natural cleaner for the bathroom. It’s great for cleaning through soap scum and stubborn hard water stains in sinks and toilets. Again, test on tile and/or grout areas before use. You can also use to achieve a streak-free cleaning on all mirrors and glass surfaces.

Of course, organic produce is always the best choice, but when it’s not an option, vinegar can help. That’s right! A few tablespoons of vinegar to a sink or bucket full of water, washes away pesticides, chemicals and germs from non-organic fruits and vegetables. Soak the produce for 15-30 minutes before using.

Baking Soda. Another all natural product that’s inexpensive yet an effective all natural cleaner and deodorizer. Mixed with a small amount of water the baking soda paste can be used to scrub stubborn stains from most any surfaces. It’s also a great natural teeth cleaner and whitener as well as a natural deodorizer in closets, refrigerators and freezers.

And the third natural cleaning solution I found many household cleaning tasks for is lemon. It’s natural, smells great and combined with baking soda is a very effective cleaner.

Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle it with baking soda and you have an all natural scrubbing solution for dishes, countertops, stubborn stains and soap scums. Lemon also cleans brass and copper and when combined with olive oil can be used on wood as an all natural furniture cleaner.

So there you have 3 very simple, inexpensive and effective all natural cleaning solutions. Vinegar, Baking Soda and Lemons.

Chances are, you already have these items in your home so the next time you reach for a toxic cleaning solution, think twice, and try going all natural!

“themom”, a/k/a Denise Palmer is a mom and Internet Consultant. Moms Organic House is a combination of 13 years of Internet experience and a passion for organic living and education. If you’d like to learn more about how to create or sustain a practical, simple, yet effective organic lifestyle, visit Moms Organic House for more information.

One side is made from microfiber so it is great for cleaning, while the other side is made of shammy material. This side is great for drying and polishing. To clean your windows all you have to do is get the cloth damp and wipe away. Wipe with one side to clean and remove build-up. Then flip it over and use the shammy side to dry and buff to a polished, streak-free shine. This cloth is totally reusable and washable. Use it over and over for sparkling windows, mirrors, chrome, counters and more. The incredible cleaning power of the microfiber allows you to remove 99% of all dirt, dust and germs with just water on the cloth. Use the shammy side to dry and polish to a streak-free and lint-free shine. This is the fastest, easiest and safest way to clean windows. Reusable and washable hundreds of times. Welcome to the future of window washing!

Ultimate Window Cloth

But what does the SLS actually do? Well, for a short and simple answer, it bubbles, or foams. That is it. If it really that bad for you, would the Proctor and Gambles of the world continue to manufacture something deliberately harmful to us? I think not.

The actual method you get clean happens like this. Take your hands for instance. You should wet your hands slightly. Then put soap on them and rub them vigorously together, not under water. You should do this for at least a minute. You will see all kinds of bubbles, and most likely, you will also see dirt on the bubbles. It is the friction of the rubbing motion of your hands, which is actually cleaning them. The SLS acts as a carrier, and removes the dirt from you hands and puts it in the bubbles. Then you rinse the bubbles off, and hence, the dirt goes with it. That is it.

If you notice, all natural products do not have SLS in them, therefore they do not bubble. And because they do not bubble, people will think they are not working. It is what I believed at one time. But they are working. Many of the all natural products have a citrus product in them, which is an excellent all natural cleaning product. So, they do not need the bubbles to clean, they have the ingredients. Makes you wonder why even buy some expensive soap, when the cheapest one will work just as well.

Homemade natural soap products and regular products will work just fine. Just keep an eye on the SLS when using soaps and shampoos on your baby. The SLS has been proven to enter the blood through the skin, and the baby does have a soft spot. Personally, I did not take a chance with my 2 kids. They used all natural homemade soap and shampoo.

Michael Baker is a practitioner of All Natural Health. From herbs, to all natural shampoos, and alternative health, www.n2scents.com/store covers it.

[ Buy Natural Cleaning Products ] 

There are many benefits to using these newer non-toxic cleaning products. Number one, of course, they are NON TOXIC! Great for households with small children and pets. There are many ingredients in conventional cleaning products that are extremely hazardous to ones health. For example, certain toilet bowl cleaners use an ingredient called Acid Blue 9, which can be carginogenic.

Natural cleaning products are not only better for humans and animals, but better for the environment as well. Ingredients from conventional cleaning products can get into the environment in a few ways. Toilet bowl cleaners and sink cleaners are flushed down toilets and rinsed down sinks. Many products are thrown in the trash where they make their way to landfills, soaking into the ground, contaminating groundwater and the soil.

Switching to natural cleaning products is beneficial to many. Sometimes, they can even be less expensive if you make your own. Mineral oil can be used for a polish on wood furniture. Lemon juice is excellent for removing set in stains, even rush or mildew! Squeeze a few lemon onto the stain and let it soak. Even better, let it soak in the sun. A mixture of apple cider vinegar and water is an excellent bathroom and kitchen cleaner. Use it to clean counters, appliances, toilets and sinks. For cleaning toilets, use a half cup of baking soda and then a cup of vinegar and swish around with a toilet brush. Tea Tree oil has antiseptic qualities and is very concentrated. Purchase a small bottle (around $6) and just a few drops of the oil in a spray bottle of water will clean for weeks. It also has a deodorizing effect, so it is great for cleaning bathrooms.

Even if you do not chose to make your own cleaners, you can use commercially made natural cleaners. Seventh Generation vegetable based cleaners are wonderful and are free and clear of added fragrances. Some of their products are also hypo-allergenic plus they do not have phosphates, acids, caustics, dyes and are not tested on animals.

Mrs. Meyers is another brand of cleaners that I use frequently. All of their cleaning products are made with essential oils, are biodegradable and phosphate-free, and they are not tested on animals. My favorite is their lavender scented counter spray. It makes the entire room you are cleaning smell fabulous. It is hard to believe a cleaner can smell so nice! This cleaner can be used on just about every non-porous surface, like finished wood and tile floors, countertops, walls, porcelain, bathroom fixtures, sealed stone, and more.

Do your family and the environment a favor and switch to natural products!

http://nicolepotts1.livejournal.com/

[ Buy Cleaning Supplies ] 

The materials that we use to clean homes currently are filled with harsh chemicals that do not agree with the skin. This is proven by the rashes and other skin irritations they can use if the skin has direct contact with the chemicals. Also, if you are exposed to the chemicals for too long in an enclosed area, they can be harmful to your health, as well. Yet, they do a wonderful job of cleaning homes, offices, etc. Some can take any stain out and others can keep a piece of wood conditioned and shiny for years. The question is, is the exposure really worth what you get out of it? Is it really worth it to have a meticulous home if you have to have adverse reactions to your health?

There is an alternative. There has been a recent surge of organic products from fruits and vegetables to the very products you clean your home with. These products can produce the same results as those that are filled with man made chemicals, yet they are much less caustic to those using them. They have been made out of and are packaged in natural materials.

These cleaning products are packaged in materials that are biodegradable. Therefore, when finished using the product, the packaging can be recycled or reused. The cleaning agents themselves are also natural, yet do just as good a job of cleaning. Their counterparts are, as already discussed, caustic to humans and their packaging material should be disposed of properly otherwise you run the risk of letting these caustic materials run into groundwater from the garbage dumpsite.

All around, this is a superior cleaning product. In these days of wastefulness and concern of our natural resources, conserving where possible is always a good idea. Using these types of cleaning materials will not only satisfy you as to their ability to do their job, but will also pay for themselves over and over again in the fact that nothing about them will go to waste.

Bruce Gors -Owner/Operator

BG’s Carpet Care http://www.cleaning-green.com

[ Green Cleaning Supplies ]

All-purpose household cleaner
Dissolve 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 pint of warm water. Use in a spray bottle as an all-purpose cleaner. Use pure vinegar to clean and shine bathroom fixtures and stainless steel.

Window cleaner
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

Household cleaner
Sprinkle salt or baking soda on the surface or on a damp sponge then scour and rinse.

Bathroom cleaner
For cleaning your tub or tile, apply vinegar to a sponge and wipe the surface. Then sprinkle baking powder on the surface and rub with a damp sponge, followed by rinsing.

Pet stain and odor remover
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on the stain. After a few minutes, clean with a sponge or brush using warm soapy water. For tougher stains, mix 2 tablespoons each of salt, vinegar and borax. Rub the pasty mixture into the carpet and leave the mixture on for several minutes. Wipe clean with a damp rag and vacuum.

Air freshener
Mix 1 pint of water with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vanilla extract in a spray bottle. Spray into the air around your home to freshen. For a stovetop air freshener, place 1 tablespoon of whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks and 1 teaspoon nutmeg in a pot of water. Simmer uncovered for an hour or two.

Surface disinfectant
Mix ¼ cup vinegar and 2 tablespoons baking soda with 1 quart water.

Furniture polish
Mix 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Apply a small amount to a cotton cloth. Rub the cloth to spread the mixture then use to polish furniture. Both ingredients are perishable, thus the mixture should be made fresh each time you polish.

Mix natural household cleaners and fresheners compliments of Mother Nature!

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com (http://www.myguidesusa.com), you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life’s major events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you’ll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.