Clean green.................................................. Judith A. Rucki

Clean green

BY JUDITH A. RUCKI

Having grown up in a family where cleaning was akin to an Olympic Sport, I was determined my first apartment would sparkle. One day, I decided to clean the bathroom with a mixture of ammonia and bleach. Toxic fumes had me flinging open windows and running for cover; I unwittingly created a version of mustard gas.

Several decades later, I have a better grasp on environmentally friendly household cleaning products. There are numerous plant-based products considered eco-friendly, such as Seventh Generation, Clothes Doctor, and Spruce. Some good natural cleaning products include vinegar, tea tree oil, Castile soap, and baking soda (especially popular because it deodorizes, whitens, brightens, cleans, and gently scrubs). If you mix your own cleaning products, use spray bottles that won’t be confused with food containers. Label them so you know what’s in each bottle.

WebMD suggests this formula for a natural, all-purpose cleaner: • ¾ cup hydrogen peroxide • ½ cup distilled white vinegar • 1 teaspoon unscented liquid

Castile soap • 10 drops tea tree oil • 20 drops lavender essential oil • 2 cups water

Good Housekeeping also offers these recipes for homemade cleaners: • Mix one-part distilled vinegar with three-parts water to create a simple cleaning spray. Dilute the mixture according to your needs or trade white vinegar for apple cider vinegar. Lemon juice can be added to disinfect surfaces. *Note:

The acid in vinegar can etch natural stone, so it is not recommended for granite and marble countertops, stone floor tiles, egg stains or spills, irons, hardwood floors, or stubborn stains. • For hard water stains, cleaning trash cans, and wiping away smudges, combine one-part white vinegar, one-part water, lemon rind, and rosemary sprigs. Pour into a spray bottle, shake, and allow the mixture to infuse for a week. • Four tablespoons of baking soda mixed with one-quart warm water will clean kitchen counters, appliances, and the inside of the refrigerator. Pouring baking soda straight from the box into a drain or garbage disposal removes odors.

Baking soda can also be used in litter boxes, garbage cans, and diaper pails to absorb odor. A water/baking soda paste remove spots from stainless steel.

According to WebMD, vinegar is a natural disinfectant good for removing gummy buildup, rust, and hard water stains. It can also remove buildup from your coffee pot.

Combining ¼ cup white vinegar and one tablespoon cornstarch with four cups warm water makes for a nonstreak window cleaner. Dissolve the cornstarch before spraying. To prevent streaking, wipe clean with a microfiber cloth and then a dry cloth. To sanitize a surface, combine one cup vinegar, one cup club soda, and two drops tea tree oil. Spray the mixture onto a surface and wipe clean. This works as a disinfectant only when freshly made.

Garbage disposal smells can be eliminated by running ice along with a squeezed orange, lemon, or lime. Ice sharpens the blade while citrus peels create a fresh scent. Microwave getting funky? Mix six tablespoons baking soda or ½ cup lemon juice with one cup water in a microwavesafe glass container. Microwave until the mixture boils, then let it sit inside (door closed) until cool. Grime will loosen and wiping down the inside of the microwave will be easy.

After a shower, mix 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol with one cup water. Shake, spray, and prevent mold, no rinsing necessary.

Going green involves making lifestyle choices that are good for both our health and the environment. According to the World Health Organization, nearly twenty-five percent of diseases are caused by things in the environment that we can change. Harmful cleaning products emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that linger in the home. Green products are made without chemicals

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that affect air quality, and won’t irritate lungs, eyes, or skin.

Another bonus is the green we can save. The average American family spends between forty and fifty dollars per month on cleaning supplies. It’s estimated that most DIY cleaners cost less than a dollar to make. When compared to store-bought products that cost anywhere from five to fifteen dollars per bottle, doesn’t it seem worth a try?

And if you’ve got some extra cash from making your own products, further the green experience by splurging on some potted plants, like the parlor palm, which removes VOCs from the air.

That’s really going green! FY

Judith A. Rucki is a public relations consultant and freelance writer.