Thread: Environmentally Friendly Cleaning

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CLEANING [/b]


Using common, natural household products for cleaning is recommended from both a financial and an environmental standpoint. There are a number of great environmentally friendly cleaning solutions.

Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 1 quart of water to clean windows. After the solution softens the window's grit and grime, wipe with old newspapers.

Combine 1/2 cup of ammonia, 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 quart of warm water to break down grease and cooked-on grime on pots, pans, stovetops and ovens.

Use club soda or white vinegar to remove spots and stains around the house.

Clean silver and eliminate pet odors in carpets or upholstery with pure lemon or lime juice.

Make a paste of baking soda and water. This paste is a mild abrasive cleanser for everything from jewelry to moldy bathroom grout.


Wood Floor

You'll want to match the cleaning method and material to the finish of your wood floor. The most popular types of finish are wax, oil and polyurethane.


Wax finish: Strip periodically with chemical strippers and buff numerous coats of wax back into the floor. Sweep up any dirt and grit and then give the floor a quick buffing to bring out the luster.

Oil finish: Clean oil-finished floors with oil soap mixed into water.

Use as little water as possible and buff dry after cleaning. When the floor is clean apply a high-quality floor oil with a rag in even coats. After the oil soaks into the floor for one to two hours, buff it to a shine with a clean rag.

Polyurethane finish: Clean polyurethane-finished floors with a weak solution of soap and water. Don't use cleaning oil, furniture polish or chemical strippers on polyurethane as they can break down the finish and cause flooring problems later.

No matter what type of product you choose - those from your grocery store or those made especially for the environment - having the right ones for the job will cut down on your cleaning time and make your home shine.

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