Green Cleaning - Does it Really Work?

I used to have a friend who believed in "green" cleaning. She always talked about using vinegar and baking soda. I thought people who used those kind of things were hippies or tree-hugging freaks. Besides that, I wondered if these all natural products really worked.

I got tired of almost fainting every time I cleaned my bathroom, and having a sore throat for three hours afterward. Also, I was concerned that the chemicals in my favorite cleaning products were harming not only my body but also the environment. But I was not convinced that the same substances I used to make a cake could really do any good at getting rid of that nasty ring around my tub drain.

So, I decided to go the au naturel way and try out some of the top green cleaning products to see if these hippies really knew what they were talking about. Here is what I discovered.

Vinegar

Vinegar is not only makes pickles taste good, but it's also one of the top green cleaning products. Its uses number into the hundreds. Vinegar kills bacteria and gets rid of odors. It also cleans glass and can be substituted for carpet cleaning solution.

I made a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water and poured it in a heavy duty spray bottle I bought at the dollar store. You can use this solution on most surfaces. You never want to use on wood though. How did it work for me? Well, my mirrors were shinier than I ever imagined. I used it to shine my faucet. It worked much better than windex.

My main concern about using vinegar was that I would not be able to stand the smell and it would linger in my house. While the smell is very pungent, I don't have to worry about it doing any damage to my lungs. I just think of pickles to take my mind off of it. You really do get used to the smell. Also, you can add essential oils to the vinegar to make it more pleasant. Try lavendar or tea tree oil. The smell only stays around for a few minutes before dissipating. So, I don't have to worry about my guests thinking that I eat pickles in the bathroom.

Baking Soda

Another favorite of hippies. Baking soda not only helps bread rise, it can scrub away all maner of dirt and scum. Since it's mildly abrasive, it's very good at removing any stuck on dirt. And you don't have to worry about it scratching any surfaces.

In combination with vinegar, you get an explosive reaction. This fun is not only good for little boys and rainy days, it's also a wonderful for getting baked-on food off of burned pots and pans. I used to buy that expensive Dawn Power Disolver but this works just as good and for mere pennies.

I hate those boxes that baking soda comes in, so I went to the dollar store and bought one of those shakers that they put hot pepper in at pizza joints. The shaker dispenses just the right amount for any task I'm doing. I found that baking soda works well for most heavy duty scrubbing jobs.

Lemon Juice

There are two ways to use this. The first way is to buy some fresh lemons and spend some time squeezing them. If you do, nuke one in the microwave for a few seconds and then roll around on the counter, applying a bit of pressure so that more juice will come out. You can also use the peel for making zest in any
recipes you've been wanting to try.

The second, and easier way, is to buy lemon juice by the bottle. This stuff is dirt cheap! I'm not talking about those plastic yellow lemonshaped bottles that your grandpa used on his fishing line. I'm talking about the bottled kind. Look in your supermarket juice section. I poured the juice in an empty dishwashing liquid bottle. That way when I need it, all I have to do is squirt a bit out. I don't have to fiddle with screwing a cap back on.

I usually use lemon juice in combination with vinegar or baking soda. I make a paste of two tablespoons lemon juice to a half cup vinegar and two tablespoons of vinegar to scrub my tub with. It's better than comet! Although I do miss that comet smell. Now, I'm getting used to a fresh lemoney smell.

Lemons are a natural antibiotic and kill germs. This is a great alternative to bleach. And I don't have to worry about ruining my clothes if I spill some on myself. Also, I can pour a bit in my iced tea when I'm hot and sweaty from all the cleaning I've been doing.

Salt

Salt is another all natural product that we may not think of when it comes to cleaning. Table salt or sea salt works well. Again, I found both at my local dollar store.

I used it with a bit of dishwashing liquid on a dishrag to scrub away splattered food off the stove or microwave. I don't have to spend so much time scrubbing because the salt did most of the work for me.

I was doubtful that I would be able to wipe away all the salt, but it was not a problem. I didn't have to use that much for it to be effective. One sprinkle goes a long way.

Water

It's free, right out of the tap. One of the most overlooked cleaning products is water. If you are out of everything else mentioned above, there is always water.

People these days are over concerned about germs. A few germs never hurt anyone. So, if you spill a bit of food or drink on the countertop, just take a paper towel or washcloth and run it through some hot water and wipe the mess away! No worries. The world will not fall apart till you can get your hands on some green cleaning products.

I quickly learned that I had no need to be worried about the effectiveness of these green cleaning products. They work just as good and in most cases better than commercial cleaning chemicals. Many of us can remember the days when our grandparents using vinegar and baking soda. Then again, they may have been hippies too.