How to Clean the Green Way with Homemade Non-toxic Cleaners

Cleaning with vinegar and other common household items is yet another great way to be green. You won't spend near as much on traditional and harmful cleaners. You will save money, but also you will save the environment too. It is very important to realize that global warming is a problem and we can fix it by being green.

Degreaser-Spray with straight vinegar and let soak for a while, then lightly scrub. Wipe away and the surface will no longer have a greasy residue.

Counters-The best way to clean counters is to first spray them with vinegar, wipe that away. Then come back and spray with a simple peroxide solution, mix it half peroxide and half water. Purchase the 3% hydrogen peroxide and use as a disinfectant. Peroxide and vinegar when used together kills most bacteria, viruses, and fungi (Stouffer, 1999). Do not mix the two as they are not as effective.

Windows/Mirrors- Spray with a solution of half vinegar and half water. You can also use straight club soda for a streak-free shine.

Microwave-Put ½ cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water and microwave until it boils, and then easily wipe away baked-on foods.

Stain fighters-For blood, put peroxide onto the spot, scrub lightly with an old toothbrush. Rinse with cold water. Repeat as necessary. For other stains, use vinegar, just rub the stain with vinegar and then wash.

Carpet refresher-All you need to do is sprinkle with baking soda and then vacuum.

Clog remover-Instead of buying harsh chemicals like Drano, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain and then follow with a cup of vinegar. It will start to foam. Then rinse with hot water when the foam is gone, repeat as necessary.

Mold and Mildew-Spray with vinegar. It will kill and clean what is already there, and will inhibit it from growing there again.

Tile or Linoleum-Mix 1 cup of vinegar into one gallon of water. Mop the floor like you normally do.

Wood Floor-Mix ½ cup of vinegar with one gallon of water and mop the floor.

Toilet bowl-First, put a cup of vinegar into the bowl and then add ¼ cup of baking soda. It will foam and clean as it does. Then just use your toilet brush as you usually would.

Tub, Shower, Toilet-Use a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water.

Dishes-Use your regular, dish detergent and then add a few tablespoons of vinegar to the dishwater to eliminate grease and odor.

Bleaching Laundry-Instead of using bleach, pour a cup of peroxide into the washing machine.

Vinegar has many uses today and one of those is as a cleaner. Baking soda isn't just for baking anymore. You can make effective cleaners that are non-toxic by using just a few items that you have in your home.

Judy Stouffer, "Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide as Disinfectants." Tau Topics.