HomeMy WebLinkAboutgreen cleaning recipes.pdfSimple Homemade Cleaning Recipes
All-Purpose Household Cleaner
1 quart warm water
1 tsp. liquid soap
1 tsp. borax
squeeze of lemon or splash of vinegar
This solution can be used for a multitude of cleaning
jobs including countertops, floors, walls, rugs and
upholstery.
Air Freshener
Leave open boxes of baking soda in
refrigerators, closets and bathrooms.
Open doors and windows for good ventilation.
Use stove fan when cooking.
Use flowers, herbs and spices to add subtle
fragrances to indoor air.
Drain Opener
½ cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar
boiling water
Dissolve baking soda and vinegar in boiling water,
and pour the solution down the drain. Continue to
flush with hot tap water until the clog breaks.
Degreaser (engine and tool)
Use a water-based cleaner in place of kerosene,
turpentine and commercial engine degreaser.
Degreaser (kitchen)
Use a non-chlorinated scouring powder with abrasive
scouring pad or fine steel wool.
Floor Cleaner
Vinyl floors: ½ cup vinegar or ¼ cup borax with 1
gallon water. Polish with club soda.
Wood floors: damp mop with mild vegetable oil
soap.
Disinfectant
Use ½ cup borax in 1gallon hot water. To inhibit
mold and mildew, do not rinse off borax solution.
Furniture Polish
1 pint mineral oil with a few drops of lemon juice.
Glass Cleaner
¼ cup vinegar in 1 quart warm water. (Do not use this
as a windshield wiper solution as it may damage the
pump - use plain water for this purpose.)
Mildew Cleaner
Scrub with baking soda or borax; for extended mold
inhibition, do not rinse off.
Oven Cleaner
Scrub with 2 tbsp. or more of baking soda or
borax in 1 gallon water, using very fine steel
wool (0000). Wear gloves. For very baked-on
spots, try scrubbing with pumice (available at
hardware stores.)
As a last resort, use a pump oven cleaner that
says, "No caustic fumes" and "No lye."
Rug and Upholstery Cleaner
Use the All-Purpose Household Cleaner.
Scouring Powder
Use baking soda or a non-chlorinated commercial
scouring powder.
Spot Removers
All-Purpose: ¼ cup borax in 2 cups cold
water; soak the stain prior to washing as usual.
Blood: Pour 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
solution directly on the stain, rinse with water
and wash as usual.
Ink: Apply a paste of lemon juice and cream
of tartar; allow it to dry, then wash as usual.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Scrub with baking soda or mild detergent.
Tub/Tile Cleaner
Use scouring powder or baking soda.
WARNING: Borax is the most caustic of the cleaners on
this list. Store it with special care in cabinets out of the
reach of children and use it well diluted. Latex gloves are
advisable.
Have other cleaners or chemicals to dispose of
properly? Make a no-cost appointment at the
Landfill’s hazardous waste facility (319-356-5185) or
see www.icgov.org/esrc for the next mobile collection
at East Side Recycling Center.