HI ALL
I've heard about this forum from a cobber in Vic, There is plenty of info on the net covers just about anything of interest.
I'm into liberating it to!! I've put this together from various sources
lternative Home Cleaning Solutions
In an effort to cut down the number and toxicity of the chemicals I use around the house, I've stocked up on a few safe, simple ingredients that can be used in most cleaning situations.
Table of contents
* Basic ingredients
o Baking soda
o Corn starch
o Soap (not detergent)
o Borax
o White vinegar
* When something a little more aggressive is needed.
o Isopropyl Alcohol
o Washing Soda (SAL Soda, sodium carbonate decahydrate)
o Citrus solvent
o Trisodium phosphate (TSP)
* Cleaning
o All-purpose cleaner
o Mold and mildew
o Dishwashing
o Dishwasher Soap
o Oven cleaner
o Laundry
o Glass cleaner
o Cleaning porcelain and fiberglass
o Drain cleaner
o To clean a teakettle
o To clean pots and pans
o Fire extinguisher residue
* Disinfectant
* Removing stains
o Carpet stains
o Wine and alcohol stains
o Blood stains
* Deodorizing
o Cooking odors
o Refrigerator odors
o Spilled milk odors
o Drain and garbage disposal odors
o Garbage pail odors
o Odors around the house
o Urine odors
o Toilet bowl odors.
o Humidifier odors
o Carpet odors
* Keep clean without running water
Basic ingredients
Baking soda
* Cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
Corn starch
* Cleans, deodorizes, scours. Use to clean windows, polish furniture, clean carpets and rugs.
Soap (not detergent)
* Unscented liquid, flakes, powders or bars.
Borax
* Cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors. I keep some in an open container next to the kitchen sink, ever ready to dip a dish cloth into to clean a pot, the counter, etc. It makes a good non-abrasive alternative to scouring powder.
White vinegar
* Cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up. I keep mine handy in a spray bottle.
When something a little more aggressive is needed.
Isopropyl Alcohol
* A disinfectant. Use with care - there is evidence it can cause illness.
Washing Soda (SAL Soda, sodium carbonate decahydrate)
* Cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. Be careful, washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.
Citrus solvent
* Cleans paint brushes, oil and grease, some stains. Use with care; may cause skin, lung or eye irritations.
Trisodium phosphate (TSP)
* A mixture of soda ash and phosphoric acid, it can be used on many jobs, such as cleaning drains or removing old paint. Use with care; TSP is toxic if swallowed.
Cleaning
All-purpose cleaner
Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.
Mold and mildew
A mixture of lemon juice or white vinegar and salt can be used to clean up mold and mildew. Or try mixing one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold and mildew. Wait at least one hour before rinsing or using shower.
Dishwashing
Use liquid soap (not detergent). Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of vinegar to the warm, soapy water for tough jobs. Use borax instead of a dry cleanser to clean pots and pans. Borax is not abrasive. Wash fine china in a solution of borax and warm water. Rinse well. Towel dry. The china will sparkle.
Dishwasher Soap
Mix equal parts of borax and washing soda, but increase the washing soda if your water is hard.
Oven cleaner
Try a paste of baking soda, salt, and hot water.
Laundry
To freshen and brighten laundry and remove soils and stains add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of borax to each load together with the recommended amount of laundry detergent. For stains, presoak for half an hour. Borax also works to condition hard water.
For delicates, hand wash in a solution of 1/4 cup of borax and 1-2 tablespoons of detergent in a basin of warm water. Rinse in cool water, blot with a towel, and lay flat to dry.
Glass cleaner
To clean glass I spray on white vinegar and wipe dry.
Cleaning porcelain and fiberglass
Wipe with borax on a damp sponge, rinse, and wipe dry.
Drain cleaner
Try pouring a quarter cup of baking soda down the clogged drain, followed by a half cup of vinegar. Close the drain tightly until fizzing stops, then flush with boiling water.
To clean a teakettle
I discovered this one by accident. To brew a pot of pine needle tea instead of pouring hot water over pine needles in a teapot, I tossed the whole branch in the tea kettle and brought it to a boil. The tea was delicious. A few brews later as I was removing a branch to put in a fresh one for the next brew I noticed the lime deposits in the kettle were soft and mushy. With a bottle brush and good rinse the deposits came right off the kettle. So there you are. Cut a branch off your favorite eastern white pine tree, wash it well, and toss it in the kettle to boil for a while. Voila!
To clean pots and pans
I saw this tip somewhere but haven't tried it yet. To clean a stubborn pot or pan put some water and a little baking soda in the bottom of the pot or pan and bring it to a boil. Let it soak overnight and then wash it in the usual way.
Fire extinguisher residue
To clean up dry chemical fire extinguisher residue use:
* Vinegar & water for the bicarbonates
* Alcohol for the silicates
Disinfectant
Mix 1/4 cup borax with 1/2 gallon hot water. Use for wiping surfaces.
Removing stains
Carpet stains
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.
Wine and alcohol stains
Dissolve 1/2 cup of borax in a pint of water. Sponge on the solution and wait a half hour. Then shampoo the stained area. Let dry and vacuum up the borax. The sooner these stains are addressed the better.
Blood stains
Get to work right away. Remove blood stains as soon as you find them. Try this. Use cold water. Hot or warm water will cook the blood and set the stain. If the stain is fresh, soak with cold water, scrub with a clean brush and blot dry. Repeat until the stain is gone. If the stain has been there a while try rubbing in shampoo, let it sit a while, scrub with a clean brush, then rinse with cold water. Repeat as necessary. For blood stains older than 24 hours, soak the material in cold water for about 1 hour then proceed as above.
Deodorizing
Cooking odors
Simmer vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) on the stove while cooking to absorb cooking odors. To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe with vinegar and rinse.
Refrigerator odors
Wash the refrigerator with a solution of borax and water. Rinse well.
Spilled milk odors
To neutralize spilled milk odors, dampen the spot and rub borax on. Let it dry then brush or vacuum up the borax.
Drain and garbage disposal odors
To eliminate drain and garbage disposal odors put 2-3 tablespoons of borax in the drain, let stand for about 15 minutes, then flush with water with the disposal on. Borax neutralizes acidic odors.
Garbage pail odors
Wash the garbage pail with a solution of borax and water. Sprinkle some borax in the bottom of the pail to keep it fresh.
Odors around the house
A mixture of baking soda with vinegar or lemon juice placed in small dishes will absorb odors around the house. Houseplants can help too.
Urine odors
To neutralize urine odors, dampen the spot and rub borax on. Let it dry then brush or vacuum up the borax. Use to neutralize pet urine odors also.
Toilet bowl odors.
Add 1/4 cup of borax to the bowl. Swish it about with the toilet brush and let stand 30 minutes (or overnight).
Humidifier odors
Wash with a solution of borax and water. Rinse well before refilling for use.
Carpet odors
Baking soda and cornstarch are both good carpet deodorizers.
Keep clean without running water
With some baking soda, a little vinegar, and a gallon or so of water it's possible to keep your body and hair clean when away from a source of running water. While boondocking in an RV for instance and you want to extend your stay.
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Alternative Household Cleaning Solutions
for Septic System Owners
Many of the ready-made solutions we purchase to clean and maintain our homes contain poisonous or toxic chemicals. While the labels on these products contain signal words (caution, warning, danger or poison) to alert us about proper use or potential harm, many do not list the chemical ingredients in the product or hazards associated with the chemical. These chemicals can damage the effectiveness of your septic systems by killing the bacteria that breakdown the sewage sludge in your septic system.
There are safer alternative cleaners. The basic ingredients listed below can be mixed or used alone for many household cleaning tasks. Also, in the event of an accident, these ingredients can be identified by most consumers and healthcare professionals.
SELECTED BASIC CLEANING INGREDIENTS
Ingredient
General Use
Baking Soda
cleaner, deodorizer, fire extinguisher, scouring powder
Boiling Water
drain cleaner
Borax
cleaner, disinfectant, laundry aid, water softener
Lemon
cleaner
Salt&
cleaner
Soap
cleaner
White Vinegar
cleaner, deodorizer, grease cutter
Washing Soda
cleaner, laundry aid, grease cutter, stain remover, disinfectant
The following "recipes" offer less toxic alternatives to common cleansers.
ALL PURPOSE CLEANERS
1. Mix 1 teaspoon borax with 1 quart of warm water. Add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to cut grease.
2. Mix 2 teaspoons borax and 1 teaspoon soap in 1 quart of water. Can be stored in a spray bottle.
3. Mix 3 tablespoons of washing soda per quart of warm water.
DISINFECTANT
1. Mix ¼ cup borax in 1/2 gallon hot water.
DRAIN CLEANERS
1. Prevention is the best method. Use a drain strainer. Do not pour grease down the drain.
2. For maintenance, pour about 1 gallon of boiling water down the drain weekly.
3. Pour ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup vinegar down drain. Close drain tightly until fizzing stops. Flush with one gallon boiling water.
FLOOR CLEANERS
1. Wood or vinyl floors – mix ¼ cup oil soap with 1 gallon of warm water.
METAL POLISHES
Brass, Bronze, and Copper
1. Mix equal amounts of salt and flour with a small amount of vinegar. Rub with a soft, damp cloth. Rinse and polish with a dry cloth.
2. Make a paste of lemon juice and salt and rub with a soft cloth; rinse with water and dry.
3. Use a slice of lemon sprinkled with baking soda. Rub brass with the lemon slice; rinse with water and dry.
Silver
1. Rub with a paste of baking soda and water.
2. Place a piece of aluminum foil to cover the bottom of pan. Add 2 to 3 inches of water. Add 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt per quart of water and bring to a boil. Add silver pieces and boil 2 to 3 minutes. Make sure the water covers the silver pieces. Remove silver, rinse, dry, and buff with a soft cloth.
OVEN CLEANERS
1. Prevention. Put sheet of aluminum foil on the oven floor. Be careful not to touch the heating element.
2. Mix 3 tablespoons of washing soda per quart of warm water. Spray on and wait 20 minutes. Scrub with a fine steel wool pad if necessary.
TUB, TILE AND TOILET CLEANER
1. Use soap and sponge, or a stiff brush and one of the following: baking soda, borax and salt.
WINDOW AND GLASS CLEANERS
1. Mix 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a spray bottle. Wipe off with cleaning cloth.
WOOD POLISHES
Think Ill go get nosey elsewhere
Collect your tit bits where ya find um I say
Hoss
E G M
