Green Tips
- Make your own non-toxic cleaning supplies:
- Glass: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Spray on glass and wipe clean with old newspaper or a lint-free cloth.
- Countertops & Tile: Mix 2 parts vinegar and 1 part baking soda with 4 parts water. Apply with a sponge, scour, and wipe away.
- Floors: Mix 4 cups of white distilled vinegar a gallon of hot water. Add a few drops of pure peppermint or lemon oil. The smell of vinegar will dissipate quickly, leaving behind the scent of the oil.
- Wood Furniture: Mix equal parts of lemon juice and olive oil. Apply a small amount to a cloth, and rub onto the furniture in long, even strokes.
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Sprinkle a toilet brush with baking soda and scrub. Occasionally disinfect your toilet by scrubbing with borax instead. Wipe the outside of the toilet clean with straight vinegar.
- Disinfectant: Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar, 3 cups hot water, and 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use a spray bottle. Wipe clean.
- Mold and mildew: Wipe with straight vinegar.
- Air freshener: Sprinkle essential oil on a cotton ball and place in a room. Lavender is relaxing and great for bedrooms. Cinnamon, clove, and citrus oils work well for the house. Try peppermint in the car to help you to stay alert.
- Swap out your Swiffer. Instead of continually buying expensive single-use mop pads, invest in a reusable mop.
- De-clutter your life. Donate gently worn items to charity and old fabric for your rag collection. When storing clothes for the season, replace mothballs by stuffing a single sock with cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and whole cloves and tie it at the end.
- Add some greenery. Houseplants act as living air filters. The most efficient air-cleaning houseplants include spider plants, english ivy, rubber plants, and peace lilies. You’ll need 15 to 18 medium-sized houseplants for an 1,800 sq ft house. If that sounds like a lot, place a few plants in the room where you spend the most time.
- Hang dry laundry. Install a clothesline in your backyard. If space is an issue, look for a retractable clothesline. Dry your clothes outside to reduce pollution, energy, and get more exercise. It extends the life of your clothes.
- Paint your walls green. Consider the VOC content of paint. VOC's, or Volatile Organic Compounds, are chemicals that form vapors at room temperature. Some VOC’s, like the ones in many paints, contribute to indoor air pollution, and can cause a host of short and long-term health problems.