Housekeeping With A Clean Conscience

Author Ellen Sandbeck’s book Organic Housekeeping really drives home the concept that we need to lose the antibacterial cleaners, caustic drain cleaners and chlorinated cleansers!  They can be harmful to your family and the planet.  Instead common household staples can be substituted and will help you turn out a sparkling, clean abode!  Here are some highlights from her book…

• Window Cleaner…Use a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. The first time you wash windows using this solution, add a couple drops of dish soap to rid of the film left by earlier commercial cleaners.
• All-Purpose Cleaner…White vinegar works well to clean toilets, sinks, floors and other surfaces. Keep it in a spray bottle and the best part is no residue is left after a wipe with a cloth.
• Laundry Soap…Mix equal parts of borax and washing soda (sodium carbonate)
• Drain Cleaner… Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1 cup of white vinegar. When the fizzing stops pour boiling water down the drain.
• Floor Cleaner… Fill a bucket with hot water; add 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 drop of liquid dish soap or Murphy Oil Soap.  To discourage ants, add a pinch of borax. Don’t rinse. Or combine ¼ cup of baking soda, ½ cup of white vinegar and 1 cup clear ammonia in 1 gallon of hot water.

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