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Cleaning Up


Today was the day to replenish my cleaning supplies.  With the mini financial crisis brought on by Mike’s medications and his position in the donut hole, we have been looking at ways to cut back on expenses.  And of course I have been a follower of Green Clean: the Environmentally Sound Guide to Cleaning Your Home (Melcher Media, 2005) for a few years now.

I also usually have an abundance of lavender and thyme in my garden and I can use those herbs in some of the homemade cleaners.  I put a cup or so of lavender flowers and a cup or so of thyme sprigs in a quart jar and then fill with white vinegar.  Some times I use sage or mint, too.  After that steeps for a couple of days, I strain the vinegar into a spray bottle.  It is an effective disinfectant.

I use this for a daily shower spray.  If you give the tile or tub enclosure a good scrub to start with, this will keep the soap scum at bay a bit longer between major cleanings.  Put 1/2 cup white vinegar, 2 teaspoons of borax, 1 tablespoon of liquid castile soap (I like Eucalyptus scented), and 20 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle.  Fill with hot water.  Spritz away.

And did you know that you can fill a spray bottle with club soda and use it as a window cleaner.  Mike says club soda is meant for mixing with Canadian whisky and should not be wasted on house hold drudge tasks.  Some are just not willing to go all the way for green living.
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Comments

  1. LindaJuly 31, 2012 at 5:36 PM

    Very interesting. I don't know as much as I should about green cleaning.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sally WesselyJuly 31, 2012 at 5:40 PM

    I'll have to try the lavender and thyme recipe for disinfectant. I love using green solutions when I can.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Muffy's MarksJuly 31, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    Mike is right...club soda belongs in a drink. I green clean also, but I only use water and Norwex washing and polishing cloths. Nothing else. The combo cloths are expensive, but with not buying anything else they are a bargain. Google Norwex and let me know what you think!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. TaborJuly 31, 2012 at 6:10 PM

    I do think we should be moving away from harsh chemicals. They may work but I think eventually they ruin finishes and they are not good for the lungs of those who live in the house.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MuffieJuly 31, 2012 at 6:45 PM

    I'm with Mike! Next you'll be wanting me to use my scotch to scrub the floor! JK! I really do like homemade cleaners.
    Peace,
    Muff

    ReplyDelete
  6. MargaretJuly 31, 2012 at 10:38 PM

    I am going to print these all off. More tips, please!

    ReplyDelete
  7. A Healing RealityAugust 1, 2012 at 12:09 AM

    Thank you for posting. Does the lavender and thyme overpower the vinegar scent? I have become more interested in making green household cleaners. Can't beat the money you save!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Connie NelsonAugust 1, 2012 at 12:20 AM

    I haven't heard of the lavender and thyme. Do you think rosemary would work? I have that. I like the orange peels in vingegar I use, but this sounds interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  9. JuneAugust 1, 2012 at 7:44 AM

    I admire people who make their own cleaning supplies. I don't do it, although I know how to do some of them.
    When I was a kid and it was time to put on the big heavy wood-framed storm windows, we washed them with vinegar and polished them with newspaper. They just shone!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Arkansas PattiAugust 1, 2012 at 7:23 PM

    I really am going to try that shower spray. Great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  11. RianAugust 2, 2012 at 9:52 AM

    I'm not familiar with club soda, but I would have thought it would be 'sticky'on windows???

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownAugust 3, 2012 at 2:46 AM

    Thanks for sharing this important information with us. Waiting for more updates from you.
    We supply residential cleaning services.
    residential cleaning Australia

    ReplyDelete

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