Clean and Green: Get Your Home Sparkling Safely

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By mia bolaris-forget

A self-professed “neat freak”, one of my favourite pastimes, though I’m rarely there, is cleaning and decorating my home. And, while cleanliness may be close to Godliness, it can also be hellacious on your health, especially if you’re using cleaning products that contain “contaminants”, and that’s likely most of them.

So, what’s a girl to do? Go au naturale with some of nature’s best cleaning products that will leave your home and your health sparkling.

· Scrub your troubles away: This all purpose scrub is an natural alternative to what most of us are using. Combine ½ baking soda into a bowl and add just enough castile or natural liquid soap to form a creamy paste. Next, spread the mixture on the flat side of a cut lemon and scrub. The lemon takes on the role of a sponge plus it offers the added advantage of a fresh citrus scent. A damp rag or sponge can be used to clear the residue. And, the paste will last for a few hours.

· Get the mold out: Remove mold with straight up vinegar of a combination of vinegar diluted in a little be of water. Te-tree oil is great when it comes to natural fungicides which can also help disinfect surfaces. Experts suggest a combination of 2 teaspoons with 2 cups of water. Whiten stained tiles or grout using ½ cup hydrogen peroxide and 1-cup water, allow to dry then rinse or wipe with a damp cloth.

· Tidy up your tub: Rub and dub dub with some vinegar or tea tree oil which can remove mold, prevent growth and eliminate soap scum. A word of caution…tea tree oil is pricier than tea tree oil, and the latter may cause an allergic reaction if it comes in contact with skin.

· Out, out damn spot: Remove carpet stain by pouring a little soda water onto a fresh spill and blotting with a towel. Just make sure you don’t rub, since that may mat the fiber. For stains that have set try a hint of hydrogen peroxide. Pour some onto a clean, white towel or cloth and blot the carpet. Wait for 15 minutes and blot with a clean cloth.

Long Island Green Living Articles > Clean and Green: Get Your Home Sparkling Safely