Thursday, May 29, 2008

Green cleaning


I've been thinking a lot lately about saving money and being healthier by cleaning the "green" way. And not by buying "seventh generation" or cleaning products from Trader Joe's, but the natural green way. You know, white vinegar and water, baking soda, lemon juice, all that stuff. But I have NO idea how to do it, or how to make it! Does anyone have any recipes for natural cleaning formulas that actually work? I know vinegar and water for glass surfaces (what ratio?), but I also need something that's great for kitchen counters, and bathrooms. Any helpful hints?


I do have to admit though...it's going to be really tough to give up my clorox cleanup. I use that stuff on EVERYTHING (here's to hoping my unborn child doesn't have some strange head tumor thanks to my use of it...). And another thing: I probably won't give up my verymostfavoriteever cleaning product: Bar Keepers Friend. OH MY GOSH THIS STUFF IS AMAZING! It's like a miracle powder. I have an old ceramic or porcelain or whatever-it's-called kitchen sink, and the marks pans make on there drive me crazy, and are impossible--or exhausting at the very least--to get out. With Bar Keeper's Friend, (and I am not exaggerating here) I pour a little powder on the wet sink, and LIGHTLY, no pressure at all, rub it out with a rag, and the marks are gone! It even got rust out from around my drain! The other thing it's great at getting out is the soap scum around my bathtub. I HATE soap scum, and it is like a MAJOR workout to get it out, and I usually give up half way around the tub. This stuff takes out at least 50% of the effort for me. And the best part? It's 2.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. However, I am guessing that it is not exactly the greenest of cleaning products. It probably causes cancer, holes in the ozone, or creates a carbon footprint the size of Alaska. But I don't know, and honestly, I don't really care. I will happily live in ignorance...unless, you know, I grow a third hand or something....

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I might just have to go get some of that there Bar Keepers Friend. I HATE cleaning the shower. I thought I would love the idea of a seperate tub and shower. Ugh! Just means there are TWO to clean in that bathroom.