Since having Ellie, I am extra mindful of home maintenance and what cleaning products I use inside our home. She is small and closer to the ground, so she is especially susceptible to certain environmental toxins and cleaning products. Chemicals in cleaning products can be harmful to your health and to the environment. Have you tried making your own household cleaners? UT Extension has provided information on how to make your home healthy by keeping it clean: “Green Clean.” Here are ideas on how to make your own household cleaners.
Why make and use your own green cleaners?
· Most of the ingredients you may already have in your home.
· You save money.
· Generally, green cleaners work as well as those with harsher chemicals.
· Green cleaning keeps dangerous toxins out of your home.
Ingredients you will need:
· Baking soda
· Washing soda
· Borax
· Vegetable oil-based liquid soap
· Essential oils
· Vinegar
Most cleaning jobs only need soap or detergent, water, and a little work. Some surfaces may need sanitizers or disinfectants to destroy germs. These products tend to be more toxic and should be used with care. Always label all cleaners clearly.
To make a good All-Purpose Cleaner, use 2 tablespoons borax, 1⁄4 cup vinegar, and 2 cups hot water. Mix ingredients in a spray bottle and apply and wipe clean.
To make Furniture Polish, use 1 lemon, 1-tablespoon olive oil, 1-tablespoon water. Apply a thin coat on wood surface, then buff with a soft cloth to a deep shine. This polish should be made fresh for each use.
To clean refrigerator, use 1-tablespoon baking soda and 1-quart warm water. Wipe all surfaces inside and out. Rinse well with a clean, wet cloth.
For Tub and Tile Cleaner, use white vinegar, baking soda, or non-iodized salt. Apply full-strength vinegar to a sponge and wipe surface. Next, use baking soda or salt as a scouring powder. Rub with damp sponge and rinse well with clean water.
For a Scouring Powder, mix 1-cup baking soda, 1-cup borax, and 1-cup non-iodized salt. Put in container. Sprinkle on area to be cleaned. Wipe with a sponge and rinse well.
For Grease Remover, use vinegar, baking soda, and vegetable oil. Put full-strength vinegar on surface and let set for a few minutes. Wipe clean. Repeat if stain remains. Put baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub surface. Rinse well with clean wet cloth. Grease removes grease, so put vegetable oil on paper towel and scrub. Follow up with methods (1) and (2).
A good glass cleaner is 1⁄4 cup white vinegar, 1-tablespoon cornstarch, and 1-quart warm water. Mix ingredients and apply with a sponge or spray bottle. Wipe with lint free cloth or crumpled newspaper.
For a floor cleaner, mix 1⁄2 cup white vinegar and 1-gallon warm water but avoid over wetting. Mop as usual and rinse with clean water. For heavy-duty cleaner, use 1 cup white vinegar, ½ cup washing soda, 1-tablespoon vegetable oil-based liquid soap and 2 gallons hot water. Mix and mop.
For a drain cleaner, use 1/2-cup baking soda, 1 cup white vinegar, and 1-gallon boiling water. Pour baking soda down drain and follow by pouring vinegar down drain. Allow the mixture to “foam” for several minutes then pour the boiling water down the drain to flush out the pipe.
For a good fragrance use your choice of essential oils.
Key Lime Cake
1 box lemon cake mix
1 3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 (3 oz) package lime Jell-O
3/4 cup orange juice
Mix all ingredients and divide evenly into 3 round pans, greased and floured. Bake according to cake mix instructions. For the icing, you will need ½ cup softened butter, 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, 3 tablespoons lime juice, and 4 cups of powdered sugar. Beat butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add lime juice and powdered sugar. Mix well. Spread over top of cooled cake. Submitted by Jenna Key, Night Owls FCE Club
