Natural Household Remedies

Three eco-friendly cleaner recipes to try out at your next “green party”:

Furniture polish: Combine 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice for fragrance (optional). Shake well. Dip a clean, dry cloth into the polish and rub wood in the direction of the grain. Refrigerate if you add lemon juice.

Toilet bowl cleaner: Sprinkle toilet bowl with baking soda, drizzle with white distilled vinegar. Let soak for at least 30 minutes and scrub with toilet brush. For persistent stains, let ingredients soak overnight.

All-purpose cleaner: Combine 2 cups white distilled vinegar and 2 cups water. To reduce the smell of vinegar, add 20 to 30 drops of lemon or lavender oil, available at specialty grocery stores or health food stores. Use on countertops, kitchen floors, windows, mirrors and other hard surfaces. For tough jobs, warm cleaner in the microwave until barely hot.

Source: Women’s Voices for the Earth (womenandenvironment.org)

Works great for stove tops and refrigerators if s[prayed generously on the appliance and wiped off with a damp sponge or cloth, and then wiped dry with another cloth.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp liquid castile soap
• 1/8 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 cups water
• 6 drops citrus seed extract
• 4 drops lemon, lime, orange or eucalyptus essential oil
• 1 tsp borax

Combine all ingredients in a plastic spray bottle.  Shake well before every use.

Ingredients:

• water
• vinegar
• 3-4 drops citrus essential oil

A simple mixture of equal parts of vinegar and water is the best thing for cleaning faucets.

Buildup of grime around the base can be treated with a 3-4 drops of a citrus essential oil dropped directly on the grime, then scrubbed away with an old toothbrush.