Budget-friendly Green cleaning

My friend Shaunna Privratsky is not only a writer and author of several books, she is the self-proclaimed Discount Diva. And she has proved to be just that with her articles on budgeting and decorating on a budget.

I am so happy to share with you her contribution to green living with budget-friendly, home-made products for green cleaning.

* Laminate Floor Cleaner #1
Mix equal parts: vinegar , rubbing alcohol and water
No rinsing required!

* Laminate Floor Cleaner #2
Use empty 20 oz. floor cleaner bottle
2 tablespoons ammonia
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
1/2 tablespoon dish soap
Water to fill bottle

* Carpet Cleaner
Mix 6 capfuls of Hydrogen Peroxide in 1 gallon of water
Blot, don’t scrub

* Homemade Soft Scrub

Mix 1 cup shampoo or dish soap with ½ cup baking soda

* Mirror and Chrome Cleaner
Use empty spray bottle
Rubbing alcohol

* Shower Curtain Cleaner
Soak in strong salt solution,
hang to dry
Or: scrub with 1 cup vinegar and two capfuls shampoo
Or: run through with load of white clothes in the washer
Hang to dry

* Hard water Stain Remover
Let denture tablet soak overnight
Rinse

* Mystery Stain Remover [not for granite]
Capful of automatic dishwasher soap
1 teaspoon baking soda

* Clothing Stain Remover
1 cup clear or white dish soap
Mix in 1 teaspoon salt, any kind
Let sit for 15 minutes or more
Wash and dry as usual

* Shower Soap Scum Remover #1
Use spray bottle
Mix 1 cup vinegar
2 tablespoons baking soda
Scrub
Rinse

* Shower Soap Scum Remover #2
Spray with inexpensive oven cleaner
Ventilate room
Let sit for 30 minutes or one hour
Rinse

* Odor Removers for spraying surfaces:
Mix equal parts vinegar and water
[acid in the vinegar destroys odor-causing mildew]

* For containers or rooms:
Place small dishes of
baking soda
coffee grounds
rolled up newspapers
cotton swabs dipped in vanilla

* Other uses for Baking Soda
Apply to damp sponge and clean

- In the kitchen
Sinks
Counters
Appliances
Cutting boards
Microwave ovens

- In the Bathroom
Tubs and showers
Sinks
Toilets
Counters
Tile floors and walls

- Household deodorizing - Sprinkle right from the box
Litter boxes
Garbage pails
Diaper pails
Disposals and drains
Dishwasher between loads
- Laundry Freshening
Add 1/2 cup along with usual laundry soap for fresher clothes

- Personal care
Refreshing bath or foot
soak: add 1/2 cup to warm water to soothe and condition
dry skin

- Baby care
Apply to damp sponge, clean and rinse
High chair
Car seat
Changing table
Bath tubs
Toys
Play seats
Swings

* Other uses for vinegar
- Cleaning coffee pot
Run through cycle using vinegar instead of water
Rinse with cycle of water

- Cleaning germs:

Toys
Phone
Door handles