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Non-toxic Cleaning Products & Recipes

Much is currently being written about indoor air pollution resulting from harmful products used in home-cleaning. In keeping with our theme of celebrating Earth Day, these are some recipes that will not prove toxic to you, your family, or your animals. If you have recipes that you are willing

to share with our readers, send them to www.gwenshealinggarden.ca/Contact_Form.htm and we will add them to our list.

All Purpose Cleaner

¼ cup (50 mL) baking soda

1 qt. (1 L) water

Dissolve and pour into a spray bottle and use for countertops, etc.

Apply and rinse.

Cleaning Fruits and Vegetables

Add baking soda to a sinkful of cool water and immerse the fruit and vegetables. Swish around in the water to remove bugs, dirt, sprays, and pesticides. Pat the produce and fruit dry before storing.

Coffee and Tea Stains

Use equal parts vinegar and salt. Rub the stains, wash, and dry as usual.

Disinfectant

Vinegar has been proven to be even more effective than expensive commercial cleaners. When Yale-New Haven Hospital was having problems with after-surgery infections, they cleaned their scrubbing rooms with vinegar and found that it worked better than the expensive commercial cleaners they had previously used. To clean and disinfect surfaces, use full strength vinegar applied with a sponge or soft cloth, and wipe clean for a sparkly shine.

Eliminate Odours

Put a little vanilla on a cotton cloth and place in the refrigerator to eliminate food odours. Vanilla in saucers placed around a room where you have been painting, will help get rid of the paint smell. You can also use charcoal to eliminate food odours. Place a small bowl in the fridge. Charcoal used in potting soil will help with drainage and keep the soil sweet smelling. You can purchase small bags of charcoal at garden centers.

Laundry Detergent

1 cup (250 mL) pure soap flakes or powder

¼ cup (50 mL) washing soda

Increase the washing soda if the water is really hard in your area.

Mildew

Wipe areas where mildew forms with white vinegar. This will kill the mildew fungus.

Sink Cleaner

Use a few shakes of baking soda, scrub, and rinse with hot water. Alternatively, you can pour a few drops of vinegar in the sink, rub, and rinse with hot water. If you wish, you can mix both together, scrub, and rinse.

(See Non-toxic Alternatives For Everyday Cleaning And Gardening Chores for more recipes and information. To order book, click here: Books.

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