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Green cleaning products for tough stains

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Remove red wine stain

 

Stains happen. However, many cleaning products available in stores contain toxic chemicals that are dangerous to you and the environment. They’re also expensive! There are several highly effective, safe homemade stain removers that will knock out even the toughest stains. Remember, it’s always best to tackle a stain as soon as possible. When that’s not reality these super-stain fighters can still work their magic:

Soap and Hydrogen Peroxide:

Mix one part Dishwashing Liquid Soap with two parts hydrogen peroxide. Either combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and spray on a cloth, douse the stain directly with the mixture, or allow washable items to soak in it prior to throwing them in the washer. This is a serious, all-purpose stain remover. For an even stronger formula, add a few tablespoons of baking soda. Old red wine stains, dirt, chocolate, yellow armpit stains, and other food stains will start to disappear in front of your eyes. Rub the mixture into the stain with a cloth or toothbrush and let it sit for about an hour, dab away the foam, and launder if necessary. This is also effective on carpets and non-washable items, including mattresses. Again, rub it in, allow it to sit, and dab away foam.

Coarse Salt and Lemon Juice or Coarse Salt and Club Soda:

Coarse salt works especially well for stains on hard surfaces. Are your counter tops discolored from an old tomato sauce stain or a red wine spill? Cover the stain with salt, moisten the salt with lemon juice, let sit for several minutes, and then scrub. Pour salt over urine and vomit stains on hard surfaces as well. Scrub and then rinse with club soda. For coffee or soda stains on the carpet, cover with coarse salt, allow the salt to soak up any liquid, and then vacuum. Good as new!

White Vinegar and Baking Soda:

Nix carpet stains by creating a paste of distilled white vinegar and baking soda. Use a toothbrush to work the mixture into the carpet fibers. Let it dry and then vacuum the paste up. Old stains may require more than one treatment. This is also effective on pet stains, particularly pet urine, as it deodorizes too.

Baking Soda, Liquid Dish Soap, Water, and White Vinegar:

You don’t need a heavy duty cleaner to eliminate stains and mildew in your bathtub and on tiles. Instead, combine 1 1/2 cups of  baking soda, 1/2 cup of liquid dishwashing soap, and 1/2 cup of water. Just prior to using the scrub, add a few tablespoons of distilled white vinegar. Wait until the last minute, or the vinegar and baking soda will cause a reaction. Apply the mix, scrub, and wipe clean. Baking soda can be used solo to soak up greasy stains or even added to your laundry detergent to boost its effectiveness.

Cream of Tartar and Hydrogen Peroxide:

Clean rust stains from sinks, porcelain and fixtures or revive discolored aluminum pans by making a paste of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide. Let it dissolve the stains, scrub, and rinse with warm water. When you’re unsure of what a stain is, gently rubbing this paste on the stain and rinsing will work in many cases. You can even use cream of tartar on its own to clean tiles. Let it settle and then wipe it off.

Do you have any other recipes for a homemade stain remover?

 

 

 

 

Tips for cleaning if you have allergies

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Allergy-Proof Home

Your home is supposed to be a sanctuary, but if it’s a cause of allergic symptoms it becomes a source of discomfort. Maintaining daily housekeeping chores will eliminate dust, pet dander, pollen, mold, and other undesirable housemates. Keep your house clean to diminish allergy symptoms and use the right products to avoid further irritation.

While the person in the household suffering from allergies should avoid extensive cleaning, this isn’t always a reality. Contacting a green cleaning company, particularly if your house needs a deep clean or you can’t keep up with the maintenance, can be an enormous help. Times when you have to go it alone, you will want to:

  • Wear a dust mask and plastic gloves. Shower after the job and wash the clothes you wore in hot water.
  • Use a damp microfiber cloth to catch dust before it starts circulating in the room.
  • Invest in a vacuum with a High Efficiency Particulate Air Filtration System, or HEPA. Unlike standard vacuums, one with a HEPA filter will catch airborne allergens, such as dust mites, and will not re-release them into the air. Vacuum regularly and wash area rugs. It’s also helpful to have your carpet shampooed occasionally. When vacuuming pay attention to corners and move furniture.
  • Allergy-proof pillows, mattresses, and box spring with dust mite-proof covers. A washable mattress will protect you even further.
  • Wash bed linens at least once per week in hot water.
  • Clean curtains, blinds, and shades. During allergy season keep the windows closed and use air conditioning. Wipe any condensation and mold from the window sills.
  • Dust and clean furniture, such as bookshelves, dressers, and tables.
  • De-clutter frequently. Store items, like children’s toys, in plastic containers.
  • Immediately wash your dishes after each use. Don’t overlook the sink, garbage disposal, and faucets either. This will prevent mold.
  • Wipe down your refrigerator and throw away old food. See our post for tips on cleaning your refrigerator.
  • Put trash in a can with an insect-proof lid and take it out daily. Disinfect that trash can.
  • Don’t allow clutter to accumulate on kitchen countertops. disinfect counters and cabinets with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water to avoid irritation. Add lemon if you’d like to neutralize the smell. Move appliances and empty the toaster pan to banish crumbs. Also, clean out your oven drip pan regularly.
  • Store plastic bags and food in sealed plastic containers.
  • Use a towel to dry the shower after each use. Regularly scrub the shower, faucets, sinks, toilets, and tubs with green cleaning products. Wash shower curtains, rugs, and bath linens in hot water frequently.
  • For areas such as the basement, repair leaks and water damage. Store all items in sealed containers.

Now that you have the basics for allergy-proofing your residence, keep in mind that many conventional cleaning products contain irritants. Avoid anything that lists the following ingredients:

  • Formaldehyde
  • Ammonia
  • Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs)
  • Chlorine bleach
  • Sodium lauryl sulphate
  • D-limonene
  • Butyl cellosolve
  • Sodium hypochlorite
  • Naptha
  • Fragrances
  • Sulfuric acid
  • Lye
  • Phosphates
  • Hydrochloric acid
  • Triethanolamine (TEA)

Remember, if you’re ever in doubt about a product, call the manufacturer. Making homemade green cleaning products (all labeled) is the best route. Follow this guide for a cleaner, safer, and allergy-proof home.

 

 

Green cleaning products for your bathroom

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Bleach has been a favorite household cleaner, especially in the bathroom. Though it keeps sinks and bathtubs and other porcelain fixtures spotless and germ-free there are a few green cleaning products that you can use instead

Most bleach contains chlorine, which has powerful whitening and antimicrobial properties. However, its impact on your bathroom comes with negative consequences for you and the environment.

  • When used with vinegar or ammonia, it can emit toxic gases.
  • Industrial-grade solutions emit air and water pollutants that kill off land and aquatic life.
  • Anyone who swallows or touches bleach can suffer major health problems, some of them fatal.

Luckily, there are other ordinary cleaning products you can use to disinfect the bathroom in a way that is safe to your health and the environment. Here are some of them:

Hydrogen Peroxide: People have been treating cuts and scrapes with this product for years, and its antibacterial properties also make it a safe way to sanitize your bathroom. Hydrogen peroxide also has the great whitening effects, but without the toxic fumes.

White Vinegar: Normally used as a cooking ingredient, vinegar is a mildly acidic natural product that is great for killing germs in your bathroom. It also has an unpleasant smell, however, so if that bother you, mix the vinegar with warm water, or add a few drops of lemon juice to create a fragrant bathroom cleaner.

Baking Soda: Sodium bicarbonate (the chemical name for baking soda) is used for everything from cooking and extinguishing grease fires to brushing teeth and curing indigestion. It also neutralizes odors and controls fungus growth, making it a perfect cleanser for use in the bathroom.

If you want to eliminate the risks associated with chlorine bleach, use these other common eco-friendly cleaning products to keep your bathroom spotless all over.