Tag Archives: green cleaning

Top 5 Tricks for Greener Spring Cleaning

  By Donna DeForbes | May 9, 2014 - 5:00 am |
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Bye, Bye Allergens Keep spring allergens and dirt out of your home by removing your shoes. According to Thank Your Body, you can eliminate 60% of toxins, such as lead dust, fungal spores, pesticides and dust mites, just by doing this one simple thing. Make it easy by installing a bench or shelf near the most commonly used door. Well-washed Windows Open your home’s windows to let in fresh air. (Discover 10 reasons why that’s a good idea.) Then you’ll want to clean them. Crunchy Betty spent some time testing homemade glass cleaner combinations and found this one to be a hands-down winner over plain vinegar. She calls it the Alvin Corn Glass Cleaner because it’s comprised of alcohol, vinegar, corn starch and water. Spray on windows and wipe clean with newspaper. Wash windows on a sunny day (easier to see streaking) in the morning before it’s hot. Clean blinds with vinegar … Continue reading →

Soap Nuts for Sustainable Household Cleaning

  By Donna DeForbes | April 8, 2014 - 5:00 am | ,
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soap-nuts

I have been curious about soap nuts for a while, and, since trying them, I have to say they are possibly the most sustainable cleaning choice you can make. Derived from a plant, these organic berries are easy to grow, non-toxic, odorless, compostable and reusable in household cleaning. What Are Soap Nuts? Soap nuts come from the Sapindus genus of trees and bushes, native to temperate and tropical regions around the world. The soap nut, which is actually the shell of a de-seeded berry, contains saponin, a natural cleaner that has been used for centuries. Their primary function is a laundry detergent. Toss 5-6 nuts in a small cloth bag into the washing machine, and you’re all set. NOTE: You will not see suds in your laundry, which is perfectly fine by me since suds are typically the product of compounds like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a toxin considered the … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Natural Cleaning Supplies

  By Donna DeForbes | March 6, 2014 - 5:00 am |
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Natural Household Cleaners | Eco-Mothering.com

This is a guest post by Paisley Hansen. Here’s an inspirational quote that says much about the “green” approach to cleaning a home: “Humans in the developed world spend more than 90 percent of their lives indoors, where they breathe in and come into contact with trillions of life forms invisible to the naked eye: microorganisms.”— Jessica Green Most microorganisms that we live with are fairly harmless, even if they are a bit gross to contemplate. But dealing with those relative few that cause illness doesn’t mean blasting them with harsh chemicals. After all, the household must also live with the residue of those same chemicals. And most of those harsh, store-bought products need to be kept away from pets and kids. Following are several ways you can clean your home with supplies that are all natural: Vinegar and Water It seems that a solution of one half vinegar to one half … Continue reading →

Natural Cleaning Solutions for Your Home

  By Donna DeForbes | October 10, 2013 - 5:30 am |
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Natural Cleaning Solutions | Eco-Mothering.com

This is a guest post from Allison Foster. When it comes to your home, you want cleaning products that are inexpensive and effective. Ideally these products would neither harm the environment nor your family’s health. Although many cleaning products on store shelves today work well, they often emit noxious fumes and contain harsh chemicals that harm the environment. Why expose the earth and your home to such toxins when there are effective organic solutions that already exist in your home? Here are some of the best cleaning agents you can use to get your home spotless while saving money, protecting the environment and keeping your kids safe: White Vinegar This all-purpose cleaner is great for removing odors from almost anything. A concentrated solution of vinegar also helps to kill germs and fungus, leaving your surfaces safe and clean. A half and half solution of vinegar and water is great for … Continue reading →

SPRING CLEANING SERIES, PART 3: Natural Cleaning Tips

  By Donna DeForbes | March 19, 2013 - 6:00 am |
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This is part 3 of my Spring Cleaning series. Read Part 1 and Part 2. When I used commercial cleaners in my home, a throbbing headache often ensued, which made me resistant to cleaning at all. Then I discovered natural alternatives, and both my house and my head are grateful. You can clean practically anything with white vinegar, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. It’s better for the earth and saves you money. Convincing my bathroom-cleaning husband to use vinegar proved a challenge, so we compromised and he uses Seventh Generation and Method products that harness less toxic, plant-based ingredients. We said “no” to using bleach a long time ago. (Bleach is ineffective, harmful to humans and lethal to animals.) Now that you’ve de-cluttered and organized your home, you’re ready to give it a thorough cleaning. Here are 12 simple, natural cleaning solutions that cover some of the basics plus a few … Continue reading →