All these ingredients can be bought inexpensively from your local supermarket.
There are just THREE things
to remember to green clean.
REDUCE
◆
BE SMART
◆
THINK SAFE
REDUCE the use of household cleaners by buying less, using less and
looking for natural, safer alternatives.
BE SMART when you shop, read the label to avoid buying the more
toxic product and buy only what you need.
THINK SAFE when handling and storing cleaners and dispose of
them legally and safely.
Natural cleaning or ‘green cleaning’ is a way to clean your home with
fewer cleaning products and safer alternatives – producing less
waste and reducing the need for harmful chemicals.
Most homes contain many more
household cleaners than we really
need.These cleaners create
packaging waste that is disposed
in landfill and the chemicals in
the cleaning products can
damage human health and the
environment.
But we don’t need to use all these
cleaning products to have a clean
house.To clean well, cheaply and
safely throughout the home,
all you need are the
following basic ingredients
(plus a little elbow
grease).
your
natural cleaning kit
how to
green clean
Bicarbonate of Soda
(Baking Soda)
cleans,
deodorises,
softens
water and is
a good scouring
powder.
Keep in a flour
shaker to
keep it dry.
Lemon juice is a mild
bleach, a
deodorant
and a
cleaning
agent.
Washing Soda
cuts grease and
removes stains.
Borax is a naturally
occurring mineral
salt. It cleans,
deodorises,
bleaches and
disinfects. Borax
is also used to
control pests
such as ants and
cockroaches.
White vinegar
cuts grease
and is a deodoriser
and mild disinfectant.
Mix half and half
with water and
store in a spray
bottle.
Pure Soap is a
general purpose cleaner
that biodegrades
completely.
The
Easy guide
to
natural cleaning
The
Easy guide
to
natural cleaning
Safe and effective cleaning ideas
Safe and effective cleaning ideas
Clean your home safely
Clean your home safely
There are many good publications on green cleaning and natural alternatives to chemical cleaners.
Try your local library, the Australian Consumers Association, your local environment centre or the
Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) on 131 555
All-
purpose
cleaner
Warm water mixed with
pure soap or white
vinegar is a cheap and
easy general cleaner for
throughout the home.
In the bathroom
TOILET CLEANER Make a paste from
borax and lemon juice for cleaning non-septic
toilet bowls.
CERAMIC CLEANER Clean tiles,
sinks, toilets and baths with bicarbonate
of soda using a damp cloth.
MIRROR CLEANER Apply eucalyptus oil
with a wad of newspaper to prevent mirrors
fogging.
your
recipes
'They’re safe, smell good and really work.'
In the living room
CARPET CLEANER Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on carpet before
vacuuming to deodorise. It’s also a great stain remover. Just vacuum or
brush up when dry.
WINDOW CLEANER Add half a cup of vinegar to a litre of warm
water for an effective window cleaner. Wash the window first with warm
soapy water if especially dirty. Use crumpled newspaper moistened with vinegar
to get a beautiful sheen.
In the laundry
BLEACH Use one cup of lemon juice in a half bucket of water and soak
overnight, or substitute half a cup of borax per washload to whiten whites
and brighten colours.
STAIN REMOVER Use eucalyptus oil to remove stains before washing.
Simply apply a few drops and let it evaporate.
LAUNDRY DETERGENT To make a cheap, environmentally friendly and
safe laundry detergent, mix one third of a cake of pure soap (grated) with one
third of a cup washing soda. Dissolve in hot water in a bucket and top up with
water. The mixture will set to a soft gel. Use 2-3 cups per wash.
In the car
BATTERY CLEANER Clean battery terminals with a mixture of 2 teaspoons of
bicarbonate of soda with 1 litre of water and apply generously. Vaseline smeared
around the base of the terminals will prevent further build up.
POLISH Give your car a normal wash. Allow it to dry, then sprinkle
cornflour over the duco. Polish it in and off to give that extra sheen.
CHROME POLISH Use flour or bicarbonate of soda using a dry, clean cloth
TAR REMOVER Moisten a cloth with eucalyptus oil and rub clean.
SOME MORE HINTS Get rid of that new car smell by wiping vinyl surfaces with
a strong solution of vinegar, and air well. A soft cloth moistened with vinegar is great for
cleaning windscreens and windows. An open container of bicarbonate of soda absorbs
odours, especially doggy and stale cigarette smells. And don’t forget to wash your car on the lawn!
In the kitchen
SURFACE CLEANER Use bicarbonate of soda on a damp
cloth to clean benchtops, sinks, windows and your refrigerator or
freezer surfaces.
DISHWASHING DETERGENT Use pure soap to wash
dishes and add white vinegar to the rinse water to give glasses an
extra shine.
OVEN CLEANER Avoid caustic oven cleaners. Wipe the oven
down while still warm with a soapy cloth.
ISBN 1 74137 297 6 2005/125 Printed on recycled paper
