The WAHM Home Companion

Time tested household tips, from various sources, for busy Work Women At Home!

Here are some "GREEN" household tips for cleaning. Most household cleaning products can be created with a few simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Check out this list of basic elements and their uses.

The Basics:
•baking soda – a great product for mild scrubbing and polishing.
•kosher salt – a more heavy duty abrasive for scrubbing.
•vinegar – a natural alternative to ammonia.
•olive oil and mineral oil – the perfect furniture polish.
•lemon juice – a fresh alternative for deodorizing.

With these simple ingredients, some newspaper, towels, sponges and
brushes, you can cross some of those expensive and toxic cleaners off
your grocery list.

Recipes:
•Glass, Mirror & Window Cleaner – mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with a gallon of water (distilled water is best if you intend to store the mixture for future use) and pour into a spray bottle. Spray onto the glass surface as you would a commercial glass cleaner. Wipe dry with newspaper to eliminate streaking caused by paper towels.

•Mild Cleanser – mix baking soda with enough water to form a paste and use to scrub sinks, countertops, porcelain and tile.

•Heavy Duty Cleanser – sprinkle kosher salt onto a wet sponge and use to scrub stubborn stains on sinks, pots and pans.

•Furniture Polish – mix one cup mineral oil with one cup white vinegar and apply to wood furniture by rubbing on with a clean, soft cloth.

•Toilet Bowl Cleaner – sprinkle some baking soda into the bowl, and follow with some white vinegar. Scrub using a toilet brush to clean and deodorize. To eliminate rings, pour a cup of white vinegar into the bowl and allow to sit overnight before flushing.