b'Alternative Water-Kind Cleansers for your Home Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit! Assemble a few spray bottles, empty jars, and the basic ingredients:baking soda (for scouring and deodorizing), white vinegar (removes mildew, odors, bacteria, and scale from hard water), borax and washing soda (degreases, cleans), citrus solvent (cleans oils and grease, some stains), lemon juice (removes gums, tarnish and dirt), and lemon and tea tree oil (disinfectant).Any of the above ingredients can be safely mixed together.Label clearly and store out of the reach of children.Note: There are also many non-toxic commercial cleaners available on the market made with these same ingredients. All Purpose Cleanser:Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2 tsp borax and 1-2 tsp tea tree oil or lemon in 1 quart spray bottle of very hot water. Shake vigorously.Add more borax for disinfecting. Bleach: Use oxygen bleaches, borax, or let the sun bleach your fabrics on an outdoor clothesline. Also try an old-fashioned bluing product to whiten whites. Carpet Stains: Immediately apply club soda or equal parts white vinegar and water, blot dry, repeat, then clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water. Deodorizers: In your refrigerator and other closed spaces, use an open box of baking soda.Sprinkle it on carpets and upholstery, wait 15 minutes, then vacuum. Simmer cinnamon and cloves, or place white vinegar in open dishes. Drain Cleaners:Instead of chemical cleaners, use a plunger or a plumbers snake. Then add 1/4 cup baking soda followed by 1/4 cup vinegar. Wait 15 minutes, and rinse with 2 quarts of boiling water. Caution: do not use this method after trying a commercial drain openerthe vinegar can react with the chemicals to create dangerous fumes. Dusting:Use 1/4 cup white vinegar per quart of water and apply with a tightly wrung soft cloth, or use a micro-fi ber dusting cloth. Floor Cleaner: Add 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup borax to hot mop water; rinse with 1/2 cup white vinegar in clear water. For vinyl fl oors, simply add 1 cup vinegar to mop water. Glass Cleaner:Mix 2 Tbsp vinegar and 2 tsp lemon juice and 1 tsp liquid soap in 1 quart warm water. Shake well, spray on, then buffwith crumpled newspapers. Metal Polish: Silver: Line a pan with aluminum foil and fi ll with water; add 2 tsp each of baking soda and salt. Bring to a boil and immerse silver. Polish with soft cloth.Brass or Bronze: polish with a soft cloth dipped in a lemon juice and baking soda solution. Copper: soak a cotton rag in a pint of boiling water with 1 Tbsp salt and 1 cup white vinegar.Apply to copper while hot; let cool, then wipe clean. Mildew Remover: Make a solution with 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup borax and 1 quart of very hot water. Spray on and leave for 10 minutes.Wipe clean. Or add 2 tsp tea tree oil in 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. For grout, mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on mold. Wait at least one hour before rinsing. Paint Brush Cleaner:For oil-based paints, use citrus-based solvents available commercially. Scouring Powder: Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Rub gently.Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar, pour into bowl, let stand, and brush well. Wood Polish: Rub with 1 Tbsp of lemon oil mixed with one pint olive oil. Buffwith soft cloth. Page 34 bluepages.indd 34 8/26/2009 1:51:21 PM'