Steep Hill Cleaners
Eco-friendly household products
From the Steep Hill News, June 1995
Deodorizer:
An open box of baking soda, cedar chips, cinnamon and cloves.
Drain Cleaner:
Use a plunger followed by 50 ml of baking soda and 125 ml of vinegar. Let sit 15 min., then rinse with boiling water. A plumber's snake can also be used. The best alternative is prevention by inserting a screen in the drain and avoiding flushing hair down the toilet.
Furniture Polish:
15 ml of lemon oil mixed in 500 ml of mineral oil.
Dust Cleaner:
50 ml of white vinegar mixed in 1 liter of water, apply with a soft cloth.
Glass Cleaner:
30 ml vinegar mixed in 1 liter of water.
Carpet Spot Cleaner:
Apply club soda immediately, blot dry and repeat. Sprinkle with cornmeal or cornstarch and vacuum after 30 minutes.
Come Clean But Stay Green
excerpted from The Green Magazine and from the Steep Hill Record, November,1993
The next time you need to clean - think green! Reach for some simple, non-toxic ingredients and do yourself and the environment a favor.
For The Kitchen
Automatic Dishwashing Detergent:
Mix 250 ml borax with 125 ml baking soda. Works reasonably well and is phosphate free
Brass and Copper Polish:
Make a paste with lemon juice and baking soda. Rub on with a soft cloth, then rinse well and dry.
To Remove Burned On Foods:
Dampen spot slightly and sprinkle well with baking soda. Leave overnight and scrub clean with plastic scrubber.
In The Bathroom
Basin, Tub and Tile Cleaner:
Sprinkle surfaces with baking soda, washing soda or borax. Scrub with a dampened sponge.
Grout, Mold and Mildew Cleaner:
Wipe with a cloth dipped in white vinegar, and scrub tile grout with an old toothbrush to remove old growth and prevent new infestation.
Glass Cleaner:
In a spray bottle mix one part white vinegar to one part water. Spray on glass or mirrors and wipe dry with a rag or crumpled newspaper.
In The Laundry Room
Laundry:
Use soap flakes or non-phosphate detergent. If clothes are heavily soiled, add 75 ml washing soda or 125 ml borax to the soap.
Stain Remover:
Scrub with a paste made from soap flakes and warm water before washing.
Fabric Softener:
Add 50 ml white vinegar to the final rinse cycle
In The Living Room
Carpet Cleaner:
Sprinkle cornstarch on dry carpet (it absorbs dirt and grease). Wait five minutes then vacuum thoroughly.
Carpet Deodorizer:
Mix 500 ml cornmeal with 250 ml borax and sprinkle on the carpet. Leave for 15 minutes or longer, then vacuum.
Furniture Polish:
For wood that is stained, varnished or painted: wipe with olive oil and dry with a clean cloth. For varnished wood: mix 30 ml olive oil with 15 ml white vinegar and one L water in a spray bottle. Spray wood lightly then dry with a clean cloth.