MAKING A CLEAN LIVING

Image Gallery ILLUSTRATION BY JULIETTE BORDA

EARTH DIARY

Make your own natural, effective, and inexpensive cleaners.

As more people strive to better both the environment and their health, many are turning to alternative cleansing products in order to escape chemical-filled brand names. While it's not easy to make all the necessary switches at once, there are solutions within reach. The homemade products below are easy to make, and you can buy all of the ingredients at any grocery store. Mix them, put them in a pump spray bottle, grab a rag, and get to work.

GENERAL PURPOSE CLEANER:

•Mix vinegar with salt and water; spray.
•Combine ¼ cup of baking soda and one tablespoon of water to form a paste.

•Combine two tablespoons of ammonia, 2 tablespoons liquid detergent, and one quart of warm water; spray.

BATHROOM CLEANER:

• ½ cup bleach and one cup of water will remove mildew from tile. Put on a stain and let sit for five minutes; rinse with clean water.

•Vinegar and water removes mildew and mold from shower curtains.

•Borax and lemon juice cleans and deodorizes the toilet.

UNCLOG DRAIN:

•Mix one cup baking soda, one cup salt, and one cup of white vinegar. (It will fizz.) Let it sit for 15 minutes then pour it into the clogged drain. Pour in several cups of boiling water.

OVEN CLEANER:

•Scrub oven with baking soda, salt, and water paste.

•Sprinkle baking soda on stains and scrub after five minutes with a damp cloth. Do not let the baking soda come into contact with any of the oven's wires or heating elements.