Share and Voice 4: Spring Cleaning is JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

I babysit/house sit for a family that lives in Two Harbors.  Everytime I am out there and need to clean up dog poop/kid vomit/spilled juice,  I have to go to the cleaning cabinet and get the necessary supplies.  About 2 years ago, when I started babysitting, I noticed this little family only uses home made cleaning supplies!!  The mother said it was safer in the event her kids got into it, and it was better for the environment.  I thought it was pretty cool that they have been doing what they can to make a contribution. 

Being college students and all, I am assuming that we all have some spring cleaning coming up to either avoid a damage fee in our rental homes, or to move out of student housing.  Instead of spending a ton of money on cleaning supplies, raid your house/apartment for the 4 main ingredients, and then STOCK PILE them until spring.

It will save you money on the expensive toxic cleaning supplies, and help save the environment!!

Annie B. Bond posted a blog on How To Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit.  Here is some of my favorite "recipes" from her blog!

SUPPLIES 
Baking soda
Washing soda
White distilled vinegar
A good liquid soap or detergent

CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER

Simply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn’t leave grit.

Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you need at a time.

WINDOW CLEANER
1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
Spray bottle

Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.

ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
A dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.