Green Genies Natural Cleaners

guide to natural cleaners
Treat the Earth well,

It was not given to you by your parents,
It was loaned to you by your children.
Indian Proverb
the green genies | guide to natural cleaners
Copyright 2012 ~ TheGreenGenies.com
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introduction
On my 50th birthday I suffered from the worst migraine I had ever experienced. For over
35 years I exerienced migraines 1-3 limes a monlh, some Iasling for 2 and 3 days. ver lhe
years I tried every diet and medication imaginable with little or no relief. At this point in my
Iife I had come lo accel lhese eisodes as normaI for me, bul lhe severily of lhis arlicuIar
migraine really scared me. Two weeks before my birthday my friend Alice had sent me a
Ieael aboul environmenlaI sensilivilies. AIice has suffered from exlreme hysicaI reaclions
to fragrances and other chemicals for many years and her overall health had steadily
decIined due lo environmenlaI sensilivilies. I briey scanned lhe ages and lhoughl lo
myseIf, I'm so gIad lhal I don'l have lhese robIems. A fev days afler my birlhday I look a
second Iook al lhis Ieael and vilhin lhe veek I sloed using aII commerciaI cIeaning and
ersonaI care roducls reIaced lhem vilh a handfuI of non loxic, inexensive roducls.
I senl severaI days gIued lo my comuler and GoogIe. I vas shocked and horrihed
to to discover that in the United States manufacturers of household cleaning products
are not required to disclose the contents of their products to the consumer. Cleaning
and ersonaI care roducls are misreresenled lo lhe ubIic as being safe vhen
used as recommended by the manufacturer. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Knovn carcinogens, neuroloxins, and IelhaI oisons are combined, ackaged and soId
for cIeaning our homes and bodies. Il vas incomrehensibIe lo me lhal lhousands of
lhese comounds have been researched, sludied and found lo be loxic, dangerous and
deadIy, yel lhey conlinue lo be used in roducls found in aImosl every American home.
With just a handful of natural ingredients I replaced every commercial cleaner
and detergent I had been using in my home. I found that using natural household
cleaners is simple and economical. There are a number of natural cleaners that
are bio-friendly and far more effective than their toxic commercial counterparts.
These cleaners have been used for generations and break down into the water and
soiI vilhoul causing damage lo humans, viIdIife, Ianl Iife or Larlh's eco-syslem.
This guide took form over the past months of playing with these natural cleaning
ingredients. It is my desire that the recipes and ideas contained in this guide will help you
to make simple changes in your daily life to reduce toxic chemical exposure in your life.
Lslher ~ aka MommaGenie
February 2012
.s. I am gralefuI lo reorl lhal I am migraine-free for lhe hrsl lime in my aduIl Iife.
the natural cleaners
According to the National Research Council, no toxic information is available for more than 80% of the chemicals
in everyday-use products. Only 1% of toxins are required to be listed on labels, because companies classify their
formulas as trade secrets.
Lorie Dwornick, researcher, educator and activist, 2002
ba_ing soda (bicarbonate of soda)
Baking soda is a chemical salt with many practical household uses.
Due lo ils aIkaIine roerlies, baking soda acls lo neulraIize acids and
slabiIizes H IeveIs. This neulraIizing quaIily makes baking soda an
effeclive deodorizer.
Baking soda is an essential clean green helper and a star player in
many of my cIeaning recies. Iree of loxic chemicaIs, baking soda is
inexpensive and effective. I always have several large boxes on hand of
this all-purpose green stand-in for household and personal use.
vinegar
While vinegar is my ~1 cIean green heIer. Like baking soda, vinegar
is non-loxic, inexensive and effeclive in muIliIe aIicalions for
household and personal use. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and
deodorizer and il is comIeleIy safe for use vilh chiIdren, els and
people with allergies and chemical sensitivities.
For years I resisted using vinegar for cleaning because the smell is so
slrong, vhal I did nol reaIize vas lhal once vinegar dries lhe smeII
completely disappears. Problem solved! I now use vinegar daily for
cIeaning, Iaundry and ersonaI use.
IIease D NT use vinegar for cIeaning marbIe or lraverline oors or
liIe. AIlhough marbIe is a slone, il has a sofl and orous surface and can
be damaged quite easily by acids like lemon juice and vinegar.
Cancer rates have continued to
increase every year since 1970.
Brain cancer in children is up
40% in 20 years. Toxic chemicals
are largely to blame.
NY Times
hydrogen peroxide (H
2
O
2
)
Hydrogen Ieroxide is commonIy avaiIabIe in 3/ and 6/ veighl
concentrations as a clear solution. While there are many genuinely green
cIeaners lhal are harmIess, hydrogen eroxide has lhe dislinclion of
acluaIIy being good for our rivers, Ianls and ground valer. Hydrogen
eroxide breaks dovn inlo valer and oxygen, il does nol gel any
greener lhan lhal!
The oxidizing roerlies of hydrogen eroxide make il an exceIIenl
reIacemenl for chIorine bIeach, ammonia, and olher harmfuI chemicaIs.
Hydrogen eroxide can be used lo cIean, disinfecl, sanilize, and bIeach
|usl aboul anylhing. Hydrogen eroxide does nol Ieave a residue and il is
completely safe for use around children and pets.
There are several strengths of hydrogen peroxide available. Food grade
hydrogen peroxide is readily available and may be diluted for many
aIicalions. IersonaIIy, I have onIy used lhe 3/ soIulion commonIy
available at any drug or grocery store and have found this to be adequate
for my needs.
Please note to always keep hydrogen peroxide in its original dark plastic
or gIass conlainer. Lxosure lo Iighl viII degrade lhe olency of lhe
oxygen content.
TII: Allach a sray nozzIe direclIy lo lhe brovn quarl conlainer of
hydrogen peroxide for spray applications.
borax (sodium borale, sodium lelraborale)
Borax is a boron compound that has been known to humans for
lhousands of years. oron is an imorlanl eIemenl lhal heI Ianls uliIize
caIcium and has been used since lhe MiddIe Ages lo make ollery and
glassware.
WhiIe borax is a naluraI eIemenl, il does need lo be handIed vilh caulion
and kept out of reach of children and pets. Borax is safe in diluted
soIulions, bul can be very harmfuI vhen ingesled.
washing soda (sodium carbonale, saI soda, soda ash)
Nol lo be confused vilh baking soda, vashing soda is a highIy aIkaIine
(H 11) comound lhal binds lo lhe mineraIs lhal make valer hard,
allowing soap to clean fabric without any residue. Washing soda is
effeclive al descaIing mineraI deosils. Like borax, vashing soda is
a natural element that has been used for centuries dating back to the
ancienl Lgylians.
WhiIe vashing soda is nol lhe besl aII-urose cIeaner, il is mosl usefuI
in the laundry and also very good at dissolving grease or waxy deposits.
I use washing soda as an ingredient in my homemade automatic
dishwasher powder and laundry detergent recipes.
Safety Warning: Washing soda can cause skin irritation and can be
dangerous in large amounts. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Do nol use vashing soda on hbergIass, aIuminum, vaxed or varnished
surfaces - the strong alkalinity will cause damage to these surfaces.
salt (sodium chloride)
WhiIe nol a ma|or Iayer in my naluraI cIeaning arsenaI, labIe saIl
does several things quite effectively - particularly as a scrubbing agent.
Simple table salt is very cheap and safe for the environment in moderate
amounts. Please be aware when using salt for cleaning that it is very
drying to the skin and I do recommend wearing gloves to protect your
hands. Salt is a key ingredient in my homemade soft scrub recipe and
automatic dishwasher powder!

150 chemicals found in the home
have been linked to allergies,
birth defects, cancer, and
psychological disorders.
Consumer Product Safety
Commission
soap
ChemicaIIy, soa is a saIl of fally acids. Soas are made by combining
oils or fats (acids) with an alkaline solution of lye (wood ash). When the
acids and the alkaline combine this creates a chemical reaction known as
saonihcalion resuIling in lhe fals converling inlo free fally acids. LarIiesl
records of soa-making dale back lo ancienl abIyon, 22OO C. NaluraIIy
made soas, free from synlhelic ingredienls, have been safeIy used for
cenluries for balhing, cIeaning and Iaundry.
InforlunaleIy, loday mosl commerciaIIy made soas are made vilh
inexensive hIIers, harmfuI chemicaI addilives and synlhelic fragrances,
resulting in harsh detergents rather than wholesome natural soap.
I am a huge fan of Dr. Bronners liquid and bar soaps. Dr. Bronner
has been making clean and natural castile (olive oil based) soaps for
a very long time and over the years they have consistently produced
a vonderfuI, safe, high quaIily soa. Ior vashing dishes I use Dr.
Bronners peppermint organic liquid soap.
When urchasing soa Iook for soas made vilh naluraI ingredienls, free
of synthetic fragrances. I prefer soaps made with vegetable oils assuring
the products are cruelty free.
pumice
Pumice is a type of volcanic rock that is light and airy in composition.
Pumice is widely used commercially in many applications as a natural
abrasive. I purchase pumice sticks in the grocery store in the cleaning
aisle - they are inexpensive and last a good long time.
lemon juice
Lemons are a gift from nature and can be used as fragrant household
cIeaner in a variely of aIicalions, arlicuIarIy as a safe and genlIe
degreasing agent.
the recipes
Since 1950, at least 70,000 new chemical compounds have been invented and dispersed into our environment.
Only a fraction of these have been tested for human toxicity. We are, by default, conducting a massive clinical
toxicology trial, and our children and their children are the experimental animals.
Herbert L. Needleman, M.D., Philip J. Landrigan, M.D., Raising Children Toxic Free
bac_ground
When I made the decision to eliminate all commercially made cleaning
roducls from my home, I honeslIy did nol have a cIue vhal I vouId
use lo reIace lhem. As a naluraI born do-il-yourseIf kind of gaI, I sel
oul lo hgure oul hov I couId make my ovn cIeaners. Armed vilh lhe
informalion and recies I galhered, I began lo make my ovn cIeaning
products. The following collection of recipes are the result of months of
trial and error and tweaking the ingredients until I was happy with the
resuIls. Hay cIeaning!
scrubby paste
As a recovering Sofl Scrub addicl, I vas delermined lo hnd a suilabIe
natural alternative. This quest would take months of trial and error. I
lried using dry baking soda as a cIeanser srinkIed in my sink or lub, bul
I was not happy with the results. I then combined baking soda and table
saIl, beller, bul nol greal. I conlinued for monlhs of lriaI and error and
experimentation until I formulated the following recipe.
WhiIe lhis recie is suer simIe, Iease make sure lo foIIov lhese
instructions exactly as written. Baking soda does funny things when
mixed with water and soap. The proportions of the ingredients need to be
exact and mixed in a particular order or you will have a clumpy mess!
directions
1. Place 1 cup of baking soda in a mixing bowl.
2. Add 1/2 cup of water and mix until baking soda and water are
well combined.
3. Add 1/2 cup of table salt and 1/4 cup liquid soap (I use Dr.
Bronners Liquid Peppermint Castile Soap) and mix ingredients
until a paste forms.
4. Store in airtight containers (I recycle plastic yogurt or cream
cheese containers).
When combined, chemicals are
even more dangerous. Deadly
fumes result from mixing
ammonia with bleach (both
found in many household
products) creating lethal
mustard gas!
U.S. Government, E.P.A.
uses
balhlub slove lo kilchen sink
oven slove lo even a faciaI scrub
ols and ans hard valer on shover doors
scouring powder
If you are like my mom - who loves a dry scouring powder - just mix
up 1 cup of baking soda with 1/2 cup of table salt and use just like the
commercial scouring powders.
automatic dishwashing powder
ingredients
1 cu borax
1 cu vashing soda
112 cu labIe saIl
Place ingredients in a container and shake to mix. Use 1 tablespoon
per load.
Pour 1/2 - 3/4 cup of vinegar directly into the bottom of my dishwasher
before starting the wash cycle. You can also add vinegar to the rinse
dispenser. Vinegar keeps your glasses shiny and it also helps with cutting
grease during the wash cycle.
wood cleaner and polish
Dam mo vood oors vilh a soIulion of one arl vinegar lo one arl
water.
Wood Polish #1
Mix one arl Iemon |uice and one arl oIive oi. Rub vilh a sofl rag on
vood furnilure and oors.
Wood Polish #2
Mix one arl vinegar lo one arl vegelabIe or oIive oiI. Rub vilh sofl rag
on vood furnilure and oors.
powder detergent
ingredients
1 cu graled bar soa (I refer Dr. ronner's bar soas for urily)
112 cu Washing Soda
112 cu orax
Mix ingredienls lhoroughIy and use 1 labIesoon for a Iighl Ioad
and 2 tablespoons for a heavily soiled load.
Note: I made this formula by cutting up the bar of soap into small
pieces and then putting the pieces into a food processor to grate down
into almost a powder. I only made this once as I much prefer the liquid
detergent recipe.
liquid detergent
ingredients
1 cu or 1 bar of graled soa - (I refer Dr. ronner's bar soas
for purity)
112 cu Washing Soda
112 cu orax
16 cus of hol valer
directions
In a large pot:
MeIl lhe soa in 6 cus of valer.
Add lhe vashing soda and lhe borax slir unliI meIled.
Iour 4 cus of lhe hol valer inlo lhe buckel, add soa mixlure
and stir. Add remaining hot water to bucket and stir.
If desired, add essenliaI oiIs lo mixlure and slir.
AIIov mixlure lo sil for 24 hours. Mixlure viII lurn inlo a geI.
Store in covered containers. (I save empty gallon vinegar containers
to store laundry detergent.)
NOTE: The geI has a lendency lo searale, lhis is normaI as lhere are no
emuIsihers in lhe formuIa. }usl make sure you shake veII before using.
Liquid dish soap is the leading
cause of poisonings in the home
for children under the age of
six (over 2.1 million accidental
poisonings per year). Most
brands of liquid dish soap
contain Formaldehyde and
ammonia.
United States House of
Representatives Report, 1989
directions for use
Ironl Loading Machine: IiII lhe delergenl recelacIe
To Ioading machine: Ise 112 cu er Ioad.
Note: This detergent does a great job of cleaning normally soiled
Iaundry. If you have a arlicuIarIy soiIed Ioad, add 114 lo 112 cu
of borax and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of washing soda to the load
IMPORTANT: Vinegar in the rinse cycle is a must to prevent clogging
of ies or machine arls, eseciaIIy if you are using soas made from
animal fats. I only use soaps made from vegetable oils and have never
encountered a problem.
NOTE: I have aIso used Dr. ronner's Iiquid soa as a Iaundry soa,
especially for delicates and also for hand washing. You only need to use a
small amount. Be sure to add white vinegar in the rinse!

fabric softener
ingredients
1 cu baking soda
1 cu vhile vinegar
2 cus valer
8-1O dros of essenliaI oiI
directions
Ise 114 cu in rinse cycIe.
Ior sheels and loveIs add 112 cu of baking soda lo lhe vash
cycle and they always come out soft.
NOTE: If you have a selic syslem you MIST use vinegar in your rinse if
you are using soaps made from animal fats for laundry.
fabric starch
ingredients
2 cus of valer
2 labIesoons of cornslarch.
directions
Mix and Iace in sray bollIe.
Shake before each use.
Misl cIolhes vilh Iiquid slarch before ironing.
all purpose cleaner
ingredients
4 labIesoons of vhile vinegar
2 leasoons of orax
2 cus aImosl boiIing valer
directions
Add ingredienls direclIy inlo a 32 oz sray bollIe in lhe order
above to make sure the borax completely dissolves.
AIIov lo cooI and shake unliI borax is comIeleIy dissoIved.
Add 114 cu of Iiquid soa (I use Dr. ronner's Liquid
Peppermint Castile Soap)
Add valer lo hII conlainer, shake veII.
concentrated recipe
Follow directions above using a 1/2 gallon container with:
314 cu of vhile vinegar
8 leasoons of orax
3 cus aImosl boiIing valer
This is a miId and effeclive aII urose and oor cIeaner. Ise lhe
concenlraled version in a buckel for moing oors and for generaI
cIeaning, ad|usling lhe ralio of concenlraled cIeaner lo valer deending
on the cleaning project.
In the past 50 years more than
75,000 chemicals have been
introduced into the environment.
Today 300 synthetic chemicals
are found in the bodies of
humans. Even newborn babies
have synthetic chemicals passed
on from their mothers.
REACH, a European Union
program
window cleaner
ingredients
16 oz of vhile vinegar
16 oz of valer
directions
Add ingredienls direclIy inlo a 32 oz sray bollIe
Ise on gIass and mirrors. If desired use nevsaers for a
slreak-free hnish.
natural air fresheners
Making your ovn naluraI air fresheners is fun and suer simIe. You can
make your own elaborate scent creations or just keep it simple to one or
two ingredients.
LssenliaI oiIs are naluraI disliIIalions of Ianls and overs. Some
essenliaI oiIs can be quile ricey, bul a IillIe goes a very Iong vay. I
usuaIIy aIvays have on hand eerminl, Iavender, rosemary and cilrus
oils. They are readily found online or in your local health food store.
Ior a simIe sray air freshener use a sray bollIe - one lhal has a hne
misl srilzer-lye sray nozzIe vorks besl - hII vilh valer and add 4-5
dros of essenliaI oiI er ounce of valer, shake and use. If you vouId Iike
a stronger scent add more oil until you are happy with the results.
AIlernaliveIy, you can reIace 113 of lhe valer vilh vodka. I kee a bollIe
of cheap vodka on hand for my fragrance sprays. The alcohol helps to
disburse lhe oiIs inlo lhe air and il aIso inlensihes lhe scenl of lhe oiIs.
My favorile air freshener combinalion is eerminl oiI and vaniIIa
extract. Add 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract and 30 drops of peppermint
oiI lo 4-6 oz of Iiquid. Ad|usl roorlions unliI you are hay vilh lhe
results.
While vinegar removes odors naluraIIy on surfaces and in lhe air.
aking soda absorbs odors.
Simmer sices and1or dried cilrus rinds on lhe slovelo in a an of
water and the fragrance will be released.
LssenliaI oiIs can be used as sray fresheners or burned in an
aromatherapy diffuser.
eesvax candIes scenled vilh naluraI essenliaI oiIs as an
aIlernalive lo heaviIy scenled synlhelic arafhn vax candIes.
WhiIe nol exaclIy vhal ve consider lo be air fresheners houseIanls
are a perfectly natural way to clean and freshen the air in our homes. In
lhe Iale 198O's NASA conducled sludies on lhe effecls of Ianls in indoor
spaces. They discovered that while certain plants were better than others
for absorbing common indoor oIIulanls, aII Ianls had roerlies lhal
were useful to improve indoor air quality.
The following is a list of the most effective plants for keeping the air in
your home clean naturally:
1. IhiIodendron scandens `oxycardium', hearlIeaf hiIodendron
2. IhiIodendron domeslicum, eIehanl ear hiIodendron
3. Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana', cornslaIk dracaena
4. Hedera heIix, LngIish ivy
5. ChIorohylum comosum, sider Ianl
6. Dracaena deremensis `}anel Craig', }anel Craig dracaena
7. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii', Warneck dracaena
8. Iicus ben|amina, veeing hg
9. Liiremnum aureum, goIden olhos
1O. SalhihyIIum `Mauna Loa', eace IiIy
11. IhiIodendron seIIoum, seIIoum hiIodendron
12. AgIaonema modeslum, Chinese evergreen
13. Chamaedorea sefrilzii, bamboo or reed aIm
14. Sansevieria lrifasciala, snake Ianl
15. Dracaena marginala , red-edged dracaena
More than 7 million accidental
poisonings occur each year,
with more than 75% involving
children under age 6!
The Columbia University
College of Physicians &
Surgeons
the cleaning applications
According to the National Research Council, no toxic information is available for more than 80% of the chemicals
in everyday-use products. Only 1% of toxins are required to be listed on labels, because companies classify their
formulas as trade secrets.
Lorie Dwornick, researcher, educator and activist, 2002
carpet cleaning
I have owned a home carpet steam cleaner for many years and over the
years I have tried all kinds of different cleaning solutions in my steamer
and I am happy to say that the best cleaner I have used is plain white
vinegar. I use 1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water in my steamer and the
resuIls are fabuIous. The vinegar cIeans, neulraIizes odors and Ieaves lhe
carpet super soft. If the carpets are really soiled or the pets have left their
mark, I viII relreal lhe soiIed areas and bum u lhe vinegar lo 1.5 or 2
cups per gallon.
carpet stain removal tips
Light Stains
DissoIve 2 labIesoons of labIe saIl in 112 cu of vhile vinegar. Rub
solution into carpet and allow to dry. Vacuum when dry.
Dark Stains
Dissolve 2 tablespoons of table salt and 2 tablespoons of borax in
112 cu of vhile vinegar. Rub soIulion inlo carel and aIIov lo dry.
Vacuum when dry.
Tough Stains
Make a asle vilh 1 labIesoon of corn slarch and 1 labIesoon of
vinegar. Rub asle inlo slain and aIIov lo sel for 2 days. Vacuum and
repeat if necessary.
chrome and stainless steel
Spray undiluted white vinegar onto surface and buff with soft cloth to
bring out the shine.
More than 7 million accidental
poisonings occur each year,
with more than 75% involving
children under age 6!
The Columbia University
College of Physicians &
Surgeons
cutting boards and countertops
Hydrogen eroxide is food safe and comIeleIy residue-free,
making it my #1 choice for cleaning and disinfecting kitchen counters.
Hydrogen eroxide viII nol duII lhe shine or harm lhe oIished surface of
granite counter tops.
Wipe cutting boards or countertops with full strength white vinegar
afler each use. The acelic acid in lhe vinegar is effeclive againsl L. coIi,
Salmonella and Staphylococcus.
deodorize and neutralize household odors
IIace an oen box or smaII bovI of baking soda in lhe back
of the fridge.
SrinkIe baking soda on lhe bollom of lrashcans.
Deodorize sinks, drains, and garbage disosaIs by ouring 112 cu
of baking soda down the drain with running water.
Ireshen cIosels by Iacing an oen box of baking soda on a sheIf.
Deodorize el beds by srinkIing baking soda on bedding - vail 3O
minutes and then vacuum.
Deodorize killy Iiller by srinkIing baking soda on lo of Iiller
after cleaning.
Deodorize shoes by srinkIing baking soda inlo shoes in belveen
uses. Shake out baking soda before wearing.
disinfectantanti-bacterial
Hydrogen eroxide viII kiII moId, aIgae, viruses, and bacleria. Sray
or apply to any surface and allow to sit for 10 minutes or just allow to
dry naluraIIy. During coId and u season I Iike lo sray door knobs and
faucet handles with hydrogen peroxide often!
drains
To uncIog drains, our 112 cu baking soda inlo drain foIIoved by 1 cu
of vinegar. When foaming subsides, ush vilh hol valer. Afler 5 minules
ush vilh coId valer. Ior sIov drains, our 112 cu of labIe saIl inlo
sink followed by 2 cups of boiling vinegar. Flush with hot water and then
ush vilh coId valer.
dusting
Microhber cIolhs are fanlaslic dusl removers as lhey effecliveIy remove
dust without making the dust airborne. Toss the cloth into the laundry
afler use. A good quaIily microhber cIolh viII Iasl for years.
glassware, crystal, china
When hand washing add vinegar to your rinse water or add 1/4 cup of
vinegar to the rinse cycle of your dishwasher.
_itchen de-greasing
Wie dovn greasy slove and counlers vilh a songe died in
undiluted white vinegar or lemon juice.
urned on grease and food slains can be removed from slainIess
sleeI ans by hIIing ol vilh valer and adding 1 cu of vinegar,
enough to cover stains. Add more vinegar for larger pots. Boil for 10
minutes. The stains will come off when you scrub the pan clean.
Most laundry detergent contains
a form of NTA. NTA is a
substance we may reasonably
anticipate to be a carcinogen.
The Merck Index
laundry
Add 112 cu of baking soda lo baIance lhe H of lhe vash valer
and your cIolhes viII be cIeaner, fresher, sofler and brighler. You can
aIso add 112 cu of baking soda lo lhe rinse cycIe for sheels, loveIs
and especially smelly clothes.
A cu of vinegar in your vash cycIe viII kiII bacleria lhal may be
resenl. Greal for diaers, sheels, and chiIdren's cIolhing.
A cu of vinegar in lhe vash cycIe viII naluraIIy soflen and
deodorized your Iaundry.
Adding a cufuI of vinegar lo lhe rinse cycIe viII kee cIolhes slalic
and lint free.
Adding vinegar lo lhe rinse cycIe viII kee soa and delergenl
build up from clogging your washing machine.
Slo reds from running! Soak nev brighlIy coIored garmenls in a
sink with 2-3 cups of white vinegar for 10-15 minutes before their
hrsl vashing. Dyes viII be ermanenlIy sel and viII never run.
ReIace aII coIor bIeach vilh 112 cu of vinegar in lhe vash cycIe.
Remove chemicaIs from chiIdren's garmenls by adding 1 cu of
vinegar lo lhe vash cycIe vhen vashing for lhe hrsl lime.
Whilen dingy vhile socks vilhoul bIeach by adding 2 cus of vhile
vinegar to 3 quarts of water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Pour
solution into a bucket and add your dingy socks. Allow socks to
soak overnight and then wash normally the following day.
While socks can be boiIed in a saucean vilh a fev sIices of fresh
lemon to whiten.
Adding 112 cu of Iemon |uice lo lhe vash cycIe viII naluraIIy
bleach and brighten your fabrics.
laundry stain removal
Mosl slains lrealed vhiIe sliII vel can be easiIy removed. nce a slain
has dried il becomes increasingIy more difhcuIl lo remove. Immediale
soaking of fabric in water and rubbing stain with bar soap before
laundering will remove just about any fresh stain.
Stains on cottons can be treated effectively by sponging the area
with undiluted white vinegar and washing as soon as possible. For large
stains you can soak the garment overnight in a solution of 3 parts vinegar
to 1 part water and then wash as normal.
112 lo 1 cu of borax added lo lhe vash cycIe viII boosl cIeaning
power of laundry soap or detergent. Adding borax will soften hard
water.
Mix 1 arl valer lo 2 arls borax and make a asle. AIy asle
direclIy lo slain and aIIov lo sil for 3O minules, Iaunder as usuaI.
laundry stain removal tips
Oil Stains
Rub bar soa inlo lhe slained area and Iaunder as usuaI.
Perspiration Stains
Soak soiled area in white vinegar for 30 minutes and launder as usual.
Blood Stains
Spray area with undiluted hydrogen peroxide and the blood will
quickly disappear.
marble and stone floors
MarbIe and slone oors are vonderfuI naluraI and durabIe surfaces for
indoor ooring, hovever lhey viII slain easiIy vhen cIeaned vilh acids
Iike vinegar or Iemon |uice. Hydrogen Ieroxide added lo Iain valer
makes an exceIIenl soIulion for moing marbIe oors.
Of the chemicals found in
personal care products: 884
are toxic, 146 cause tumors,
218 cause reproductive
complications, 778 cause acute
toxicity, 314 cause biological
mutations, 376 cause skin and
eye irritations.
United States House of
Representatives Report, 1989
mattress stains and odors
Dampen stain with water and rub some dry borax into stain. Allow to
dry. Reeal as necessary.
microwave ovens
IiII a gIass bovI vilh a soIulion of 112 cu vinegar and 1 cu valer. Run
the microwave on the highest setting for 5 minutes. Allow the bowl to
cool and then dip a sponge in the liquid and easily wipe clean the interior
of splatter and stains.
mildew stains
AIy undiIuled vhile vinegar lo miIdev slains from hxlures, liIe,
cIolhing, furnilure, Iaslic curlains, refrigeralor.
mirrorswindows
I kee a bollIe hIIed vilh 1OO/ undiIuled vhile vinegar for mirrors and
Iaundry slains. Sray 1OO/ undiIuled vhile vinegar on mirrors. CIean
with dry cloth. Use crumpled newspaper to remove any streaks.
refrigerator
Make a soIulion of 1 arl valer lo 1 arl vhile vinegar lo safeIy cIean
the inside of your refrigerator. Use undiluted white vinegar to remove
mildew. Use undiluted vinegar to wipe down the grime on the top of
your refrigerator.
Use undiluted hydrogen peroxide to clean and disinfect interior and
exterior walls of refrigerator.
rust remover
Mix 1 arl borax and 2 arls valer inlo a asle and add some Iemon |uice.
Rub inlo melaI and aIIov lo sil for a fev minules and rinse. Reeal as
necessary.
silver cleaner
Clean silverware and silver jewelry by soaking for 3 hours in a solution of
112 cu vhile vinegar and 2 labIesoons baking soda. Rinse vilh valer
and dry with a soft cloth.
toilet bowl cleaning
Remove hard valer slains in lhe loiIel bovI by scrubbing lhe orceIain
with a pumice stone.
For routine bowl cleaning: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda into the bowl
and then add 1 cup of white vinegar. Stand back and enjoy the show -
scrub dovn lhe bovI vilh a bovI brush and ush cIean.
Ior cIeaning lhe loiIel seal, rim, handIe and lank: Sray eilher undiIuled
vhile vinegar or hydrogen eroxide on surfaces, aIIov lo sil for a fev
minutes then and wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge. Both vinegar
and the hydrogen peroxide are effective at disinfecting and killing
harmful bacteria.
More than 32 million pounds of
household cleaning products are
poured down the drain each day
nationwide. The toxic substances
found in many of these are not
adequately removed by sewage
treatment plants. Guess what
happens when these are returned
to the rivers from which cities
draw their drinking water?
CCA Newsletter Partners
Cleaning Without Toxic
Chemicals

Green Genies Natural Cleaners

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