Helpful Cleaning tips
Air
Freshener:
Simmer cinnamon sticks and or cloves
Furniture
Polish:
2 Tbsp lemon juice
10 drops of (real) lemon oil
A few drops of jojoba oil
Two parts olive oil
One part lemon juice
Drain
cleaner:
½
cup of white vinegar
½
cup of baking soda
Cover
tightly 1 minute then flush
Next
½ cup of salt
½
cup of baking soda
6
cups boiling water.
Let
sit several hours then flush with water.
Citrus fruit or vinegar
Glass Cleaner:
1 part vinegar to 3 parts water
1 cup of white vinegar to two gallons of water
Mold and
Mildew:
White Vinegar and Salt:
Mix equal parts
and wash troubled areas
2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water
Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse.
The advantage of using citrus seed extract instead of tea tree oil for killing mold is that it is odorless.
20 drops citrus seed extract
2 cups water
Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse.
Shelf life for both of these sprays is indefinite.
Scouring
powder:
Baking soda
Stainless
steel polish:
Olive oil
Stain
Removers:
These
techniques are safe on most fabrics, but do not use alkaline materials (borax or
soap) on wool or silk; these fabrics only tolerate acids like vinegar or lemon
juice. Spot-test first to make sure the remedy is compatible with the dyes.
These basic minerals and acids need time to work their magic; most treatments
should be left on the stains for at least half an hour, in some cases longer.
After treating the fabric, launder as appropriate.
Stain:
Berries
Natural Solution: White
vinegar or lemon juice; washing soda
Instructions: Soak
stains in white vinegar or lemon juice for one hour; rinse. If there is some
remaining stain, dampen the area with water, make a paste of equal parts washing
soda and water, and rub it in gently.
Stain:
Blood
Natural Solution: Cold
water; hydrogen peroxide; corn starch
Instructions: Soak
in cold water. For stubborn stains, soak in hydrogen peroxide (a natural bleach;
spot-test to make sure it won't affect the fabric). Or use a paste of equal
parts corn starch and cold water.
Stain:
Chocolate
Natural Solution:
Vegetable-based detergent or soap; digestive enzymes
Instructions: Mix
1 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent with 1 cup of water, and soak the stained
area. To remove the dairy component, buy digestive-enzyme tablets at a
natural-foods store, grind up three or four tablets, and add equal parts water
to make a damp paste. Gently rub the solution into the stain. Leave for at least
one hour.
Stain:
Coffee and Tea
Natural Solution: White
vinegar or lemon juice; cream of tartar
Instructions: Soak
the stain in straight white vinegar or lemon juice for one hour. If there was
milk in the tea or coffee, follow directions for removing dairy protein under
"Chocolate." Alternatively, clean with a paste made of cream of tartar
and water.
Stain:
Egg
Natural Solution: Cold
water; digestive enzymes
Instructions: Soak
the garment in cold water. If some egg remains, follow directions for using
enzymes under "Chocolate."
Stain:
Grass
Natural Solution: White
vinegar
Instructions: Soak
the area in white vinegar for one hour. Alternatively, use an enzyme paste (see
"Chocolate."
Stain:
Grease
Natural Solution: Vegetable-based
detergent or soap; washing soda
Instructions: Sometimes
just blotting the stain with detergent is all you need. If the stain remains,
make a paste of equal parts washing soda and water and gently rub it in. Leave
for at least one hour.
Stain:
Gum
Natural Solution: Ice
Instructions: Freeze
with a wrapped ice cube, then peel off the frozen gum.
Stain:
Ink
Natural Solution: White
vinegar; milk
Instructions: Soak
in milk or white vinegar.
Stain:
Paint
Natural Solution:
Citrus solvent
Instructions: Soak
the area in citrus solvent for 10 minutes.
Stain:
Perspiration
Natural Solution: Shampoo
Instructions: Saturate
the area with shampoo, then launder as usual. If the perspiration stains remain,
use an enzyme paste (see "Chocolate.")
Stain:
Tomato
Sauce
Natural Solution:
White vinegar; washing soda; borax
Instructions: Soak
in white vinegar. Alternatively, make a paste of equal parts washing soda or
borax and water and rub in gently.
Stain:
Wax
Natural Solution: Hot
iron
Instructions: Place
a clean cotton rag over the wax and iron, making sure not to overheat the
fabric. Blot the melted wax with an absorbent rag as you go to remove the
residue.
Stain:
Wine
Natural Solution:
Boiling water; club soda
Instructions: Stretch
the fabric over a bowl, then pour boiling water from a height of two to three
feet. Or rinse the stain with club soda.
More
Natural Stain Fighters
Lemon
Juice:
A natural bleach, acidic lemon juice help with alkaline
stains such as grass, tarnish, and minerals.
Borax:
This alkaline mineral is good for acid and protein stains.
Corn
Starch:
Made from corn, corn starch is very absorbent. Works well
on protein stains. Diluted and sprayed on clothes, it's a natural starch.
Vegetable-Based
Soup:
Better for the environment than petroleum-based detergents,
vegetable soaps help with greasy stains. Castile soap, made primarily from olive
oil, may be the easiest to find.
Cream
of Tartar:
A natural by-product of winemaking, cream of tartar is
good for stains like tea or coffee. Generally color-safe.
Citrus
Solvent:
A less-toxic alternative to solvents like acetone, citrus
solvent is available online or at some hardware stores. It's used for paint,
rust, and nail polish.
Club
Soda:
The water and bubbles help lift acidic stains like wine and
berries.
Text by
Annie B. Bond
Disclaimer:
All information is provided solely for your convenience and does not constitute our expressed opinions or endorsement and none should be inferred. For any medical, legal or other specific needs, please, seek a “Qualified Professional”. Any use or application of any information is at your own discretion. The “MCS” Beacon of Hope Foundation specifically disclaims any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from any use or application.