Stay Clean Stay Green

Today's modern home is loaded with toxic and polluting substances designed to make domestic life easier. Most stains disappear with one spray and most homeowners used to opt for a easy solution till a few years back. But long term health concerns and the environmental pollutions caused by their production and disposal compelled us to think otherwise.As we grow more earth-conscious and environment friendly, we buy more of the “green” and organic cleaning products.
 

There are many inexpensive, easy to use, natural alternatives which can be safely used in place of commercial products. I have tried to come up with a list which will help in the cleaning of your kitchen. Most of the ingredients will be found in your shelves and they last a long long time. Always keep lots of lemons, white vinegar and baking soda handy - you will be surprised to know what all these can do!
 
Ÿ Cleaning the fridge can be easy. All you need is baking soda, hot water and paper towel. Sprinkle baking soda on the shelves and scrub/wipe with wet paper towel. Finish with further wiping with dry towels.
 
Ÿ To keep your fridge clean smelling, keep an open box of baking soda on the top shelf. This absorbs the food odors. A lemon cut into half will also do the trick.
 
Ÿ Combine 2 tbsp of Borax, ¼ cup lemon juice, 2 cups of hot water and put it in a spray bottle. Use this as an all purpose cleaner.
 
Ÿ Lemon juice is a natural cleaner, disinfectant for the chopping/cutting board. Rubbing it against the surface of the block or letting the juice seep in the surface helps take away strong odor of fish or meat.
 
Ÿ Stains in cups can be removed with the help of white vinegar and a sponge.
 
Ÿ For in-sink garbage disposable units, grind up a lemon peel or orange peel in the unit. Lemons can also be used to polish sink and other stainless steel appliances, leaving everything spelling fresh and lemony!
 
Ÿ Baking soda is nature’s hitman for odor, grease and grime. It can freshen up the scrubber sponge, kitchen towels and microwave fixtures. Apply liberally, rinse with warm water and wipe.
 
Ÿ Research has shown that using white vinegar kills 99% bacteria, much more than the leading brand of disinfectant and cleaner. Mix one part of vinegar to one part water and store in a spray bottle. You can clean almost anything with this - counter tops, garbage cans, sinks, stove tops. Use it to believe it!
 
Ÿ Burning candles while cooking fish helps absorb the fish smell. Leaving cut up pieces of lemon on the counter during this time also helps reduce the odor situation.
 
Ÿ To make a citrus oven cleanser, mix equal parts of salt and lemon juice and apply this paste to the stains. Let sit for a while and then scrub it off.
 
Ÿ Equal parts of baking soda and hot water can be mixed into a paste and applied on stubborn stains. Scrub it off with old toothbrush or a scrubber.
 
 
 So spare your lungs, and your skin and rest easy knowing that not only is your kitchen clean, but its green.