What to Substitute for a Greener Clean

It’s difficult to provide an ingredient-for-ingredient list of substitutes for the above chemicals and compounds, but many of the green cleaners on the market, simply leave the harsh and toxic chemicals out, relying on plant-based surfactants, essential oils and biodegradable compounds like hydrogen peroxide.

Affordable, safe cleaners -- you already have them at home.

You can also find many effective alternative ingredients in your pantry. These common, natural cleaners can be found around most households, and include:

• Vinegar — Great for cleaning mirrors or polishing chrome, and many other jobs. It is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer, useful in many cleaning jobs. You can dilute it with water at a 1:1 mix for daily use or leave it full strength for cleaning soap scum. Some people add a spritz lemon to give it a better scent. Dilute it in water to clean tile or vinyl floors.

• Lemon — A natural grease cutter and antibacterial product, it can be used to boost the effectiveness of  homemade cleaners. Add it to a mix of water with a dash of dish soap for a counter cleaner, for instance. Use straight lemon juice to remove rust stains from fabrics.

• Baking soda — A time-honored deodorizer, baking soap can clean drains and be mixed into a paste to use as a mild abrasive cleaner on sinks, bathtubs and stove tops.

• Coca Cola — Yes it’s fizzy and acidic enough  to clean your drains. Pour some in at night time and let it sit overnight to keep drains clear. Also works to remove residue from coffee makers (and as a weed killer — but let’s not get carried away).

• Corn starch — Picks up grease on rugs and can loosen dirt in fabrics. And you thought it just made gravy!

• Borax — A gentle deodorizer and disinfectant that save to bring out of the laundry room. Diluted in water it can be used to clean carpet, floors and walls. (Always test the rugs for color-fastness, however.)

• Toothpaste — The tricks out of the bag on this one. Toothpaste can remove water rings from furniture. Rub it on the ring and leave it sit. (We’re not sure how this works, but it does work. The ring will be less evident, if not gone.)

• Cream of tartar — A couple spoonfuls, mixed with a dash of vinegar, makes an active, but safe compound for whitening grout and getting rid of mildew in showers.

• Denture tablets – They’re great for cleaning toilet bowls too. Let them sit overnight and wash the mineral deposits away in the morning.

• Boiling water — Use it to remove fresh wine or grape stains from fabrics.

The list could go on and on.  Several books have been devoted to the subject of cleaning without harsh chemicals. Here are a couple to look for:

Green This! Volume 1: Greening Your Cleaning by Deirdre Imus — Imus knows how to de-tox everything, and she runs a ranch for kids where it’s all put into practice.

Green Up Your Clean Up by Jill Schoff — An award-winning book by a mom who learned about green cleaning to help her allergic child.

Green Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck –Down-to-earth and affordable advice on cleaning EVERYTHING naturally.

Copyright © 2010 Green Right Now | Distributed by GRN Network

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