Guest blogger - Eco-friendly products

Our second guest blogger will be Dianne. Not only is she a great blogger, she runs Something Snappy, but she is also one of our community members.

The trend of being eco-friendly is booming in the United States. Whether you choose to "go green" to keep up with the Jones' or because you truly want to make a commitment to help sustain the Earth; going green is an awesome thing. However, many companies are taking advantage of this and charge an arm and a leg for their Eco-friendly products. This is ridiculous and doesn't have to be. You can make your own household cleaning products for pennies:

General Cleaner and Disinfectant

Dissolve 1 cup borax in a gallon of warm water

Scouring Powder

Sprinkle borax, baking powder or dry table salt on a damp sponge; scour and rinse. Or rub the area to be cleaned with half a lemon dipped in borax. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

Dishwasher Soap

Most automatic dishwashing detergents contain phosphates that pollute waterways. An environmentally preferred alternative is one part borax and one part washing soda. If you live in a hard-water area, you may have to adjust the proportions to avoid scum forming on dishes.

Laundry Soap

Detergents were designed to clean synthetic fibers. Natural fibers can be adequately cleaned with natural substances. Use a mixture of half borax and half washing soda (the same mixture can be used in the dishwasher). To keep colors from fading, add a drop or two of vinegar in the laundry water.

Drain Opener

Dissolve 1 cup baking soda and one cup vinegar in boiling water and pour down the drain. Continue to flush with hot tap water until the clog breaks.

Oven Cleaner

Let the oven cool, then sprinkle salt on the spill right away. Let it cool for a few minutes, then scrape the spill away and wash the area clean. Use baking soda for scouring.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Use a solution of baking soda and water or vinegar for the bowl. Sprinkle baking soda around the rim. Scrub with toilet brush as needed. This solution will clean and deodorize.

Furniture Polish

Mix two parts cooking oil with one part lemon juice. Apply to furniture with a soft cloth and wipe it dry.

Ceramic Tile Cleaner

Use a mixture of 1/4-cup vinegar to one gallon of water removes most dirt without scrubbing and doesn't leave a film.

Not only will these save you money, but it keeps harmful chemicals out of your home, out of water systems and away from your family!






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