"Green" Earth Friendly Cleaning Tips

Here at ArchAngel we take the Environment and the beautiful world we live in Seriously! My wife has been slowly going Green in our home and I've been learning from her but I thought to do my own research and see just what is going on. So, here are some Earth Friendly and "Green" cleaning tips I found and am passing on to you! First, here are some STAGGERING numbers to peruse: Did you know?............

• 17,000: the number of petrochemicals available for home use, only 30 percent of which have been tested for exposure to human health and the environment.
  
  
• 63: the number of synthetic chemical products found in the average American home, translating to roughly 10 gallons of harmful chemicals.
  
• 100: the number of times higher that indoor air pollution levels can be above outdoor air pollution levels, according to US EPA estimates.
  
  
• 275: the number of active ingredients in antimicrobials that the EPA classifies as pesticides because they are designed to kill microbes.
  
  
• 5 billion: the number of pounds of chemicals that the institutional cleaning industry uses each year.
  
  
• 23: the average gallons of chemicals (that's 87 liters) that a janitor uses each year, 25 percent of which are hazardous. statistics found at http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/green-cleaning/green-cleaning-statistics.html
  

Ok, after doing research to write today's blog and reading not only these numbers above but many more, I have to say I am flabbergasted! Apparently my first knowledge of the cleaners we use being toxic is an understatement. So, here are some tips to get you going on your Summer Green Cleaning!

To begin with and this may upset some folks but you will want to stop using most air fresheners, oven cleaners and other products which employ spraying into the air unless you do your homework and know that they are all natural. This is the quickest way to begin getting Green.

You next want to start the "Substitution Process". Method, Seventh Generation and Simple Green all make Earth Friendly products which we don't mind recommending. We actually use some of the Seventh Generation products in our home. Also, Clorox is making a new product line titled Green Works. You can get this at your local grocer. We tried several and were not as pleased with them as the Seventh Generation, leaves a little residue, but the smell is delightful and the price favorable. If you would prefer not using products you can make your own home cleaners easily. This is both fun if you have kids to do together and it saves quite a bit of money as well.

1. Surfaces: You can clean kitchen & bath surfaces and walls with hot water, baking soda and a tad of dish soap.
2. Floors: Your basic vinegar and water solution is really the perfect choice for cleaning most types of bare floors in your home. Mix up 1 cup vinegar with 1 gallon warm water (be sure it's warm!) and mop it onto a ceramic tile, linoleum, vinyl, or wood floor. There is no need to rinse afterward -- saving both time and water. If your vinyl or linoleum floor looks a little dull after cleaning, you can give it a shine by mopping it over again with straight club soda. Try not to saturate wood floors with the vinegar and water solution. Use a light touch; the mixture will make your floor shiny and remove any greasy buildup.
3. Microwaves: To get your appliance lemony-fresh, she says, simply zap a bowl of water and lemon juice for five minutes. Let it cool, then open the door and wipe down the walls.
4. Fresheners: For home made air fresheners simmer in a pot of water some cinnamon, orange peels, cloves or berries. My wife likes to place a small fan next to the stove and wow does the home smell fabulous.
5. Drains: There ''ain't'' nothing like a smell y drain! You can clean and clear your drains by using 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup salt, and 1/4 cream of tartar mixed. Pour this mix into your drain and then pour in a pot of boiling water.
6. Windows: Clean your windows with 4 tablespoons lemon juice mixed with a half gallon of water. Other effective cleaners for glass and mirrors are rubbing alcohol and witch hazel. Now I grew up watching my mom use newspapers to clean the windows. While this seems like a good idea, it isn't Earth Friendly. I suggest using an old tshirt that you can wash and reuse or a lint free rag.
7. Stains on Vinyl: Use straight lemon juice to remove stains on vinyl items such as recliners or tile flooring.
8. Furniture Polish: Mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice and apply it to your furniture using a soft cloth. Smells almost good enough to eat and wood loves it!
9. To Get Rid of 'Heat' Marks on Wood: Make a thin paste of salad oil or lemon oil and salt. Wipe the paste on, then lightly buff the area as you wipe it off with a soft cloth.
10. Shining Antiques, Metals, Etc: Use Salt & Vinegar plus Flour. Mix Equal parts to make a paste. Rub this onto the brass or copper you need shined. Let it dry for about an hour and then wipe clean with a soft cloth. Shines brilliantly! - You can also use a lemon slice dipped in salt. Rub your piece with this and then rinse and dry. - Last you can spray with undiluted vinegar then sprinkle with salt. Wipe thoroughly with sponge or cotton cloth removing all the salt so it doesn't turn green. Repeat twice. ( I don't like this one as much as the first two because of the vinegar smell)
11. Fireplace: If you have a wood burning fireplace with yucky soot smudges use cream of tartar and water on them. Rub in, let dry, and scrub off.
12. Another fireplace tip is putting a handful of salt into the fire itself. This will loosen soot in your stack and make the cleaning easier next time.
13. These are just a few of our tips. There is a page where there are about a hundred more great 'concoctions' as the author calls them on Green Cleaning. You will find it here: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/8088/clngrn.html I highly suggest reading it if you are serious about going green!
14. Last, replace disposable paper towels and sponges with rags. We like to use clean old socks!

Another tip about going green is choose a cleaning service who is a "Green" company! I have not researched any in our area as we clean our own home to save money so I can't recommend one oft hand. But, if you use a cleaning company be sure to inquire as to whether or not they would be willing to clean your home with Green Products. At the very least, perhaps they would use products you provide. In my estimation, if they want to keep your business they will do this for you.

A tip folks don't think of often is the importance of leaving your shoes at the door. If you only knew what all you treck in daily.... oil from pavement, animal wastes, pollen, dirt, and any number of other things, even lead! At our house we have a no shoes allowed policy and a doormat. Well, hope those tips help. We are learning to be a Greener Family and you can too!

Be sure to read our "Green Foot Pledge" on our website www.archangelappliancerepair.com
There is a copy on our homepage and one on our About Us page.

Food for thought, ArchAngel