by Ingrid Justick:

Vol. 26, No. 3

While we are enjoying the abundance of this beautiful season, let us pause sometimes and think of ways to enhance the quality of our Earth. Please consider the use of the following non-air-polluting cleaners and disinfectants, when cleaning your home.

Commercial furniture polish contains poisonous solvents that release into the air. To avoid this, make your own: blend 1/2 cup of lemon juice with 2/3 cup of olive oil. Bonus: this mixture leaves no wax build-up! Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap (available in health food stores) not only cleans your kitchen and bathroom, leaving a beautiful scent, it also removes pesticide residue and wax from fruit and vegetables.

Grapefruit Seed Extract is a very potent germ killer, effective against virus, fungi and bacteria strains. Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic, antimicrobial and antibacterial. Bon Ami cleanser contains no toxic chemicals. Baking soda deodorizes and cleans. Blend 1cup white vinegar with 1 cup water to clean your windows and mirrors. Club soda cleans and polishes stainless steel, sinks and kitchen appliances. To clean flatware, soak in club soda a few minutes, then rinse and dry.

Drain cleaner: pour 1/2 cup baking soda into drain, add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover. After 15 minutes, flush with hot water. Mildew and mold cleaner: mix 1 tablespoon Borax with 1 cup water. Chlorine is our most dangerous toxin. To whiten your laundry, add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Borax is a natural stain remover. 1 cup of white vinegar added to your rinse cycle will not only soften your washables, but also remove any traces of soap.

Pet and other stains on your carpet are easily removed with undiluted vinegar, then “blotted” with cold water. Silver tarnish remover: mix white toothpaste with a few drops of olive oil. Rub until clean and rinse in hot water. Brass and copper cleaner: 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon flour and enough vinegar to make a paste.

Air fresheners only “cover” offensive odors, while releasing toxic chemicals into the air. To freshen the air naturally: blend 1 cup of water with a few drops of lavender or citrus oil. Place in spray bottle or atomizer. Soak a cotton ball with your favorite scented natural oil and add to your vacuum cleaner bag. The entire house will smell wonderful. The scent will last at least one week with daily vacuuming.

After a day of mindful housecleaning, add some lavender oil to your potpourris. Lavender oil is soothing, cleansing and relaxing.

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it.

Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. – Chief Seattle

For environmentally friendly information call: 732-922-2935