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How to be a "Green Cleaner"
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The green cleaning industry produces products that are biodegradable, have low toxicity (i.e. plant-based, not chemical-based) and low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, and use less packaging. Purchase brands that comply with these standards. In the Storrs-Mansfield area, these include: Green Works, Nature’s Source, Seventh Generation, and Ecover.
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One way to use less packaging is to switch to a single product that has many different uses, like castile soap. This can be used as body wash, shampoo, all-purpose cleaning, laundry, and even tooth brushing (for the more adventurous of us green cleaners). Go to www.drbronner.com for more information.
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You can also reduce waste by cleaning with reusable cloths or sponges in place of paper towels. Even better: reuse an old t-shirt instead (after washing it, of course). If that’s not feasible for you, switch to recycled paper towels. One great brand to switch to is Marcal Small Steps, which produces 100% post-consumer recycled paper towels. According to their CEO, if every household in America switched to Marcal paper towels for 1 week, over 1 million trees would be saved.
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Another way to clean green is to make your own products with natural ingredients. For a basic, all-purpose cleaner, follow this recipe:
ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
A dab of liquid soap (i.e. castile soap)
2 cups hot tap water
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until washing soda dissolves. Use with sponge or rag.
Purchase Green Cleaning Supplies
And see how much you save!
| Type of Product |
Chemical Brand |
Green Brand |
| Laundry Detergent (liquid) |
Tide = 5.95/qt |
Seventh Generation = 5.05/qt |
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Wisk = 5.18/qt |
All Free & Clear = 4.41/qt |
| Fabric Softener |
Downy = 4.76/qt |
Seventh Generation = 4.07/qt |
| Dish Soap |
Palmolive = 4.47/qt |
Seventh Generation = 3.83/qt |
| Glass Cleaner |
Windex = 4.66/qt |
Nature's Source = 4.66/qt |
| Paper Towels |
Brawny = 1.87/100 count |
Marcal Small Steps = 1.49/100 count |
Many people still carry the misconception that green cleaning products are way more expensive than their traditional chemical counterparts. That is simply not the case anymore: at Grand Union right here in Storrs, the green alternatives are either equivalent in price or even cheaper!
Green Cleaning "Recipes"
Make your own!
It’s even cheaper to make your own than to buy products!:
Disinfectant = 64¢/qt OR All-Purpose Cleaner = 13¢/qt
Compare that to $3.69/qt for Clorox Disinfectant Spray and $2.69/qt for Fantastik All-Purpose Spray!
Kitchen |
- General cleaning: Dust surfaces with baking soda, and then scrub with a moist sponge or cloth. If you have tougher grime, sprinkle on some kosher salt, and work up some elbow grease.
- Disinfectant: Instead of bleach, mix 1/2 cup liquid soap, 4 Tbsp. lemon juice, 3 cups warm water. Other options: mix 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil OR 2 cups water with 1 tablespoon borax.
- Oven/appliance cleaning: Coat the inside of your dirty appliance with a paste made from water and baking soda. Let stand overnight. Then, don gloves and scour off that grime. Make spotless with a moist cloth.
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Bathroom |
- Drain clog remover: Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the problem drain, followed by 2 cups of boiling water. If that isn't doing it for you, chase the baking soda with a 1/2 cup of vinegar and cover tightly, allowing the vigorous fizzing of the chemical reaction to break up the gunk. Then flush that with one gallon of boiling water.
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Carpet
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- Carpet stain remover: Lift off any solids, and then liberally pour on club soda. Blot with an old rag. The soda's carbonation brings the spill to the surface, and the salts in the soda thwart staining.
- Carpet spot cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup liquid soap or detergent in a blender, with 1/3 cup water. Mix until foamy. Spray on, and then rinse with vinegar.
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Windows/Glass
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- Window/glass cleaner: Mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar/lemon juice/club soda with a gallon of water, and dispense into a used spray bottle. Squirt on, and then scrub with newspaper (not paper towels, which cause streaking).
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Laundry
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- Spot Remover: Add small amounts of water to 2 tablespoons washing/baking soda until a paste forms. Rub the paste onto spots and let dry completely before putting clothes into washing machine.
- Fabric softener: Add ¼ cup baking soda, vinegar, or borax to the regular wash cycle. I’ve personally tried baking soda and it works great! To avoid any color transfer in the wash, make sure you separate your colors, though.
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More Information:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/green-cleaning-spring-cleaning-460303
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-kit.html
Back to Green Cleaning
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