Cleaning doesn’t have to harm your health or your bank account. It can even be fun! As a WAGES trainer I’ve been testing products to find the very best in green cleaning (and clean breathing) for 15 years. Here are three of my favorites:
1) Let vinegar become your elixir of happiness. Mix 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water.
a. Shine a hardwood floor. For large areas, dip your mop. For smaller surfaces, apply from a spray bottle.
b. Bring shine to wood furniture. Spray a cotton or microfiber cloth and rub along the grain. For occasional conditioning try a mineral or olive oil rub.
c. Remove smudges from glass. Spray the mixture onto a cloth. Wipe in just one direction. Cloth-dry for extra shine.
2) Get a grip on your flathead screwdriver.
a. Get into appliance crevices. Cover the tip with a cloth. Slide in one direction.
b. Reach nooks and crannies of shower frames or fridge seals. Cover the tip with a cloth. Inch the cloth to a clean spot after each wipe.
c. Remove faucets and light switch panels. For a deep cleaning, use the screwdriver to remove small fixtures. Always keep the screwdriver dry.
d. Lift gum or stickers. Wet what’s stuck. With even strokes, carefully scrape one direction using a spatula or screwdriver. Uneven pressure may result in scratches.
3) Let your baking soda do the talking.
a. Maintain troublesome drains weekly. Remove hair or blockages. Pour in 1 cup baking soda. Add 1 cup vinegar. Watch for happy bubbles. Rinse with hot water. Repeat if necessary.
b. Clean the oven. Wipe out loose detritus. Lightly dampen the entire area with a soapy water spray (if it’s too wet, it won’t work). Lightly sprinkle the entire surface with baking soda. Leave for 7 minutes. Scrape with a metal spatula from side to side. Then scrub soap and water using a plastic scouring pad or brush. For a clean smell and a nice shine, wipe the oven with the 1:3 vinegar solution.
c. Rub out rust. Make a paste of soda with a few drops of soap and leave for a few minutes. Apply it to a dry rusty spot. Rub in small circles with a wet pumice stone. Repeat if necessary.
Make a clean sweep of drudge and bring joy to your cleaning. Please consider a gift to WAGES . Your support will multiply our green expertise to create more healthy homes and transformative jobs.