This kitchen is in need of a good all natural cleaning! All of surfaces shown, with the exception of the stainless steel, can use the prescribed ingredients.
In my opinion, we are a bit brainwashed into believing that unless we smell the powerful odor of ammonia or other noxious fumes, our homes aren't clean. This couldn't be further from the truth. Natural products are just as effective if not more so.
You will have noticed many new "green" cleaning products emerging on market shelves. Many of them are good products and are non toxic to us and the Earth. The Method line of cleansers, Seventh Generation and even the Lotus Cleaning System are all wonderful products. Even Clorox is jumping on the bandwagon with their GreenWorks line of cleansers. However, they are expensive, and the jury is still out whether they are 100% natural. Thankfully, the most natural ingredients are effective and are affordable. Introducing...
Baking soda, white vinegar, and lemons. Just like Grandma used.
Vinegar is an all purpose cleanser and its cheap. One part water to one part vinegar will clean your kitchen and bathroom, floors, sinks, and tubs. It breaks down soap scum and water marks. For the toilet, use straight vinegar or sprinkle in baking soda. Never use any of these on marble or granite, or any natural stone for that matter. Nor stainless steel. I would use soap and water on stone, and a natural granite/marble/stainless polisher like Method offers. Or try the new Clorox product for that, which claims to be safe on stainless and sealed stone. Also, add a squeeze of lemon to polish fixtures for a nice shine. Lemon rinds are great in your disposal to freshen it up. And you can polish your wood floors with olive oil and lemon. Baking soda is great as a stain and odor remover for carpets and other surfaces. For tough stains, sprinkle baking soda on a 1/2 lemon and scrub.
Using natural cleansers is especially important when children enter into the equation. The less exposure to toxic chemicals during their fragile growth years, the better.
More info on using natural products can be found on About.com. Read more!
In my opinion, we are a bit brainwashed into believing that unless we smell the powerful odor of ammonia or other noxious fumes, our homes aren't clean. This couldn't be further from the truth. Natural products are just as effective if not more so.
You will have noticed many new "green" cleaning products emerging on market shelves. Many of them are good products and are non toxic to us and the Earth. The Method line of cleansers, Seventh Generation and even the Lotus Cleaning System are all wonderful products. Even Clorox is jumping on the bandwagon with their GreenWorks line of cleansers. However, they are expensive, and the jury is still out whether they are 100% natural. Thankfully, the most natural ingredients are effective and are affordable. Introducing...
Baking soda, white vinegar, and lemons. Just like Grandma used.
Vinegar is an all purpose cleanser and its cheap. One part water to one part vinegar will clean your kitchen and bathroom, floors, sinks, and tubs. It breaks down soap scum and water marks. For the toilet, use straight vinegar or sprinkle in baking soda. Never use any of these on marble or granite, or any natural stone for that matter. Nor stainless steel. I would use soap and water on stone, and a natural granite/marble/stainless polisher like Method offers. Or try the new Clorox product for that, which claims to be safe on stainless and sealed stone. Also, add a squeeze of lemon to polish fixtures for a nice shine. Lemon rinds are great in your disposal to freshen it up. And you can polish your wood floors with olive oil and lemon. Baking soda is great as a stain and odor remover for carpets and other surfaces. For tough stains, sprinkle baking soda on a 1/2 lemon and scrub.
Using natural cleansers is especially important when children enter into the equation. The less exposure to toxic chemicals during their fragile growth years, the better.
More info on using natural products can be found on About.com. Read more!