Ingredient/Tool |
Description |
Best uses |
Baking Soda
|
Sodium bicarbonate,
a naturally occurring mineral |
Best uses:
- Cleans
- Deodorizes
- Softens water
- Scours as a mild abrasive
- Neutralizes acids
- Produces carbon dioxide when mixed with acids such as white vinegar
|
Borax |
Sodium borate, a naturally occurring mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen and water |
Best uses:
- Cleans
- Deodorizes
- Disinfects
- Softens water
- Cleans many surfaces including wallpaper, painted walls and floors
|
Essential Oil |
A concentrated, fragranced oil extracted from a single plant, most often used with a vegetable-based carrier oil |
Best uses:
- A few drops can be added to homemade cleaning products for fragrance
- Natural air freshener ingredient
Caution:
- Highly concentrated and flammable
- Keep away from kids and pets
- Never drink or consume essential oils
- Some essential oils should not be handled during pregnancy or when nursing
- People with asthma or allergies should avoid using essential oils
- Can cause skin irritation, should never be used directly on skin
|
Hydrogen Peroxide |
The original "oxy" cleaner, usually available in a 3% strength |
Best uses:
- Cleans
- Super anti-bacterial agent
- Sanitizes cutting boards and food prep surfaces
- Removes protein-based stains such as blood
|
Lemon Juice |
Nature's perfect "green cleaning" citrus fruit |
Best uses:
- A mild, natural bleach
- Acidic cleaning agent
- Natural deodorizer
- Natural antibacterial
|
Microfiber Cloths and Dusters |
Microfiber cloths and dusters are made from nylon/polyester blended fibers that are microscopically split and woven together to create a fabric that traps and removes dirt very effectively |
Best uses:
- Traps and removes dust and dirt
- Cleans glass, windows, mirrors with plain water
- Can be used on any surface
- Reusable many times
Caution:
- Do not machine dry using dryer sheets as the chemicals will render the microfiber ineffective
- Use with caution on LCD, CRT and plasma screens as cloth can scratch sensitive surfaces
|
Washing soda |
Sodium carbonate, in the same family as baking soda.
It has a higher pH level of 11, which makes it slightly more caustic |
Best uses:
- Laundry booster
- Removes greasy or oily stains
- Neutralizes odors as well as baking soda
- Disinfects
- Softens water
Caution:
- Keep away from kids and pets
- May irritate skin; use rubber gloves
- Do not use on no-wax floors, aluminum, or fiberglass surfaces such as sinks and bathtubs
- Do not use to unclog drains
- Do not use on wool or silk fabrics
Where to buy:
- Can be found in the laundry section of most supermarkets
|
White vinegar |
Acetic acid |
Best uses:
- Cleans
- Sanitizes
- Eliminates mildew
- Deodorizes
- Cuts grease
- Removes wax build-up
- Natural fabric softener
|
Zeolite |
A naturally occurring crystallized volcanic mineral |
Best uses:
- Removes odors
- Non-fragranced
- Great for pet odors
- Safe for litter boxes
- Sold in reusable pouches; after prolonged use, "recharge" in direct sunlight for a few hours
- Also sold in loose granules
- Absorbs moisture, therefore can potentially reduce mold in smaller spaces
- Environmentally safe
|
