Green Living: Cleaning the Eco-Friendly Way with Homemade Products

Save Money and the Environment by Using "Green" Cleaning Supplies You Already Have Your Home

In a quest to be more eco-friendly, companies are developing new "green" cleaning products, but if you'd like a more budget-friendly option, consider cleaning with items you already have on hand.

Try these simple green-living solutions for a sparkling home:

Mirrors, Windows, and Glass-Top Stoves. Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar with 4 cups of water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle (one that you've washed and recycled, of course!) Spray surface that needs cleaning, wipe with a dust-free cloth.

Microwave. Pour ¼ cup of lemon juice into a glass bowl. Place bowl in the center of the microwave. Run microwave for a 90-second cycle. Leave bowl in microwave for one minute. Open microwave, remove bowl, and off inside of microwave with a towel. For stubborn stains, use a little of the lemon juice and a scrub brush to loosen and remove.

Bonus- Recycle the lemon juice by using it in one of the following ways:

• Add ½ cup of juice to the rinse cycle of your laundry as a bleach substitute
• Use the juice to de-grease your stove, use a brush or cloth to rub off the grease
• Fill a spray bottle with ½ lemon juice, ½ water. Use for as effective and natural air freshener.

Keyboards, Answering Machines, CD Players. Use a paint brush to dust around the buttons and keys. If you need to remove stains, dip the paintbrush in rubbing alcohol and whisk the stains/dirt away.

Showers, Bathtubs, Tile, and Sinks. The easiest eco-friendly way to keep showers, sinks, bathtubs, and tile clean is to wipe them with a damp towel after every use. This immediately prevents any residue buildup. Designate a towel for each area and keep it nearby for quick cleanup. Reuse the towel as long as possible, then drop it in the wash and replace with a new one.

Toilets. Baking soda is a great, everyday cleaner to use for toilets. Scrub with your regular toilet brush. For tougher stains, make a paste from baking soda and liquid castile soap—apply to stain and scrub with a toilet brush.