by natalie Wise
Maybe these recipes and ideas have inspired you, even in one small way, to make a change in your world, your own home. All of those little changes add up to big changes in the world and home we all share. It’s important that we do our very best to be good citizens of this planet. I sure hope we’ll cross paths soon so you can tell me about your cleaning victories and your cleaning woes (we all have them).
INDEX
A
Acrylic showers, removing soap scum from, 73, 75
Air drying laundry, 140–141
Allergies, 2
Aloe plants, 176
Aloe vera gel, 166
Aluminum foil, 53, 59, 71
Ammonia, 18, 107
Animal-cruelty-free products, 6
Animal testing, 6
Ant deterrent, 205–206
Antibacterial products, 15, 27, 68, 168, 235–236
Antibacterial properties, 184, 191, 205, 216, 231–247
Anti-itch paste, 191
Antimildew spray, 72
Apple cider vinegar, 3, 186, 198
Aromatherapy facial steam, 185
Arrowroot powder, 154, 187, 188, 223
B
Baby wipes, 165–166
Backpacks, washing, 162–163
Baking soda, 9, 14, 61, 63, 64, 65, 69, 73, 75, 78, 79, 82, 85, 100, 102, 116, 129, 131, 132, 162, 163, 165, 167, 177, 178, 183, 184, 187, 188, 189, 191, 195, 209, 211, 213, 223
Bamboo cutting boards, 57
Bamboo palm, 176
Barbecue sauce stains, removing, 143
Baseboards, cleaning, 108
Bathroom odors, spray for, 84–85
Bathtubs
porcelain powder for, 49, 51, 72–73
soap scum spray and scrub for, 73, 75
Bay leaves, 65
Bed frames, cleaning, 115
Beeswax candles, making, 117–119
Beeswax pastilles, 55
Bentonite clay, 9, 17, 25, 188, 191, 193
BioKleen, 18
Bleach, 18, 65, 72–73, 129. See also Oxygen bleach powder
Blinds, cleaning, 98–99
Blood on upholstered furniture, 100
Blood stains, removing, 141
Body awareness, 22–24
Body exfoliating scrub, 199
Bookshelves, 105–106, 159, 173
Boston fern plants, 175
Brass, 52–53, 222
Brushes
avoiding plastic scrub, 27
cleaning makeup, 195, 197
suede, 151–152
Bug bites, anti-itch paste for, 191
C
Cacti plants, 175
Calcium/magnesium powder, 188
Candles, making beeswax, 117–119
Canola oil, 59
Canvas, removing crayon/marker/highlighter from, 166, 167
Carpet refresh powder, 102–103, 245
Carpet, removing crayon/marker/highlighter from, 167, 168
Castile soap, 16, 19, 46, 51, 62, 78–79, 86, 94, 99, 101, 105, 108, 116, 151, 153, 159, 160, 163, 165, 166, 167, 169, 177, 193, 195, 209, 210, 213, 215, 220, 221, 225
Cast iron
cleaning, 60–61
seasoning, 59–60
Castor oil, 198
Ceiling fans, 109
Ceramic tile floors, 79, 81–82
Chalk. See White chalk
Charcoal powder, 154
Charlie’s Soap, 18
Chemex coffee makers, 43
Chlorine gas, 18
Chocolate stains, removing, 143
Chrome, rust and hard water deposits on, 71
Cinnamon, 64, 206
Cinnamon essential oil, 117
Citrus no-stink deodorant, 187–188
Citrus rinds, 16
Citrus vinegar, 16, 45, 71, 75
Clean Air Spray, 216
Clean Caffeine Coffee Maker Cleanser, 42–43
Cleaners and cleaning mixtures. See also Cleaning sprays
for bed frames, 115
for ceramic tile floors, 79, 82
for computer exterior, keyboard, and mouses, 174–175
for computer screens, 173
drain, 85
for the electric and gas stovetops, 43
for exterior refrigerators and dishwashers, 46
fruit and veggie, 39
garbage disposal, 62–63
glass and mirror, 77
for glass-top stoves, 44
for highchairs, 169
for interior refrigerator, 47
lemon liquid, 51
litter box, 215–216
for mattresses, 116
pet spot and odor remover, 211, 213
for plastic food containers, 65
for repelling moths, 116–117
for screen doors, 220
for shower curtains and liners, 69–70
for toilet, 82–84
for toys, 159–160
for vinyl floors, 78–79
for water bottles and to-go mugs, 177–178
for wood in the living room, 93
Cleaning. See also Vacuuming; Washing
baseboards, 108
the bathroom, 68–69
bed frames, 115
the bedroom, 114
blinds, 98–99
bookshelves, 105–106
cast iron, 60–61
the catch-all room, 203
ceiling fans, 109
curtains, 106–107
dishwashers, 46
floors, 78–79, 81–82
the freezer, 48
grooming tools, 193, 195
home office/desk area, 172
kids’ rooms, 158
the kitchen, 37
the laundry room, 126
leather furniture, 100–101
light fixtures, 109–111
makeup brushes, 195, 197
the medicine cabinet, 182–183
microfiber couch or chair, 101–102
the microwave, 41
ovens, 45–46
in purge, clean and organize routine, 30–31
rugs, 103–105
screen doors, 220–221
silver items, 53–55
sink and bathtub, 49–51
stainless steel sinks, 52
television screens and electronics, 107–108
upholstered furniture, 99–100
walls, 94
the washing machine, 137–138
woodenware, 57
Cleaning paste
for faucet spouts and handles, 77–78
tile grout, 81–82
Cleaning sprays
granite and marble, 61–62
for carpets, 243
for grocery bags, 239
for hampers and laundry baskets, 119
for hard floors, 247
for interior of refrigerator, 47
for small kitchen appliances, 40
for soap scum on shower and bathtub inserts, 73, 75
stain removal, 131
for trash, compost, and recycling bins, 63
Cleansers, coffee makers, 42–43
Closet moister absorber, 155
Clothing
bleach alternatives for, 129
deodorant buildup on, 131–132
deodorant mark remover for, 147–148
hand washing, 132, 134
hand-washing liquid for, 152–153
leather, 148, 151
liquid spray starch for, 148
mildew and mold scent remover for, 129, 131
removing crayon from, 166
removing marker/highlighter from, 167
spot remover for, 131
static cling reliever spray for, 147
suede, 151–152
Clothing closet, purging and organizing, 146
Cloths, microfiber, 26
Clove essential oil, 15, 71, 102–103, 117
Cloves, 64
Coconut-honey-lime shampoo, 197–198
Coconut milk, 198
Coconut
oil, 188
Coffee cups, 177–178
Coffee makers cleanser, 42–43
Coffee on upholstered furniture, 100
Coffee stains, removing, 141
Collars
liquid spray starch for, 148
washing pet, 209
Comforters, washing down, 119
Commercial cleaners, 1–2
Commercial “green” eco-friendly cleaners, 2
Computer, cleaning exterior of, 174
Computer screens, 173
Conditioning
leather clothing, 148, 151
leather furniture, 101
woodenware, 57, 59
Containers, 3–4
for bathroom storage, 69
for bedroom storage, 115
glass (kitchen), 37
Copper, 52–53, 222
Cords, electrical, 176–177
Cornstarch, 101, 102, 103, 117, 143, 148, 154, 223
Cotton, removing crayon/marker/highlighter from, 166, 167
Cranberries, 64
Crayon removal, 166–167
Curtains, cleaning and refreshing, 106–107
Cuticle scissors, cleaning, 193, 195
Cypress essential oil, 79
D
Daily housekeeping chores, 21
DDT, 8
Deodorant buildup tear-down, 131–132
Deodorant, citrus no-stink, 187–188
Deodorant mark remover, 147–148
Deodorizing woodenware, 57
Diaper bag wipes, 163, 165
Diatomaceous earth, 10, 16, 102–103, 206
Dirty Drain Cleaner & Refresher, 85–86
Dish soap, 3–4, 206, 209
Dishwashers
cleaning exterior of, 46
putting woodenware in, 57
sanitizing toys in, 159
Disposable items, avoiding, 28
Distilled water, 13–14, 84, 108, 136–137, 186–187, 210
Dog collars, washing, 209
Dog perfume & coat conditioner, 210–211
Dog shampoo, 210
Down comforters, 121
Down pillows, 119
Drain cleaner, 85
Drain refresher, 86
Dr. Bronner’s castile soap, 16, 17
Dr. Bronner’s Sal’s Suds. See Sal’s Suds
Dried chamomile, 185
Dried lavender, 185, 189
Dried mint, 189
Dried rosebuds, 185
Drip coffee makers, cleaning, 42
Dr. Thayer’s witch hazel, 197
Dry-cleaning, do-it-yourself, 138
Dry-erase markers, 138, 167
Dryer balls, 121, 123, 138–139
Dusting tools, 96–98
Duvet covers, 122
E
Electrical cords, 176–177
Electronics, 107–108
Epsom salt, 183, 184
Ergonomic products, 24
Essential oils. See also individual names of essential oils
about, 15
for house keeping, 24
more expensive, 17
to start with, 15
used with pets, 211
vinegar scent and, 3, 14
Eucalyptus essential oil, 15, 49, 84, 216
Exfoliating scrub, 199
Eyes, using products near your, 18
F
Facial mask, 185–186
Facial steam, 185
Faucet spouts and handles, cleaning paste for, 77–78
Feet, soaks for, 182–184
Fingerprints on screens, 107–108
Floors
cleaning ceramic tile, 79, 81–82
cleaning vinyl, 78–79
restoring dents in hardwood, 93–94
Foaming soap, 86
Food-grade diatomaceous earth, 103
Foot soak, 183–184
Freezer, cleaning the, 48
French press coffee makers, cleaning, 42
Fresh Fun Foaming Hand Soap, 86
Front door refresh, 221–222
Front-loading washing machines, 137
Fruit and veggie cleaner, 39
Fruit fly trap, 206, 209
G
Geranium (essential oil), 15, 73, 109, 117, 211
Glass containers, 37
Glass, removing marker/highlighter from, 167
Glass screen doors, cleaning, 221–222
Glass screens, cleaning electronic, 107
Glass spray, 77
Glass-top stoves, cleaner for, 44
Gloves (cleaning), 71
Glycerin, 17, 84, 98
GoToob, 189
Granite, 14, 61–62
Grapefruit seed extract, 17, 158, 165
Grass stains, removing, 141
Grease/grease stains, 16, 17, 101, 143, 223
Grooming tools, cleaning, 193, 195
Gylcerin, 17, 210, 211
H
Hair rinse, 198–199
Hair scissors, cleaning, 193, 195
Hair shampoo, 197–198
Hampers, 119
Hand sanitizer, 167, 168, 231–234
Hand soap, foaming, 86, 241
Hand-washing
curtains, 106, 107
delicates and wool, 132, 134
sneakers and backpacks, 163
Hand-washing liquid, 152–153, 240
Hanging pocket organizers, 159
Hardware, door, 222
Hardwood floors, restoring dents in, 93–94
Hardwood furniture, restoring, 91, 93
Heavy-duty drain cleaner, 85
Heirloom quilts, washing, 122
High chairs, 168–169
Highlighter on upholstered furniture, 100
Highlighter removal, 141, 167–168
High-pile rugs, cleaning, 105
Honey, 185–186, 197–198
Hooks, 159
Housekeeping chores
daily, 21
monthly, 22
weekly, 21–22
Hydrogen peroxide, 9, 16, 18, 51, 69, 71, 75, 78, 79, 82, 129, 131, 141, 159, 163, 211, 213, 225
I
Ingredients
advanced, 16–18
basics, 13–16
cautions when using, 18–19
certified organic, 10
where to find, 10
Ink on upholstered furniture, 100
Ink stains, removing, 141
Iron/ironing, 94, 105, 134, 136–137, 166, 167
J
Janet Craig plant, 176
Jojoba oil, 197, 198, 211
K
Ketchup, cleaning copper items with, 52–53
Ketchup stains, removing, 143
Keyboards, cleaning, 174
Kitchen air potpourri, 64
Kosher salt, 14, 59, 63
L
Labeling organic products, 25
Lamb’s wool duster, 98, 222
Lamb’s wool mop, 79, 81
Lamps, cleaning, 109–111
Lanolin, liquid, 153
L.A.’s Totally Awesome Oxygen Cleaner, 18
Laundry baskets, 119, 146
Laundry detergent, 128–129
Lavender essential oil, 15, 107, 111, 115, 116, 117, 123, 136, 183, 205
Lavender linen spray, 134–136
Lavender mouthwash, 189, 191
LCD screens, 107–108
Leaping Bunny certification, 6
Leashes, washing, 209
Leather boots, 153
Leather clothing, 148, 151
Leather furniture, 100–101
Leather removing crayon/marker/highlighter from, 167
Lemon-apple cider vinegar hair rinse, 198–199
Lemon essential oil, 15, 47, 51, 55, 70, 75, 77, 86, 91, 131, 136, 148, 167, 187, 199, 220
Lemon eucalyptus essential oil, 84, 119
Lemongrass essential oil, 15, 49, 64, 84, 216
Lemon-honey facial mask, 185
Lemon Liquid Cleaner, 51
Lemons
/lemon juice, 10, 15–16, 63, 65, 70, 129, 131, 132, 186, 198, 199
Lightbulbs, cleaning, 109, 111
Light fixtures, cleaning, 109–111
Lime essential oil, 77, 79, 119, 183, 187, 198
Line drying laundry, 140–141
Linen spray, 134–136
Litter box cleaner, 215–216
Louvered doors, 99
Low-pile rugs, cleaning, 103, 105
Lunch boxes, 163–164
M
Machine washable stuffed animals, 160
Makeup brushes, 195, 197
Makeup remover, 197
Mandarin essential oil, 86
Marble
cleaning spray, 61–62
vinegar on, 14
Marker on upholstered furniture, 100
Marker removal, 141, 167–168
Mask, facial, 185–186
Mason jars, 37
Mattress covers, 116
Mattresses, cleaning, 116
Meditation, 24
Metal caddy, 25
Microfiber, 26
Microfiber furniture, cleaning, 101–102
Microwaves, cleaning, 41
Mildew
antimildew spray for shower curtain liners, 72
cleaning shower curtains and liners and, 69
drying comforters/pillows and, 121, 122, 123
on the house foundation or siding, 225
prevention spray, 75
scent remover, 129–131
Mirror spray, 77
Moisture absorber, 155
Mold
clove essential oil and, 15
coffee makers and, 42
on exterior walls, 225
on pet bowls, 215
on rubber door gaskets, 47
scent remover, 129–131
shower curtain liner spray and, 72
Monthly housekeeping chores, 22
Moss, 225
Moth repellent, 116–117
Mouse (computer), cleaning, 175
Mouthwash, peppermint lavender, 189, 191
N
“Natural” products, 6
Nightstands, 114
NOP (National Organic Program), 5
O
Odor absorber, for the refrigerator, 47–48
Odor remover, pet, 211–212
Odors, spray for bathroom, 84–85
Oil on upholstered furniture, 100
Oil stains, removing, 143
Olive oil, 44, 46, 59, 151, 168, 186, 193, 197, 199
Orange & Cloe Carpet Refresh Powder, 102–103
Orange essential oil, 40, 73, 86, 102, 103, 187
Oranges, 10, 64
Orange vinegar, 16, 45
Organic
determining if products are, 7
meaning of, 5–6
Organic Farming and Gardening, 8
Organic farming, history of, 8–9
Organic products
advanced ingredients for, 16–18
basic ingredients for, 13–16
cost issues, 9
reasons for using, 6–7
