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The Natural Cleaning Handbook

Page 19

by natalie Wise


  storage of, 25

  where to find, 10

  Organizing

  the bathroom, 69

  the bedroom, 114–115

  the catch-all room, 203

  the clothing closet, 146

  the freezer, 48

  the home office/desk area, 173

  kids’ rooms, 159

  the kitchen, 36

  the laundry room, 126

  the medicine cabinet, 183

  in purge, clean, and organize routine, 31

  Ostrich feather duster, 96–98

  Outdoor lights, 222

  Oven, cleaning, 45–46

  Oven Overflows and Oops Cleaner, 45–46

  OxyClean, 18

  Oxygen bleach powder, 18, 81, 122, 223

  P

  Patchouli essential oil, 17

  Peppermint essential oil, 15, 46, 47, 78, 94, 155, 183, 205

  Peppermint extract, 188

  Peppermint lavender mouthwash, 189, 191

  Peppermint leaves, 185

  Peppermint oil, 189, 191, 210, 220

  Peppermint power toothpaste, 188–189

  PERC, 1

  Perfume, dog, 210–211

  Permanent marker on upholstered furniture, 100

  Permanent marker removal, 167–168

  Pesticides, 5, 8, 27

  PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), 6

  Pets

  bowl cleaner, 213, 215

  dog perfume & coat conditioner, 210–211

  leash and collar wash, 209

  litter box cleaner, 215–216

  spot and odor remover, 211, 213

  Pet shampoos, 210

  Phthalates, 1

  Pillows, washing, 121, 123

  Pine essential oil, 91

  Pistachio-lemon hand and body exfoliating scrub, 199

  Pistachio nuts, 199

  Plants, 175

  Plasma screens, cleaning, 108

  Plastic

  avoiding, 26–27

  removing crayon from, 167

  removing marker/highlighter from, 167

  woodenware vs., 57

  Plastic blinds, 99

  Plastic food container wash, 65

  Plastic gloves, 28

  Plastic scrub brushes, 27

  Plastic shower curtain liners, 72

  Plastic sponges, 26–27, 28

  Plastic storage containers, 29

  Plastic toys, 159

  Pod-based coffee maker, cleaning, 42

  Polishing oil, 91–92

  Porcelain, 49, 51, 72–73

  Porch lights, 222

  Potpourri, 64

  Pour-through coffee makers, cleaning, 43

  Prayer, 24

  Purge, clean, and organize routine, 29–32

  Purging

  the bathroom, 68

  the bedroom, 114

  the catch-all room, 202

  the clothing closet, 146

  the home office, 172

  in kids’ rooms, 158

  in the kitchen, 36, 37

  in laundry room, 126

  in the living room, 90

  the medicine cabinet, 182

  Q

  Quarternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATS), 11

  Quilts, washing, 122, 123

  R

  Rags, 25

  Razors, cleaning, 193, 195

  Recycling, 28

  Recycling bins, sanitizing, 63–64

  Red wine on upholstered furniture, 100

  Red wine stains, removing, 141

  Refrigerators

  cleaning spray for, 47

  exterior cleaners, 46

  odor absorber for, 47–48

  Relationship-Saver Toilet Spray, 84–85

  Repurposing/reusing, 28

  Rodale Institute, 9

  Rodale, J.I., 8

  Rodale Research Institute, 8

  Rodale’s Organic Life (magazine), 8

  Rose (essential oil), 17

  Rose water, 186–187

  Rubber plants, 176

  Rubbing alcohol, 16, 44, 62, 75, 77, 78, 79, 102, 106, 136, 141, 143, 147, 163, 167, 168, 174, 178, 182–183, 222

  Rugs

  cleaning, 103, 105

  orange & clove refresh powder for, 102

  removing crayon from, 167

  removing marker/highlighter from, 167

  Rust

  on cast iron, 59, 60, 61

  on chrome in the bathroom, 71

  on outdoor lights, 222

  on shower curtain metal rings, 70

  on stainless steel sinks, 52

  S

  Sachets, stinky shoes, 154

  Safety precautions, 18–19

  Sal’s Suds, 17, 51, 128–129

  Salt, 14, 73. See also Sea salt; Table salt

  Salt stain remover, 153

  Sandalwood essential oil, 17, 183

  Sanitized toothpaste tube, 189

  Sanitizing

  toys, 159

  trash and recycling cans, 63–64

  woodenware, 57

  Sanitizing wipes, 178–179

  Sapindus Mukorossi tree, 128

  Scratches in wood, 91–92

  Screen door cleaning, 220–221

  Screens, television, 107–108

  Scrub

  body exfoliating, 199

  soap scum, 75

  Scuffs, removing from sneaker soles, 163

  Sea salt, 14, 183

  Seasonal items, 203

  Seasoning cast iron, 59–60

  Seltzer water, 52, 100, 141, 143

  Shampoo

  coconut-honey-lime, 197–198

  pet, 210

  Shaving liquid, 193

  Shea butter, 187–188, 191

  Sheets, washing, 122

  Shoes

  leather, 148

  sachets for stinky, 154

  salt-stain remover for, 153

  suede, 152

  washing sneakers, 162

  Shower curtains and liners

  antimildew spray, 72

  cleaner for, 69–70

  rust spots around metal rings of, 70

  Shower heads, 71

  Sidewalk stains, 223

  Silk, 106, 134, 147, 152–153

  Silver items, cleaning, 53–55

  Small kitchen appliance cleaning spray, 40

  Sneakers, washing, 162–163

  Soap. See also Castile soap

  bar, 242

  for cleaning cast iron, 60

  foaming hand, 86, 241

  Soap nuts (soap berries), 128

  Soap scum spray and scrub, 73, 75

  Soda ash, 18

  Sodium bicarbonate. See Baking soda

  Sodium hydroxide, 1

  Sodium laureth sulfate, 129

  Sodium lauryl sulfate, 129

  Sodium percarbonate, 18

  Sparkling water, 100

  Spider plants, 175

  Sponges, 26–27, 45, 147, 221

  Spot cleaning upholstered furniture, 100

  Spot-clean only stuffed animals, 160, 162

  Spot remover, 131

  Sprays. See also Cleaning sprays

  antimildew, 72

  for bathroom odors, 84–85

  clean air, 216, 237

  lavender linen, 134–136

  liquid spray starch, 148

  mirror, 77

  shower curtain liner, 72

  static cling reliever, 147

  yoga mat, 205

  Stainless steel appliances, 46

  Stainless steel scouring pad, 45, 51, 73

  Stainless steel sinks, cleaning, 52

  Stain removal cheat sheet, 141, 143

  Stains

  crayon and marker removal, 166–168

  deodorant buildup, 131–132

  deodorant marks, 147–148

  on leather furniture, 101

  moss and mildew, on the house, 225

  from pets, 211, 213

  on porcelain, 49, 51

  rug, 105


  rust, 70–71

  salt on winter boots, 153

  on sidewalks, driveways, and garage floors, 223

  stain remover spray, 131

  on upholstered furniture, 100

  on woodenware, 57

  Static cling reliever spray, 147

  Steam cleaning curtains, 106–107

  Steamers, 106, 107, 138, 172

  Sterilized jars, 187

  Sticky labels, removing, 16

  Stinky foot solution soak, 184

  Storage

  color-coordinating, 159

  in the kitchen, 36

  in the living room, 90

  natural materials for, 29

  of organic products and supplies, 25

  plastic vs. natural materials for, 29

  Storage containers. See Containers

  Stovetop cleaner, 43

  Suede cleaning, 151–152

  Sustainability, steps toward, 26–28

  Sweet orange essential oil, 73, 86

  Synthetic comforters, washing, 122

  T

  Table salt, 14, 57, 75, 132, 136

  Tangerine essential oil, 211

  Tarnish, removing, 52–53, 55

  Tea on upholstered furniture, 100

  Tea stains, removing, 141

  Tea tree essential oil, 15, 24, 63, 64, 69, 71, 82, 84, 85, 102, 154, 178, 184, 189, 191, 210, 211, 213, 225

  Tea Tree Toilet Cleaning Powder and Gel, 82, 84

  Televisions

  cleaning screens, 107–108

  removing crayon from, 167

  removing marker/highlighter from, 167

  Thyme, 65

  Tile floors, cleaning, 79, 81

  Tile grout cleaning paste, 81–82

  To-go mugs, 177–178

  Toilet brushes, 28

  Toilet cleaning gel, 84

  Toilet cleaning powder, 82

  Toilet spray, 84–85

  Toluene, 175

  Tomato ketchup, 52–53

  Toothbrushes, 28, 193, 195

  Toothpaste, peppermint, 188–189

  Top-loading washing machines, 137

  Towels, microfiber, 26

  Toys, 159–160

  Trash cans, sanitizing, 63–64

  Triclosan, 1, 27, 52

  Tubes, toothpaste, 189

  Tweezers, cleaning, 193, 195

  2-Butoxyethanol, 1

  U

  Upholstered furniture, 99–100

  USDA certified organic, 5–6, 7, 9

  V

  Vacuuming

  baseboard cleaning and, 108

  behind bookshelves, 105

  body awareness and, 23

  carpet refresh powder for, 102–103

  the catch-all room, 203

  cleaning bed frames and, 115

  cleaning blinds and, 98

  cleaning lampshades and, 111

  cleaning leather furniture and, 101

  cleaning mattresses and, 116

  cleaning upholstered furniture and, 99

  rugs, 103, 105

  Vanilla essential oil, 17, 44, 62

  Vanilla extract, 44, 62

  Veggie and fruit cleaner, 39

  Vetiver essential oil, 17, 117, 183

  Vinegar, 9, 39, 49, 62, 63, 73, 82, 84, 85, 86, 117, 136, 141, 143, 153, 159–160, 165, 174, 178, 184, 195, 206, 209, 213, 223. See also Apple cider vinegar; White vinegar

  about, 14

  citrus, 16, 45, 71, 75

  for cleaning the oven, 45–46

  mixed with hydrogen peroxide, 18

  oxygen bleach and, 122

  using castile soap with, 19

  on vinyl floors, 78

  Vinegar scent, 3, 14

  Vinyl floors, cleaning, 78–79

  Vitamin E, 55, 197

  W

  Walls

  cleaning, 94

  removing crayon from, 167

  removing marker/highlighter from, 167

  Walnut oil, 91, 93

  Washcloth, storage of, 25

  Washing. See also Hand-washing

  bedding, 121–123

  delicates and wool, 132–134

  duvet covers, 122

  mattress covers, 116

  pet collars and leashes, 209

  sheets, 122

  sneakers and backpacks, 162–163

  stuffed animals, 160–162

  Washing machines

  cleaning exterior of, 126

  washing down comforters in, 121

  washing interior of, 137

  Water bottles, 177–178

  Water rings in wood, 91–92

  Wax paper, 136

  Weekly housekeeping chores, 21–22

  White chalk, 25, 143, 155, 206

  White vinegar, 3, 40, 42–43, 46, 47, 48, 52, 57, 63, 65, 77, 79, 91, 99, 100, 105, 109, 111, 115, 119, 122, 131, 132, 137, 168–169, 173, 177–178

  White wine, 100, 141

  Wipes

  baby hand, face, and bottom, 165–166

  lunch box and diaper bag, 163, 165

  sanitizing, for the office, 178–179

  Witch hazel, 84, 147, 185, 186, 197, 205, 216

  Wonder wax, for woodenware, 55

  Wood bed frame, cleaning, 115–116

  Wooden blinds, 99

  Wooden Spoon Wonder Wax, 55

  Woodenware

  cleaning, 57

  conditioning, 57, 59

  sanitizing, 57

  wonder wax for, 55

  Wood furniture, restoring, 91, 93

  Wood polishing oil, 91, 93, 106, 111, 115

  Wool clothing and blankets, washing, 134

  Wool dryer balls, 3, 138–139

  Wool, hand-washing liquid for, 152–153

  X

  Xanthan gum, 84

  Xylene, 175

  Xylitol powder, 188, 189, 191

  Y

  Ylang ylang essential oil, 193

  Yoga mat spray, 205

  Yogurt, 186

 

 

 


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