Some recommendations are as old as dirt, but they work. You won't have to spend a bundle on getting your home clean, and for the most part these products are totally safe. They don't load up your home -- or the planet -- with chemicals that have unknown or unpleasant effects.We are also talking about trash, the by-product of cleaning and organizing, and how to reduce trash by recycling. And finally, we'll look at an unusual method of recycling that results in homemade fertilizer.
Q: Are there any homemade cleaners that clean windows and mirrors?
A: Mix 2 quarts warm water with 1/2 cup cornstarch. Apply with a sponge and buff dry for sparkling windows and mirrors.
Q: Is there a safe environmental cleaning method for sinks?
A: Baking soda is an excellent choice because it is a mild abrasive. Mix 1 cup baking soda with 1/2 cup borax and sprinkle in the sink. The mixture won't scratch the finish, cleans beautifully, and as a bonus, it also deodorizes the plumbing.
Q: What kind of natural products remove grease from wallpaper (figure A)?
A: If you have a lot of grease on the wall, try the following remedies:
1. Blot first with paper towels. Next, make a thick paste of cornstarch and water and apply the paste to the grease stain (figure B). As the cornstarch dries, it draws the grease into the paste. When completely dry, wipe or vacuum off the dried cornstarch.
2. If grease stains remain, pour rubbing alcohol onto a paper towel and use it to blot the stain. (Note: Always test this method in an inconspicuous area of the paper to be sure the alcohol won't damage the paper.)3. If the stain remains, spray hairspray on it, let it set for a few minutes, then blot with paper towels.
4. If grease still stains the wallpaper, take a brown grocery bag that has no writing on it and lay it over the stain. Iron over the bag with a medium-warm iron (figure C). The paper acts like a blotter wicking the grease up into the paper fiber. Change the paper as needed until the grease is removed from the wall.
Tip: To clean smudges off wallpaper, roll up a slice of white bread and use it like an eraser on the smudges (figure D).
Odor-Absorber Tip: Place a small dish of vinegar beside the stove when cooking fish. It will absorb the odors.
One way to be kind to the earth is to reduce the amount of trash going into landfills. It's important to know what is recyclable; if you are unsure about what can be recycled in your community, call your local solid-waste recycling office.
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