Environment Task Force Newsletter
Ohio State University Extension
Spring, 1998, v1 #4

Alternative Spring Cleaners: A Recipe for Good Housekeeping

Cora French, Clinton County Family & Consumer Science/Community Development Agent

I clean, you clean, we all clean. But, are you ready for spring cleaning? In the past half-century we have been besieged with household chemicals to make things brighter, whiter, shinier and more sanitary with less effort. Unfortunately, often these chemicals are not good for our environment.

Chemicals aren't all bad

Chemicals are all around us. They occur in nature and in all activities that people undertake. The danger with chemicals in the home is the concentration and combination of both synthetic and natural chemicals we choose to use.

There are several ways to clean with household cleaners. The "lazy" way, finding shortcuts that fit your lifestyle and still do a satisfactory cleaning job; the "right" way, that's the way your mother has always done it!; or the "alternative" way, which is using environmentally safe products or creating recipes that aid in household cleaning. Being a savvy consumer who reads labels before using a product is also helpful.

Cut grease, scour, disinfect

If you plan to use alternative cleaning products or make your own, take into consideration the three basic functions of household cleaners: to cut grease, to scour (be abrasive) and to disinfect. The alternative cleaning products that work best for cutting grease are an acidic solution or a strong base, like vinegar. For scouring jobs, an abrasive product such as salt or baking soda does a good job. To sanitize or sterilize, a type of chemical that has antiseptic properties is needed, such as chlorine bleach or isopropyl alcohol--not lemon juice.

So, what works the best for household cleaning and is safe for the environment? Here are a few recipes shown to be effective:

• Oven Cleaner. Pour vinegar over burned-on areas, shut the door and leave to soak. After two hours, wipe off the vinegar, rinsing the sponge or cleaning cloth frequently with warm water.

• Copper and Brass Cleaner. Add 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup of flour to enough warmed white vinegar to stir and make a soft paste. Spread cleaner on copper or brass. Let dry and brush off with a soft cloth.

• Degreaser and Scum Remover. Pour vinegar directly on the area and wipe with a damp, soft cloth. For lime and mineral deposits, soak a paper towel in vinegar. Apply the paper towel to the lime deposits on the faucets. Let stand one hour. The deposits will soften and can be removed easily with a soft toothbrush. Do not use on marble surfaces.

• All-Purpose Cleaner. Dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. Put into a labeled spray bottle.

• Glass Cleaner. Mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar into 1 quart of water. Put into a labeled spray bottle.

• Furniture Cleaner and Polish. Mix 3 cups of olive oil and 1 cup of vinegar until well blended. Keep in a labeled container. Use several drops of polish on a soft, dry cloth and apply to furniture. Do not apply to marble surfaces.