PITCH-IN CANADA
 Resource Centre

The Green Shopper Program
"Green" Ideas for Gifts, Special Occasions - Anytime!

"Green" Cleaning for your House

Many common household cleaners contain toxic chemicals which are harmful to your health and the environment. Listed below are some non-toxic alternatives to clean your home.

To help with your cleaning, use reusable cloths, sponges or newspapers instead of paper towels. (Newspapers are the best to dry windows after cleaning!)

"Recipes" for Environmentally Friendly Cleaners

These all-purpose cleaner recipes will provide safe, lower-cost cleaners for bathroom fixtures, floors, tiles and painted walls:

  • All Purpose Cleaner # 1

    125 ml ammonia
    75 ml washing soda
    4 L warm water
  • All Purpose Cleaner # 2

    50 ml baking soda
    250 ml ammonia
    125 ml white vinegar
    4 L warm water

WARNING: Do NOT mix ammonia and bleach. ALWAYS label your home-made cleaning products and store out of reach of children.

To Unclog Sink Drains

For slightly clogged drains:
  • pour 250 ml of baking soda into the drain, followed by 250 ml of vinegar and flush with hot water.
 For really clogged drains:
  • use a small metal snake for sinks, pour 125 ml of baking soda and 125 ml of vinegar down the drain, cover tightly with stopper, let sit for 15 min. and then run hot water down the drain.

Cleaning & Polishing

Toilet Scrub with a baking soda paste, for tough stains combine 50 ml of borax with 15 ml of lemon juice and let sit for 2 hours before flushing.
Oven Mix 15 ml of borax, 30 ml phosphate-free liquid dishwashing detergent (not detergent for dishwashers) and a little water in a spray bottle. Spray the oven and let sit one hour, and then scrub with a nylon or metal scrubber.
Copper Paste of lemon juice, salt and flour: or vinegar and salt.
Stainless Steel Baking soda or mineral oil for shining and vinegar for removing spots.
Windows
  • Spray on diluted vinegar using a clean plastic spray container and wipe dry with newspapers.
  • Use a diluted sudsy ammonia solution and newspapers.
Fabric and Carpet Stains
  • Mildew and other Stains
    Use lemon juice and salt; or white vinegar and salt
  • Coffee and Wine Stains
    Use club soda, rub in gently and sponge dry with towels
  • Oil Stains
    Rub white chalk into stain before washing
Environmentally Friendly Furniture Polish

3 parts olive oil and 1 part of vinegar
or
2 parts olive oil and 1 part lemon juice

  • Rub with a soft cloth.

For other "Green" Ideas for Gifts, Special Occasions - Anytime click here

For information about The Green Shopper Program click here

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