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• 20 Recipes for Environmentally-Friendly and Non-Toxic Cleaners
• Clean and Non-Toxic- Stain Removers
• Natural Cleaning Products
• 9 Ways to Re-Use Lemon Juice

• 20 Recipes for Environmentally-Friendly and Non-Toxic Cleaners
• Clean and Non-Toxic- Stain Removers
• Natural Cleaning Products
• 9 Ways to Re-Use Lemon Juice
• Green and Save-Soap Savers

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safely and quickly. These natural formulas are safe for the environment, non-toxic to children and animals and are much cheaper than the big name brands on your supermarket shelves.

For recipes that include liquid soap, use a castile or peppermint based soap. For detergents, look for vegetable-based, as opposed to petroleum-based.

All-Purpose Cleaners

Recipe #1.

• • 1 cup vinegar
• • 1-2 tbsp. salt

Recipe #2.

• • 1 tsp liquid soap
• • 1 tsp. borax
• • Squeeze of lemon
• • 1 qt. warm water

Recipe #3

• • 1/4 cup baking soda
• • 1/2 cup borax
• • 1/2 cup vinegar
• • 1 gallon water

Bathroom Surface Cleaner and Deodorizers

Recipe #1

• • 1-2 tbsp. baking soda
• • 1/4 cup vinegar
• • Pour ingredients on a damp sponge and wipe down surface

Recipe #2

• • 1/2 cup baking soda
• • 2-3 tbsp. liquid soap

Recipe #3

• • 1/2 cup baking soda
• • Liquid detergent (enough to create a paste)
• • Pour into bowl, mix and scoop onto sponge

Oven Cleaners

Recipe #1

• • Salt (as necessary)
• • Vinegar-water mixture (1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup water)

While oven is warm, pour salt on dirty areas. If the spots are dry, dampen them with water before applying salt. When oven cools, scrape off grime. Rub baking soda onto trouble spots and wash with vinegar-water solution. Rub with fine steel wool, wipe and rinse off.

Recipe #2

• • 2 tbsp. liquid soap
• • 2 tsp. borax
• • 1 qt. warm water

Spray on oven and let sit for 20 min before wiping clean. Use steel wool on tough spots

Toilet Bowl Cleaners

Recipe #1

• • Sprinkle 1/4 cup baking soda into bowl
• • Drizzle with vinegar

Let sit for 1/2 hour, then scrub well with toilet brush. For stains, add borax. Warning: DO NOT mix with store-bought cleaners. This will create toxic fumes.

Recipe #2

• 2/3 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup liquid soap
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbs. vinegar
• Several drops essential oil (optional)
• 1/2 cup borax or baking soda

Mix soda and soap, then add water and mix. Then add vinegar and mix. Sprinkle 1/2 cup borax or baking soda onto toilet brush and apply mixture.

Glass Cleaners; For all mixtures, combine into spray bottle

Recipe #1

• • 1 cup water
• • 1/2 cup vinegar
• • 2 drops liquid soap

Recipe #2

• • 2 tbsp. borax
• • 3 cups water

Recipe #3

• • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
• • 3 tablespoons vinegar
• • 2 cups water
• • Add to spray bottle and shake

Hard Floor Cleaners

• Recipe #1
• • 1 cup white vinegar
• • 2 gallons hot water

Recipe #2

• • 1/8 cup liquid soap or 1/4 cup borax
• • 1/4 – 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar or lemon juice
• • 1/2 cup fragrant herb tea
• • 1 gallon hot water

Carpet Cleaners

Recipe #1

• • Borax
• • Soapy water
• • Vinegar
• Dampen area and rub borax into stain. Let dry and vacuum. You can also blot with vinegar and soapy water.

Furniture Polish

Recipe #1

• • 1/2 teaspoon oil (olive oil, jojoba, or liquid wax)
• • 1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice

Mix ingredients in glass jar, dab soft rag in solution and wipe onto wood

Recipe #2

• • 10 drops lemon oil
• • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• • 2-3 drops olive oil or jojoba oil

Combine in bowl, saturate sponge, squeeze excess mixture and wipe surfaces

Mold and Mildew Cleaners

Recipe #1

• • 2 tsp tea tree oil
• • 2 cups water

Combine in spray bottle, shake and spray on mildew. Don’t rinse.

Recipe #2

• • 20 drops grapefruit seed extract
• • 2 cups water

This is a guest post from Alex Juel, who works with Denver Concierge, a Denver maid service providing cleaning services in the metro and front-range areas.

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Whatever the season insects can be intriguing but give us all an uncomfortable feeling when they buzz around our ears, harass lights while we are trying to concentrate, or crawl in places we’d rather they stay away from. A further issue is that many of the popular dispersal methods come from products with harmful chemicals that should only be used when an exterminator is absolutely necessary.

The following is a rundown of twenty-five natural ways to repel insects that are worth taking note of instead of dousing the home or office with substances detrimental to your own health.

Some are plant based, easy to grow and can be used in many different ways such as making essential oils, crushing the leaves and putting them in sachets around the house or smearing the leaves on your skin or clothing. (If you use them remember to try a few drops on one part of the body to make sure you are not allergic. If you are ok apply and reapply every one to two hours.)

Others are simply practical steps to help avoid and repel various types of pests:

1. Mint: Unless you want it to take over the garden keep it in containers when growing at home. If you don’t mind it spreading it will not only provide ample leaves for tea throughout the year but will help keep away many insects, most notably mosquitoes.
2. Basil: Easy to keep alive it will grow in various climates and acts as a natural pesticide when planted next to certain vegetables like tomatoes. Repels flies and mosquitoes.
3. Thyme: Repels insects and breaks stuffy odors.
4. Cedar: Moths hate cedar, which is why many old closets used to be made of this wood. Cedar chips in sachets placed in dressers will work but the chips need to be replaced every so often.
5. Citronella: One of the best non-toxic forms of mosquito control available, many products use it in their ingredients though there’s nothing
   

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   as pure as the real thing. Citronella candles are widely used but always remember to be careful not to leave fire unattended.

6. Garlic: Eating garlic or food with a lot of garlic has been known to ward of mosquitoes since they can’t stand the smell and it stays with the body for a while.
7. Eucalyptus: It’s known to be as effective as low concentrations of some of the chemical bug sprays on the market.
8. Rosemary: This herb needs little water and makes a great addition to the landscape. It repels mosquitoes, mites, and other annoying pests.
9. Lavender: Like Rosemary lavender is an amazing herb to grow and has many uses including repelling mosquitoes, fleas, and moths.
10. Peppermint: Repels ants, aphids and a host of other bugs. People love to make peppermint tea but did you know you could take the tea and spray it on plants as an insecticide!
11. Cloves: Oil of cloves is a very effective mosquito repellent.
12. Catnip: There has been a debate in recent years over the power of catnip in repelling bugs. Nevertheless it’s potent and should be taken advantage of.
13. Tea tree oil: Among its many uses is a repellent against fleas and safe to spray on pets
14. Marigolds and other flowers: They work to deter insects including cutworms and parasitic nematodes.
15. Treating: Treat clothing with any of the relevant natural methods listed above.
16. Fans: Put on a fan where you are sitting or sleep.
17. Scents: Don’t wear sweet or fruity smelling perfumes.
18. Colors: Don’t wear dark clothing; mosquitoes are attracted to it.
19. Cover up: Wear long pants and long sleeves.
20. Body odor: Don’t run outside when you are perspiring which will attract mosquitoes.
21. The extremities: Keep hands and feet covered as best as possible; they are the coolest part of body i.e. the extremities, and most susceptible to bites.
22. Ultrasonic devices: they have mixed reviews but worth trying out.
23. Incense: Works for some and not for others.
24. Vitamin B1: No conclusive proof it works but like eating garlic it’s said to secrete a smell through the skin that people can’t sense but that insects dislike.

There are many natural products on the market which are said to work great and don’t contain the harmful DEET chemical in most bug sprays. If necessary try them out and if none are available and there is a risk of mosquitoes carrying a disease or virus in your area don’t hesitate to use whatever protection you can find.

Submitted by Guest writer Jakob Barry writes for Networx.com. He covers various eco-friendly home improvement topics including insect and commercial pest control

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We’re all doing our part to improve air quality in our own country and abroad. We’ve largely given up aerosol sprays, hybrids have flooded the market, the EPA has stricter standards for manufacturers who pollute the air, and Al Gore made a movie about global warming. In short, we’ve had to sit up and take notice of the effect air pollution is having not only on our environment, but also on our health.

And because most of us want to leave the planet in better shape than we found it, we’re more than happy to take steps to improve air quality by reducing pollution, greenhouse gases, and ultimately, global warming. However, most of us never think to look at the quality of the air we breathe in our own homes. And there are several toxins and gases that you may be breathing in night and day without even knowing. Here are a few of the usual suspects that you should consider ousting.

1. Chemical cleaners. Some of the worst offenders (and generally the least recognized) when it comes to air pollution are chemical solvents for cleaning. They often lead to asthma in adults and when mixed improperly, can even cause poisoning and death (ammonia + bleach = deadly chlorine gas). So ditch the chemicals and go for all natural green cleaners like those offered by 7th Generation and Green Works.

2. Pesticides. You don’t want your house overrun by cockroaches or ants, but if you’re spraying pesticides in and around your home, you are inhaling the same toxins that you use to kill bugs. Not only is it bad for your lungs, these chemicals can also work their way into the cells in your body to cause later damage. Instead, surround your house with naturally repelling plants (tobacco, onions, garlic, pepper, chrysanthemums, etc.) and use a mixture of dish-soap and water to spray bugs that wander over the threshold (or simply shoe them back outside).

3. VOCs. Volatile organic compounds are most commonly found in interior paint and they can seep into your air for years after the paint has dried. But don’t think that means you can’t have the bright and beautiful walls you desire. Simply use one of the many paint products on the market that is VOC-free.

4. Carbon monoxide. Gas-powered appliances (furnace, stove, etc.) are the major culprit of carbon monoxide in the home. You can attempt to install other means of heating (wood burning stove) and cooking (electric stove), but if gas is already in place, just make sure your appliances are properly ventilated and that you have CO₂ detectors around the house.

5. Second-hand smoke. If you partake of cigarettes, cigars, or other smokable items, or you live with someone who does, you are putting yourself and your family at risk for one of the deadliest inhalants on the planet: second-hand smoke. Even more toxic than actual smoking, this is one of the major causes of in-home air pollution. Do whatever you can to quit (or at least take it outdoors) and then consider fumigating your home (since smoke residue can hang around even after you put down the pack).

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We all know that cleaning products can contain chemicals that can be toxic for the environment as well as for us. An eco friendly option for carpet cleaning is Oxi Fresh.

Personally, this is a better option for me because as someone with allergies, anything that helps to reduce my running nose is my number one choice. I know for a lot of people they are also sensitive to cleaning products and the chemical smell that comes along with them. With Oxi Fresh, they use non-toxic solutions, so it decreases those toxins in the area. And let’s face it; no one likes that gross chemical smell in their home. Another thing that is nice about this option is their fast one hour dry time. This way you are not alienated from your home all day.

Oxi Fresh touches on a couple different eco friendly topics: water and chemicals. While doing research for this topic, I learned how stream cleaners worked. Normally, truck mounted carpet cleaning systems are used. This means that the machine is attached to a truck outside, and therefore that vehicle outside is left running during the entire job in order to power the machine. We all know what the result of that is: excessive pollution. With Oxi Fresh, they have portable carpet cleaning machines so the truck isn’t running while your home is being cleaned. By using a portable machine, only 2 gallons of water are used compared to 40 gallons from a steam cleaner. This product also uses low Volatile Organic Compounds. Basically, VOC’s release organic compounds into the air and are not acutely toxic. The result: better indoor air quality.

Submitted by Guest Blogger Nicole

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Danger Asbestos

The term asbestos is translated from a Greek adjective that means inextinguishable. The Greeks praised asbestos as the miracle mineral because of its soft texture and superb resistance to heat. A naturally occurring mineral that is found in the soil or in various rock formations, asbestos exists in a variety of colors, forms, and chemical compositions. Asbestos, in one form or another, was mined countries around the world.

In addition to its resistance to heat, asbestos also withstands damage from electricity and chemicals; asbestos also possesses superior sound absorption properties and a high tensile strength. Because of the many desirable properties of asbestos, the substance became a widely utilized material in the construction and manufacturing industries near the close of the 19^th century—use of the popular material declined dramatically in the 1970s when asbestos associated health risks became widely known. 

Types of Asbestos

There are six types of asbestos that are classified as: chrysotile; amosite; crocidolite; tremolite; anthophyllite, and actinolite. One of the chief differences between chrysotile asbestos and other forms of the mineral is the shape and length of the fibers. While chrysotile fibers are curled and flexible, most others are brittle and needle shaped. Asbestos fibers are not water soluble, do not  degrade over time, and are too small to be seen by the naked eye.

Because of its flexible fibers, chrysotile asbestos is the type most widely used by industry; it is estimated that chrysotile asbestos accounts for approximately 95% of the construction materials found in older residential, institutional, and industrial structures today. Chrysotile asbestos can be found in building materials such as:

• Siding and roofing
• Ceiling and floor tiles
• Pipe insulation
• Rope seals for boilers
• Electrical insulation and more

Human Exposures to Asbestos Should be Limited

Because lung inhalation exposures to microscopic, airborne asbestos fibers are strongly associated with a risk to health, such exposures should be avoided. Asbestos causes asbestosis as well as the cancer  a malignant mesothelioma.  Exposure to asbestos fibers can occur in a wide variety of ways. Asbestos in the soil or rock formations can result in airborne exposures if the material is disturbed. Individuals who reside in areas near an asbestos mine may be exposed to airborne asbestos fibers, and air quality samples should be examined closely and on a continual basis to ensure that no such contamination exists. All forms of airborne asbestos fiber exposure should be guarded against through the use of air filtration masks or other types of breathing devices in areas such as:

• Construction demolition or home remodeling sites: Many older structures may house asbestos containing materials. When fractured, these materials can release significant amounts of microscopic asbestos fibers into the air.
• Landfills or other waste collection sites: Asbestos containing materials or products are often illegally deposited in town dumps or similar sites. These asbestos materials are oftentimes in a disturbed or fractured state, and all individuals should protect themselves against asbestos fiber inhalation at such locations.
• Manufacturing facilities: Many manufacturing sites, whether closed or operational, may contain asbestos fibers. When in doubt about the presence of asbestos, breathing protection should always be worn. Additionally, any clothing that may become contaminated with asbestos must be handled with great care, and to be safe, discarded. Industrial hygiene practices are better today, but in the past, workers at the plants and factories that made asbestos products were often the victims of the material.  The long latency period of mesothelioma means that the cancer shows up decades after asbestos exposure.
• The home: Many older and some new household appliances may contain asbestos. Asbestos has been found in such items as toaster ovens, older model electric stoves, etc. Asbestos has also been discovered in children’s toys, hair rollers, certain types of caulks and sealers, etc.

Be aware of asbestos hazards at home and at the workplace.

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Seventh Generation is launching a Million Baby Crawl to Washington to protest toxic ingredients in household cleaning products.

I Just Gotta Tell Ya

• Of the 80,000 plus chemicals, only 200 have been tested by the EPA
• In 2006, poison control centers reported about 2 Million unintentional poisoning.
• U.S Poison Control Centers- A child is accidentally poisoned every 30 seconds at home.
• The Average American uses about 25 Gallons of toxic hazardous chemical products per year in their home.
• The toxic chemicals in household cleaners are 3x more likely to cause cancer than air pollution.

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Eco Smart Organic Pest Control

I don’t get bitten by mosquitos, spiders don’t bother me, but I hate ants! Last week after a rare bit of rain, the ants invaded not only my house but my neighbors as well! Fortunately I had my handy Organic Ant Killer and poof the ants were gone in my house and my neighbors. Not only were the ants gone, there was no lingering toxic, stinky smell, it actually smelled good.

Eco Smart has a full range of non-toxic and organic insect control products. Safe for you, kids and family pets. The products are made from organic plant oils such as rosemary, peppermint, thyme, lemongrass, cinnamon, sesame and clove oils. Good for you and good for the environment.

The best part is Eco Smart is they are offering a GIVE AWAY PROGRAM!! This contest is open to US residents only and you can win the full package of Eco Smart organic products.

It’s Easy and Open from Nov. 6th to Nov. 15, 2009

All you have to do is make a comment on this post on why Eco Smart is Good.

One Comment= One Entry

Winners will be announced next week and Eco Smart will send the winners an organic insecticide package.

Just to let you know- while I have advertising on my site, when I do a review, my opinions are honest. Eco Smart gave me a bottle of Organic Ant Killer months ago, and I have waited until I had ants to give a review based upon actual experience. I really do like the product and will use it again and it works. Just thought I would tell ya. Similar Posts:

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Biodegradable Bag by Earthpack

While at the Action Sport Retailer show in San Diego a few weeks ago, I was given this new biodegradable bag to test in my compost by Earthpack a supplier of recycled bags and boxes to environmentally aware retailers. The bag is made of tapioca starch and meant to biodegrade within one year (as opposed to never with standard plastic bags). Not only that it contains natural and sustainable resources, no toxic gases thus reducing our addiction to oil and other fossil fuels. Click here for more information on how they process the tapioca to make the bags.

Earthpack with their environmental commitment to biodegradable bags has saved:

• 7,850 Barrels of Oil
• 1,287,400 Kilowatt hours
• 2,198,000 Gallons of water
• 53,380 Cubic Yards of landfill.
• 9,420 Trees

I wish I could tell you if the bag has composted yet, but it’s only been 2 weeks since I put it in the compost- no matter what- I hope this is a hot seller for Earthpack as we need more companies like them with environmental and sustainable commitments, working to lessen our addiction to oil and water.

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Apple Polishing- Less Water Car Detailing

Paul has been detailing my car for years, and when I told him I was doing this post on Green Car Washing- he set out to enlighten me a little more. Not only that he is working on perfecting a new Eco Friendly Car Wash System- using less water! I asked him to send me some more information- about car washing- 

We  need to conserve water in San Diego and water rationing is something we are going to have to get used to. In fact, mandatory water rationing is in place in other parts of the country as well. This grim reality affects everyone who likes to keep their car clean. Since I own and operate an auto detailing service in San Diego I have looked hard at this problem and done a good amount of research. In my business we have complied with the local water runoff and reclamation laws for years but now we also have to save water. I care about our environment and want to do my part to preserve our natural resources, so I looked at the alternatives.

Waterless car wash

This method can be done by almost anyone, doesn’t require any special skill and is fairly inexpensive. There is really no such thing however as a completely waterless car wash since there is water in the car wash solution that you spray on the car. Also when you think about it, you will use a lot of water running those dirty micro fiber towels through your washing machine.

Those towels will degrade quickly and begin scratching the car’s finish so you will need to buy new towels often. You will also get a layer of sludge that will build up in your washing machine and will need to be cleaned regularly so you don’t soil your nice clothes. This is a decent alternative but I felt I needed to look farther.

Steam Cleaning

This method does use much less water than a traditional car wash but it is designed for professionals and it is expensive. The systems are usually bulky and require power to run which will add to the cost of the wash and also be less ecofriendly. I can see how a detail shop might benefit from a steam cleaning system but it won’t work for the average person so I felt I needed to look farther.

When I was looking for a water saving alternative to our normal car wash system I had some criteria that had to be met.

1. It must save a substantial amount of water.
2. It must be as good if not better than the system we were using.
3. It must have a low impact on the environment.
4. It should be something that anyone can do.
5. If it could save time and money, that would be a bonus.

Less Water car wash

This method uses a concentrate that is mostly bio-degradable and it is mixed with less than a half gallon of water to wash an entire car. A pressure washer typically uses between 5 and 10 gallons of water per car wash.

I tested this system extensively and had such good results that I started incorporating it in my business. The cars are now looking better than ever and it’s saving us time too. Car washes that used to take 45 minuets to complete are now being done in less than a half hour. There is no water run off so it is compliant with all city and state regulations for our storm drains. The excess water can be used to water your outdoor plants without harming them in the least. It’s also less expensive since it is a concentrate and requires no energy to run.

The Less Water Car Wash is a proprietary system that we are working to make available to other professional detailing services as well as the general public.

You can stay up to date with our Less Water car wash system and when it becomes available at… http://www.applepolishingsystems.com

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