We have the freedom to choose from countless products to clean our home. Just walk down the cleaning isle at the supermarket and look at the endless choices. If you are like me, you want the product that will do the job. You want the cleaner that will remove the dirt, the musty smells and the mold and grime. At the same time I want to make a choice that will preserve the health of my family, the environment and myself. Is it possible? By making the choice to use natural cleaning products it is possible.
Most of the cleaning products available on the market contain chemicals and toxins; formaldehyde, chloroform, styrene and triclosan, just to name a few. When you walk down the cleaning isle at the supermarket the fragrance of these chemicals will assault your nose. I have several friends that can’t even walk down the cleaning supplies isle as they will get a migraine.
There are two simple natural cleaning products that you can use that are just as effective, cost a fraction of the price, and are natural, non-toxic and will not harm our environment; these cleaning agents are baking soda and vinegar.
Baking soda helps regulate pH; it keeps a substance neither too acidic nor too alkaline. It has the ability to retard further changes in the pH balance, known as buffering. This dual capacity of neutralizing and buffering allows baking soda to do things such as neutralize odors (in the fridge) as well as maintain neutral pH (in the laundry water, which helps boost your detergent power).
Baking soda works well as a deodorizer, surface soft-scrub, oven cleaner, and a non-wood floor cleaner (1/2 cup baking soda to a bucket of warm water). You can make a simple cleaner by mixing three parts baking soda to one part water.
Vinegar consists of about 5-20% acetic acid, water and trace chemicals that may include flavorings. Dilution with water is recommended for safety and to avoid damaging the surfaces being cleaned. The acidity of vinegar dissolves mineral deposits from glass, coffee makers and other smooth surfaces.
Use vinegar for cleaning shower doors and windows. Dilute with water and apply to crumpled newspaper for best results. Use vinegar for polishing brass or bronze, silver and copper. It is effective in removing clogs from drains. Add 3 Tbsp. of baking soda to the drain and pour vinegar over the baking soda. Like baking soda you can use vinegar to clean non-wood floors. Combine ½ cup of white vinegar to ½ gallon of warm water. Floors have the greatest surface area of your house’ your pets and children live there. Why not use the least toxic cleaner.
There are many more ways to use these two basic cleaners, make your own all-purpose cleaner by combining ½ cup vinegar with 1 cup of water. If you miss the fragrance of your commercial cleaners just add some essential oils to the mix. By using natural cleaning products for your home you will not only be saving money but your will be making healthy choices for you and your family.
This pie is creamy and delicious and was an immediate hit with our company!
You walk into the open savannas and tangled pocosin typical of the southeastern coastal plant. There is even a salamander pool which is a breeding ground for local amphibians. My favorite was the water garden, There were numerous raised beds filled with aquatic plants all southeastern natives. the collection includes white water lines and American latch lilies as well as emergent plants like heartleaf pickelweed. I have to say I just loved the lilies.
Let the salad sit for about 15 minutes and serve on a bed of lettuce. This will give you time to grill some burgers on the grill which pairs perfectly with this salad.
Let cool 10 minutes and serve.
Nancy on the Home Front 