Clean, Green and Cheap

Whether we squirt, spray, foam, or wipe, commercial cleaners mean that we are adding to the chemical imprint on our homes and the environment. Many of us grew up believing that we needed to live sanitized, germ-free lives. Instead, we should be focusing on becoming an integrated part of the ecosystem. This will result in fewer cases of asthma and allergic diseases.

I like to use baking soda as a cleaner: it comes in small, inexpensive boxes and bulk containers. It works well for the following cleaning needs:

• Mix baking soda and water into a 50/50 paste for scrubbing bathtubs, tiles, sinks, chrome, and pots and pans. Rinse thoroughly with water.
• Use the same paste to clean vinyl dolls and toys.
• Add one teaspoon of baking soda to a cup of water, stir, and use in a spray bottle with a fine mist setting for an easy and inexpensive air freshener.
• If food has gone bad in a plastic storage container, sprinkle the container with baking soda, close the container tightly, and let it sit overnight. Then wash and rinse as usual. The smell will be gone.
• Leave an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator and freezer to remove odors. Change each month.