The Best Way to Clean Your Oven- secret ingredient!

The real question is: why did anybody ever bother inventing a bunch of chemicals to do a job that baking soda does so thoroughly and easily? It's, like, the biggest scam of the 20th century after Watergate.

So what's the big secret here?
Baking soda.  That's all.

1. Spritz water inside your oven, and sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda on the floor of the oven and the door. Grab a stiff-bristled scrub-brush.
2. Most tutorials say to let it sit overnight. I don't see the point. I just start in on the scrubbing right away, and everything comes up with no problem. You will achieve a nice, orangey-brown lather. (Yum!)
3. Once you've done the bottom of the oven and the door, sprinkle more baking soda onto your brush or the floor of the oven and attack the sides, back, and roof. I keep a bucket of water on the floor next to me so I can rinse the brush frequently.
4. Once you've scrubbed everything, take a wet rag, and wipe out all the baking soda. If you've missed a spot or need to touch up areas, repeat the first few steps.
5. Final step, use that wet rag and wipe out all the baking soda residue, rinsing it throughly, and giving it a couple go-overs. If you don't get it all the first time, after it's dry you might see a powdery residue that you'll have to wipe again. But no bigs, right?

All in all, it took about twenty minutes. No waiting for a 600 degree self-cleaning cycle. . .No losing brain cells over toxic fumes. . .You don't even need rubber gloves.

Composting?

When organic matter such as leaves, grass clippings and food scraps break down, you get compost, a dark, dirt-like "soil" that is rich in nutrients. Compost happens even without human involvement; for example, the leaves that fall on the forest floor (or even in your own backyard) will compost and return much-needed nutrients to the soil, like a slow-release fertilizer. How quickly natural matter turns to compost depends on many factors, from the size of the organic matter to the temperature and oxygen availability. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several years for organic matter to turn into compost. Many people, from gardeners to farmers to environmentalists, choose to compost for a variety of reasons. Although nature does all of the work, human involvement can help speed up the composting process to ensure the best possible conditions for nature to do its work. Composting is easy, and it has many benefits for the environment and your own backyard. Why compost?  Food and lawn waste makes up 25% of all waste in landfills. Although these natural materials are biodegradable, they do not break down properly in landfills, which are so densely packed that oxygen isn't readily available. When oxygen is withheld during the decomposition process, the organic matter may emit methane gas, which is 20 times more toxic than carbon dioxide. All this methane is bad for the environment, and the inhospitable conditions of landfills make it difficult if not impossible for natural materials to break down properly. Each ton of organic matter we can divert from a landfill can save 1/3 of a ton of greenhouse gases from being emitted into the environment. Plus, composting can provide you with your very own “black gold” for free, allowing you to condition and enrich your soil. When we think of recycling, plastic, paper, and glass may come to mind, but the most basic method of recycling is the timeless act of breaking down decaying organic matter and returning it back to the soil to once again be used for other living organisms to thrive upon. Let's stop thinking of yard waste and kitchen scraps as garbage and start reducing the waste we produce so we can save it from heading to the landfills to recycle and reuse it in our own backyards. Composting is the most natural and beneficial thing we can do for our gardens, flowers, vegetable plants and trees to replenish nutrients, improve drainage and water retention, and protect plant roots when used as mulch. Anyone can compost, whether you live on a 500-acre farm or in a 500 square foot apartment. At the most basic level, you can collect your kitchen and yard scraps in a pile outside, in a store-bought compost bin on your back porch, or in a plastic bin under the kitchen sink and then wait for Mother Nature to do her work.

Green Your Kitchen

Buy organic. Choosing organically grown foods, which aren’t treated with chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, when you have the option helps to reduce the pesticide burden on the earth. Read more about the reasons to choose organic food here, and then learn how to buy organic on a budget. BONUS: Organic foods are usually richer in nutrients too—they do a body good.  Eat locally. Besides tasting fresher, locally-grown food is more ecologically sustainable. It benefits farmers and the local economy, as the profits from what is grown near you stay in your community. Check out your local farmer’s market for the best just-picked fruits and vegetables of the season, and select produce that was grown using organic methods to compound the eco-benefits. Buy large quantities and freeze, can, or dry them to enjoy locally-grown food all winter long. Or start your own organic backyard garden—the ultimate in local food. BONUS: When you buy food that's been shipped across the globe, you have to "eat" those transportation costs when you buy. Local food is also seasonal, which means it tastes better and is also more affordable.  Use greener cleaners. Chlorine-free automatic dishwashing powder, petroleum-free soap, and non-toxic floor cleaner are all easy to find in most grocery stores. These products work just as well as their conventional competition, but leave behind less toxic residue for our bodies and the environment to process. You can also make your own cleaners with common household items like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, borax, and washing soda. BONUS: "Green" cleaners are usually better for people who have chemical sensitivities. Besides being better for the planet, they're healthier for everyone in your household. Drink filtered, not bottled. If you’re buying bottled water, consider this fact: In the state of California alone, nearly three million used plastic water bottles wind up in the landfill every day. Although you might recycle yours, keep in mind that it takes energy and resources to manufacture and transport these bottles—and to recycle them too. A better option is to buy a water filter that attaches to your kitchen faucet, and fill reusable bottles at the tap.

'Green' Your Kitchen -

Exile excessive packaging. Oats, popcorn, flour, pasta, dried fruit, beans, and even cereal can be purchased in the bulk section (also called the bag and weigh section) of your local natural foods grocery. Some mainstream supermarkets are even catching on to this eco-friendly trend. You simply scoop what you want out of a large covered bin and then the cashier weighs it when you check out. Although the store usually provides plastic bags, bringing your own reusable containers is a better option. Have a cashier weigh your containers while empty, and then the cashier will subtract that weight from the filled container.

If you can’t find your favorite foods in the bulk section, try to select the largest size that you can reasonably use (white vinegar will last forever, and can be purchased in gallon jugs, for example), or choose the brand that is packaged in cardboard or recyclable plastic, and be sure to recycle it when you’re through.

If you’re packing your lunch, use reusable containers instead of plastic baggies for lunch items, and tote them all to work or school in a reusable lunch bag. Many of these bags are insulated too, so your lunch will stay fresher.

BONUS: Packaging costs money too, so by buying in bulk and portioning out the food yourself, you'll save cash!

DIY- green cleaning products

The last thing you want to do is dump toxic chemicals into the environment in the name of cleaning, right? These days, you don’t have to make a special trip to the natural foods store to seek out environmentally-sensitive cleaning products. Seventh Generation, Method and Biokleen are three companies that make full lines of household cleaners, and you can find them in just about every store. These products work just as well as their conventional counterparts. Or you can stock your natural cleaning kit with homemade cleaners—making them yourself is super easy.

The basic supplies you’ll need to make your own green cleaners include:

• Distilled white vinegar (sold in the cooking section of most supermarkets)
• Baking soda
• Olive oil
• Borax (sold in a box in the laundry aisle)
• Liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner's brand, found in most natural foods stores)
• Essential oils (super concentrated natural plant oils found in natural foods stores, usually in the cosmetics section)
• Microfiber cleaning cloths
• Newspaper

Here are a few basic “recipes” and techniques to get you started:

• Glass: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Spray on glass and wipe clean with old newspaper or a lint-free cloth.
• Countertops and bathroom tile: Mix 2 parts vinegar and 1 part baking soda with 4 parts water. Apply with a sponge, scour, and wipe away.
• Floors: Mix 4 cups of white distilled vinegar with about a gallon of hot water. If desired, add a few drops of pure peppermint or lemon oil for a pleasant scent. After damp mopping the floors, the smell of vinegar will dissipate quickly, leaving behind only the scent of the oil.
• Wood furniture: Mix equal parts of lemon juice and olive and oil. Apply a small amount to a cloth, and rub onto the furniture in long, even strokes.
• Toilet bowl cleaner: Sprinkle a toilet brush with baking soda and scrub away! Occasionally disinfect your toilet by scrubbing with borax instead. Wipe the outside of the toilet clean with straight vinegar.
• Disinfectant: Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar, 3 cups hot water, and 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use a spray bottle. Wipe clean.
• Mold and mildew: Wipe with straight vinegar.
• Air freshener: Sprinkle essential oil on a cotton ball, and stash it in a corner of the room. If you have kids, make sure it is out of their reach as essential oils are very strong and could irritate their skin. Lavender is a relaxing scent that is great for bedrooms, and cinnamon, clove, and citrus oils are great for the rest of the house. You can stash a few in the car too—try peppermint, which may help you to stay alert.

Coming Up with Shared Solutions for Room mates

1. Recognize that your roommate may want the room/apartment/house clean (almost) as much as you do, but it's just not as natural for them to clean it to your expected extent. 

• This may be a case of re-education because they just don't have the knowledge or tools to know exactly what to clean or to what extent. Try to work out a system that works for both of you, and try to make it a team project as much as possible, not you against them.
• If there seems to be no definite reason behind your roommate's messiness, suggest a cleaning rotation for the house or flat. Suggest it in an non-confrontational way. For example, "I'm just going to stick up a cleaning rota to remind myself to vacuum on Tuesdays" etc. Ask the messy roommate which tasks suit him or her to get them involved. This should hopefully send a clear message.

Find out what messes you both can handle cleaning.

•  If your roommate cannot handle cleaning the kitchen, but doesn't mind cleaning the living areas, work out chores around this. Maybe you could handle the washing up, while your roommate does the sweeping / vaccuming. Finding chores that both of you can do will make cleaning easier than giving them chores they don't know how to do or hate doing.

Split things that need to be done around the place in two.

•  Clearly assign each of you the cleaning and tidying jobs. Without firm and definite jobs, messier people will often not realize (or care) that they were supposed to do something.

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Surviving a Messy Roommate

In lieu of our Roomate Cleaning Deal we've decided to blog on the best ways to survive a messy room mate.

1. Ask yourself whether your roommate is genuinely messy. 

•  Are you being reasonable or over-the-top about how much untidiness is acceptable in the room?
• Ask a friend to drop by and give an honest, objective opinion when your roommate isn't about. This can help to either confirm your impression or give you something to reconsider

2. Decide if you want to address the situation.

• Raise the issue politely,
• Don't raise it and bite your tongue daily or
• Avoid raising it while biding time until you can move out or trade rooms and bring in a "mess-lover". Which is likely to work best for you will depend on how entrenched you feel, whether exams/essay due dates are just around the corner or a whole term away and how well you and your roommate get along in other matters

3.  Address the issue 

• Begin by explaining that you feel uncomfortable living with socks on the floor, half-eaten packaging lying about and unwashed piles of clothing. Without whining, state some simple facts about why you feel hemmed in by what you see as mess. Be calm and sincere. Express the fact that your problem is with the mess, not with the roommate. At this stage, it's best not to sugarcoat things, but at the same time remember that afterwards you will have to continue to live with the person.
• As this is a very embarrassing topic, try to be as understanding as possible. Wait for a chance to talk when it is just the two of you, in a quiet, calm environment. Never blame the person outright for the mess, this will simply invoke hostility and anger. Instead, keep all statements as general as possible. For example, "I really wish we could all keep the house looking clean, don't you?", "I nearly tripped over that bag in the doorway. I wish everyone would just put their things away." By keeping it general, your roommate is less likely to feel under attack and is more likely to change his or her habits.
• Explain what you perceive as drawbacks to living with mess. Talk about bugs in the room, bad odors, and unsightly areas that prevent you from asking people in for a visit or study session. Be careful though, as your roommate might feel slighted, as you're suggesting he or she is causing bug infestations. If your roommate feels criticized, there is a risk of things getting even dirtier out of retaliation, so stay factual and be charming.

Talk about how each of you needs to feel at home in the room.

• Explain that being comfortable is about compromising both ways, to ensure that you are each happy living in the same room together. Messy, dirty and unhygienic doesn't work for everyone, but a reasonable amount of cleanliness works for everyone involved.
• Be prepared to distinguish between untidy and unhygienic messy. You may have to accept a certain amount of untidiness. However, you can push for tidiness for special occasions, such as a study hour with friends or for birthdays, etc

Cleaning Your Cleaning Tools: How to Clean a Mop Head

How to Clean a Mop Head

Have you ever wondered if the mop you were using to clean your floors was actually spreading germs around instead? This might be true if you are not cleaning your mop properly after each use. While some mop heads can be cleaned easier than others, we will touch on the three main mop heads: cotton loop, sponge and microfiber pads.

Rinse and Repeat

After you are finished cleaning your floors (or in between large areas) rinse your mop thoroughly in hot water and a cup of white vinegar. Repeat until water is completely clear. You can also rinse in plain, hot water, then soak the mop head or microfiber pad in full strength lemon* juice (don’t rinse). Hang outside in the sunshine* for maximum disinfecting power when possible. If not, allow to  dry thoroughly in between uses.

Wash those Germs Away

The most effective way to clean a mop head is by tossing it in the laundry. Microfiber pads and some removable mop heads (except for sponge heads) are machine washable but it is always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s instructions before washing. After cleaning your floors, rinse surface dirt off with hot water then simply toss in the wash using a non-toxic green, laundry detergent with a cup of white vinegar. Wash mop heads and microfiber pads separately from your usual laundry on the hottest setting.

Dishwasher Double Duty

Since washing your sponge mop in the washing machine is not an option, the next best thing is to use your dishwasher! The dishwasher does a terrific job of cleaning your sink sponges and can do the same for your mop head. After cleaning your floors, rinse away surface dirt with hot water, squeeze out excess  and place on the top rack of your empty dishwasher. Add  a cup of white vinegar to the detergent cup and run on the hottest setting. Once the cycle is complete, squeeze out excess water and set aside to dry completely.

*Both lemon juice and the sun will have a mild bleaching effect on colored fibers.

Operation Organization: How to Organize Your Home

Have you ever looked around your home and felt overwhelmed by the clutter invading your space? Toys, games and puzzles are all over the floor. Mail is piling up on the table. Pencils, crayons, and coloring books are messily shoved into the drawer just to get them out of the way. If that describes your home, here are several tips on how to organize your home.

First recognize that everything in your home should have its own place. If you don’t believe that, you will never get organized. Second, understand that every home, no matter how big or small, can be organized. Third, take action. Thinking about organizing your home won’t actually get rid of the clutter. So, without any further ado, here are tips on how to organize your home.

Home sweet decluttered home. Does your home often look like one huge playroom filled with coloring books, toys, stuffed animals, sippy-cups, building blocks, school supplies and dirty clothes? If you’re tired of having to tip-toe through the maze of mess, the first thing to do is to buy a few storage bins. Some families like colorful plastic bins, others prefer wicker or wood. Choose a kind that fits the décor of your home. Then find a place for the bins that make it easy to take items out and put them away. If your child is frequently playing on the living room floor, it may make sense to put a bin by the side of the couch or if you’re constantly cleaning up DVDs, place a bin near the TV.

Since clutter doesn’t magically find its way to the bins, involve your kids in decluttering your home. One way is to play “Let’s Go to the Toy Store.” In this game, you are the cashier and your kids are the shoppers. The merchandise is the toys on the floor. Put a bin on the floor near you and tell your child to go shopping. As they bring you the toys, tell them how much each costs, take their play money, and then have them place the toys in the bin. The floor will be clean of toys in no time. Another way is to play “I Spy.” Describe a certain toy on the floor – “I spy something brown and fluffy”—and then have your child put it into the bin when found.

Mail time! Sometimes mail isn’t always opened on the day it arrives and it just keeps piling up. One way to help keep the mail pile from getting out of control is to place two baskets or decorative containers near the front door. One container should be for important mail such as bills and statements; the other would hold mail that can be read at a later date. Recycle what you can and throw out what you don’t need.

Organize your mornings … at night. Do you ever feel rushed in the morning? Then don’t wait until morning to get your “morning” chores done. Make lunch the night before school. Get your clothes and your family’s clothes ready before you go to bed. Make sure your kids put their shoes, sneakers, and backpacks in the same place every time. Then, when you say “It’s time to go,” you aren’t searching the house trying to find these important items.

Organize your car. Technically, your car isn’t part of your home, but it is a huge part of your life … and having an organized vehicle can be just as satisfying and beneficial as an organized home. And keeping your car organized is all about having a place for your things. An inexpensive container is usually sufficient to hold a first-aid kit, hand sanitizer, tissues, activity books, and anything else you may need in a pinch. It’s also helpful to keep a small plastic bag for garbage. Think about how much cleaner your car would be without all the candy wrappers, coffee cups, and runaway Cheerios.

As you think about how to organize your home (and your life), don’t hesitate to re-purpose items you already own. Mason jars and mugs can hold pens and pencils, and a fruit basket can easily become a magazine holder. And, of course, it never hurts to give away (or throw out) items you no longer use.

How to Make Your Own Cleaning Products

These mix-it-yourself cleaners use environmentally friendly ingredients — like baking soda and vinegar — and are cheap, cheap, cheap! So if you've run out of your favorite cleaning solution, don't run to the store — try one of my standbys instead. If you're not sure it's right for the surface, test it on a small area first.

Glass Cleaner

• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup white or cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (70 percent concentration)
• 1 to 2 drops of orange essential oil, which gives the solution a lovely smell (optional)

Great for: Windows and mirrors

How to use: Combine ingredients and store in a spray bottle. Spray some solution on a paper towel or soft cloth first, then on the glass. To get smudge-free glass, rub vertically on one side and horizontally on the other. Hint: Don't clean windows on a hot, sunny day, because the solution will dry too quickly and leave lots of streaks.

Heavy-Duty Scrub

• Half a lemon
• 1/2 cup borax (a laundry booster; find it in the detergent aisle)

Great for: Rust stains on porcelain or enamel sinks and tubs

How to use: Dip lemon into borax and scrub surface; rinse. (Not safe for marble or granite.)

Grease Cleaner

• 1/2 cup sudsy ammonia mixed with enough water to fill a one-gallon container. (Sudsy ammonia, which has detergent in it, helps remove tough grime.)

Great for: Oven hoods, grills

How to use: Dip sponge or mop in solution and wipe over surface, then rinse area with clear water.

All-Purpose Cleaner and Deodorizer

• 4 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 quart warm water

Great for: Kitchen counters, appliances, and inside the refrigerator

How to use: Pour solution on a clean sponge and wipe.

Last-Resort Clothing Stain Remover

• 1 gallon hot water
• 1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent
• 1 cup regular liquid chlorine bleach (not ultra or concentrate)

How to use: Use only on badly stained washable or bleachable garments. Mix and pour ingredients into a stainless steel, plastic, or enamel bowl (not aluminum). Soak garment for 15 to 20 minutes. If stain is still there, let it soak a bit longer, then wash garment as usual.

White-Ring Remover

• One part white non-gel toothpaste to one part baking soda

How to use: Dampen a cloth with water, add toothpaste mixture, and rub with the grain to buff over the ring. Then take a dry cloth and wipe off. Use another soft cloth for a final shine. Polish as you normally would. Not safe for unfinished wood, lacquer, or antiques.

Dishwasher Stain Remover

• 1/4 cup powdered lemon or orange drink

How to use: To remove rust from the inside walls, pour the powder (which contains citric acid or citric acid crystals) into the detergent cup and then run a regular cycle. Repeat as necessary.

Marble Cleaner

• Mild dishwashing liquid (non-citrus-scented)
• Warm water

How to use: Mix a drop or two of detergent with 2 cups warm water. Sponge over marble and rinse completely to remove any soap residue. Buff with a soft cloth; do not let the marble air-dry. Caution: Never use vinegar, lemon, or any other acidic cleaner on marble or granite surfaces; it will eat into the stone.

Brass Cleaner

• White vinegar or lemon juice
• Table salt

How to use: For non-lacquered brass, dampen a sponge with vinegar or lemon juice, then sprinkle on salt. Lightly rub over surface. Rinse thoroughly with water, then dry well immediately with a clean soft cloth.

SAFETY TIP

Never combine ammonia-based cleaners with chlorine bleach or products containing bleach, such as powdered dishwasher detergent. The fumes they'll create are extremely dangerous. Before doing any mixing, read the product labels first.

How To Get Rid Of Mildew In Your Bathroom

To remove mildew from the corners of the tub, dip cotton balls in bleach and let them sit, when you finish cleaning the bath, remove cotton and rinse well. The mildew will be gone.

Don't let mildew grow in the corners of your bathroom! See VideoJug's top tips on how to get rid of mould and leave your bathroom sparkling clean

Step 1: You will need: 

• rubber gloves 
• cream cleaner 
• a metal scourer 
• a household sponge 
• an old toothbrush 
• a tub or bucket 
• and a cloth 

 Step 2: Prepare

Fill a tub with hot water and place it by the shower. Use the soft side of a household sponge to dampen down any areas afflicted with mildew.

 Step 3: Scrub

Squirt a generous amount of cream cleaner onto the abrasive side of a house hold sponge. Then get scrubbing. Jacqueline recommends a cream cleaner as it clings to the effected areas, making it easier to remove the stains. Unfortunately there is no quick fix for mildew, it's all down to elbow grease. If the mildew is very bad switch to a metal scourer, this is more abrasive so will require less scrubbing. 

Squirt on more cream cleaner and keep scrubbing until the mildew starts to lift. 

Use an old toothbrush for the hard to reach areas. Again squirt on the cream cleaner and get scrubbing.


Step 4: Rinse
Once the mildew has started to lift wipe down with a cloth. If the area still looks heavily stained scrub again. Keep going until you are happy with the result.

Keep ahead of mildew so it doesn't become a problem. Every six months spray your bathroom ceiling with a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. Peroxide is a safe bleach and won't harm the environment or your lungs. Find larger quantities of peroxide at beauty or medical supply stores. 

Spray the mixture on and leave it. No need to rinse or scrub. If you currently have mildew, follow the above directions. Wait two hours and respray. Then wait 24 hours and spray a third time if necessary. 

Bathroom Cleaning Tips

• Always keep an all-purpose cleaner and a sponge in the guest bath so you can sneak away and clean up when unexpected company shows up.
• • Keep a squeegee in the shower so everyone can wipe it down when they are done (this will help prevent mildew).
• • Steam helps to loosen build-up so why not clean while you're in there?
• • Disinfectant can be used on everything in the bath except the mirror.
• • Don't forget doorknobs and switchplates.

Cleaning Shower Mats

•  Dip a stiff brush in a kerosene and warm water solution to clean bath and shower mats.
   Easy Bathroom Cleaning
   Clean after a steamy bath or shower. The walls, fixtures, etc., will be much easier to clean because the steam will have loosened the dirt.
  

• For dark stains (like rust) rub with a paste of borax and lemon juice.
  
  Once a month, pour one cup of baking soda, followed by one cup of white vinegar down the drain. Wait an hour and flush with warm water. The combination fizzles away most of the buildup. Works for shower, tub and kitchen sink drains as well.Cleaning the Sink
  
  
  
  
  
  Bathtub Rings
  To avoid bathtub rings, don't use oily bath preparations. Use a water softener if you live in a hard-water area. Rinse the tub immediately after bathing.
  
   If a ring does form, wipe it off with undiluted ammonia (wear rubber gloves) or a wet sponge generously sprinkled with baking soda. Rinse clean and wipe dry. For a more stubborn stain, scour with automatic dishwashing detergent or rub with a cloth dipped in vinegar.
  
  Cleaning with Rubbing Alcohol
  
  Rubbing alcohol will clean the caulking around bathtubs. It also shines chrome and glass. Liquid chlorine bleach (1/4 cup to one gallon) will also clean caulk.
  
  
  
  Cleaning Toilet Bowl
  Clean the toilet bowl while you're away by pouring in 1/4 cup bleach and leaving it until you return.
  
  Keep the toilet bowl ring-free by pouring a half-gallon of white vinegar in it once a month. Let it soak overnight before flushing.
  
  Don't use bleach if you're already using a tank-held cleaner that's released when the toilet is flushed. The two may react chemically.
  
  To avoid clogging and odors, pour one cup baking soda down the bowl weekly.
  
  Ring around your toilet? Again, alkaline deposits cause those nasty rings. Depending on the hardness of your water, pour one or two cups of white vinegar into the toilet once a month to eliminate the problem.
  
  Toilet bowl rings - Here I take a deep breath and plead with you to follow these instructions. Repeat. Follow these instructions. Do not deviate or you will scratch the inside of your toilet bowl. 
  
  Turn off the water flow to the toilet and flush to remove the water. Saturate a couple of heavy duty paper towels with white vinegar or the Orange Citrus Cleaner. Place around the edges making sure all areas are covered. Keep the towels damp for several hours, even overnight, until the water spots start dissolving. Then scrub with a stiff nylon brush.
  
  If the white vinegar does not dissolve the whole ring, go to a janitorial supply store or a hardware store and purchase a pumice stone and a stiff toothbrush. Dampen one end of the pumice stone and keep it wet. 
  
  Gently, very gently, rub the pumice stone across the lines. When enough pumice builds on the sides, switch to a stiff bristle brush to continue working. Rub gently until the deposit disappears. Pumice will scratch the toilet. Use it only one time and cautiously. 

A few Odor-taming Tips

During nice weather, just open the windows! Let fresh air blow through.

To perfume the air naturally, cut a lemon in half and set the cut halves in an inconspicuous place, or rub a bit of vanilla on a light bulb

Most folks know that keeping an open box of plain baking soda in the refrigerator will neutralize bad odors. Sprinkle some into the bottom of the trash can and into the trash bag itself for similar results.

Half a cup of baking soda in two quarts of water and a soft cloth or brush also work well for cleaning the fridge, as well as scrubbing down and freshening the tub, tiles, sinks, drains, trash cans, and toilet bowls. For stronger disinfecting properties, scrub with a strong vinegar solution.

Fresh or leftover coffee grounds will also absorb unpleasant odors in a fridge, microwave, or cupboard. They’ll also sweeten the air inside your car or its trunk. For use in the car, place the grounds in a covered plastic container with holes punched in the lid.

Boil two parts water with one part vinegar in a microwave-safe container to remove bad smells from your microwave. The vinegar smell itself dissipates quickly.

Add half a cup of vinegar to a quart of water and allow to simmer on the stove for a few minutes. This will remove smell of burnt food and many other odors from your kitchen (and burned-on food from your stainless steel pots.)

Soak a piece of bread in vinegar and set it overnight in a lunchbox or wastebasket to remove built-up food odors.

Grind leftover citrus rinds in your garbage disposal to sweeten it. Or dump half a cup of salt down the drain and turn on the disposal. This loosens caked-on food and helps neutralize odor.

You can get most smells out of carpets, rugs, and upholstery (including vehicle interiors) by sprinkling liberally with baking soda. Leave the baking soda in place for several hours, then vacuum or shake it out.

Human/pet urine or vomit on carpets and upholstery can be trickier. If you can get at it immediately, blot first with a towel, then spray the area with a 3-parts cold water/1 part vinegar solution and blot (but don’t rub). Repeat several times if needed, until the smell disappears. The vinegar odor will dissipate in a few hours.

Old-timers swear by this method for removing set-in odors and stains from carpets and upholstery. It works especially well on pet urine and skunk smells. You might want to test for color-fastness by soaking a small, inconspicuous area with the solution and leaving it for 24 hours before you treat the area with the stain.

• Put on a pair of rubber or latex gloves.
• Gently mix a quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, a quarter-cup of baking soda, and a teaspoon of liquid soap in a plastic container. Don’t mix far in advance or store in a closed container.
• Pour or spray the solution directly onto affected areas and allow to sit for 24 hours before blotting excess liquid. Allow to air dry.

Removing Pet Stains from Carpet

There are methods and substances that can rid the odor associated with these types of accidents, and remove the carpet stains entirely. Here are some tips for removing pet stains from carpet:

• First clean up the initial mess. If the mess is a stool, pick it up with gloves and dispose of, and if it is wet- simply use the blot method to soak up the moisture without smearing or scrubbing. Blot and blot until the carpet is quite dry and carpet stain is removed.
• Sometimes the stain may be dried on the carpet fibers, the best way to treat this type of carpet stain is to moisten it. You can do this by applying a special carpet stain cleaning product specifically targeted at pet stains. To discover old urine stains in your carpet, you might want to use a black light, which you can purchase at a home supply store. A black light will usually show even old urine stains in your carpet. Turn out all of the lights in the room; use the black light to identify soiled areas, and lightly outline the areas with chalk on your carpet.
• To neutralize the odor and spot you will need to try several different tactics. Avoid using ammonia based products to clean dog urine. One of the ingredients of dog urine is ammonia and your pet may well be encouraged to re-offend in the same area because they smell the ammonia. So you can utilize this proven urine odor removal method. Simply create a solution of 1/2 white vinegar and ½ warm water. Spray this solution liberally onto the spot. Allow it to soak for several minutes and then proceed with the blot technique until stain is gone and spot is almost completely dry. When the area has almost dried sprinkle a good handful of baking soda over the soiled area. Mix half a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of mild liquid detergent. Ordinary liquid dishwashing detergent is suitable. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and slowly pour the hydrogen peroxide and detergent mixture over the baking powder. Work the dissolving baking soda well into the carpet, first with your fingers and then with a scrubbing brush. Allow the area to dry completely and then vacuum thoroughly.

Removing Coffee Stains from Carpet

Coffee stains can leave a carpet “dirty” or “brown” if not treated properly. It can cause the carpet to have a yellowish-brown tone that is quite noticeable. After blotting the dampness and coffee from the carpet you will want to follow these simple steps for removing coffee stains from your carpet:

• Dry the spot as well as possible with a dry cloth by blotting. If there is a substantial amount of spillage you can make sure you are not spreading the stain by changing cloths when they become saturated with the beverage.
• Try the mixture of vinegar, water, and Dawn detergent first with the spritzer method, rinse, and repeat.
• There are several products that are sold in such stores as Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreen’s, and other retail chains that sell specific cleaners for this type of carpet stain. Again testing a small patch of carpet in a less visible area is a good idea. Use product as directed, and beware some chemicals are harsh- wear gloves when using them as a precaution.
• There are certain types of carpets such as Polypropylene that will respond safely to a carpet stain treatment of water and bleach. You can create a mixture of 1/4 cup of bleach to 1 ¼ cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray the stained area, soaking it thoroughly, blot, rinse with warm water, and repeat until the carpet stain disappears.

Frugal Friday: Kitchen Cleaning Tips

A quick trip to the store to pick up a handful of kitchen cleaning supplies can quickly get out of hand. Between the high costs and toxic chemicals of many store-bought cleaning tools and cleaners, alternative solutions often turn out to be the smarter ones for both your home and your wallet. Here are a few ways to spend less on a clean kitchen.

1. DIY products

A simple online search for homemade cleaning products will leave you with hundreds of recipes, blog posts, tips and advice from frugal and environmentally conscious bloggers across the Internet. You’ll find inexpensive, kid-friendly alternatives for dishwashing detergents, disinfectants, general cleaners and anything else you might need to keep your kitchen looking fresh. Many of these solutions are safer for your home and easier on your budget than store-bought cleaners. Experiment with a few to find what works for you, and you may never go back to the expensive stuff.

2. Use what you have

By wisely using what you already have at home, you’ll think twice before purchasing unnecessary cleaning tools. This could be as simple as grabbing some scissors and making extra dishrags out of old towels. Or, instead of reaching for a new sponge, boiling the one you have with some baking soda, soaking it over night in white vinegar or just throwing it in the dishwasher, which will rid it of germs and help it last longer. And next time you’re peeling a lemon, don’t be so quick to throw the peels out. Putting them down your garbage disposal will freshen it up while clearing away food. These are just a few basic ways to take advantage of what you already have at home to cut down costs on extra supplies at the register.

3. Shop smart

There may be certain cleaning products that still need to be purchased from the store. Whether you need ingredients for your homemade solutions, or you’re just uncertain about the effectiveness of homemade hand soap, it’s best to go prepared. Make a list of exactly what you need and do some research on available sales and coupons before heading to the store to make your purchases. This will help you save money by avoiding impulse buys as you walk the isles full of supplies and products in search of the ones you actually need.

What to Look for in Green Cleaning Products

You use them to keep your house clean and safe, but soap and other cleaning products can actually be one of the biggest sources of dangerous toxins and chemicals in your home. Most household cleaning products contain a variety of manufactured chemicals that are potentially hazardous to the health of your family and the environment. For example, most solvents contain toxic volatile organic compounds (VOC), and detergents are made from phosphates that damage the environment. Fortunately, there are a range of non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products available to help with everything from cleaning your oven to soap scum removal to laundry.

General Cleaners

The most important thing to look for when choosing eco-friendly cleaning products is to ensure they are made from naturally occurring, non-toxic substances. Be sure to avoid cleaners containing phosphates, chlorine, and VOCs, all of which are toxic to humans or damaging to the environment. Instead, look for products that use plant-derived surfactants (the class of chemicals that act as cleansing agents). One of the most popular natural surfactant is d-limonene, which is derived from citrus. Others include lauramine oxide, TEA lauryl sulfate, and caprylyl/myristyl glucoside. These naturally occurring substances make excellent all-purpose cleaners for the kitchen and bathroom. A few suggestions include Tree Life home soap and Cloverdale all-purpose cleaner.

Soy-based cleaners also provide a safe alternative to toxic solvents. The active cleaning agent in soy-based products is methyl soyate, which is derived from soybean oil. Methyl soyate is most effective as a solvent, so it is an excellent, non-toxic option for removing grease and soap scum. It is sometime combined with the natural surfactants listed about to make an all-purpose soap. Soy cleansers can sometime warp plastics, so only use them on hard surfaces such as linoleum, porcelain, or granite.

Laundry

Eco-friendly laundry detergents are also available. Most will be made from coconut- and corn-based surfactants, and many will also contain natural water softeners. An added benefit of green laundry detergents is that they are free of the perfumes and other additives that can irritate your skin. Detergents are not required by law to list specific ingredients, so make sure the label specifies that the detergents is free of toxic chemicals (particularly phosphates) and other additives.

Also look for powdered oxygen cleaners to use as an alternative to bleach, which can be irritating to the skin, throat, and eyes and can permanently stain clothes. Oxygen bleaches use oxygen instead of chlorine to remove stains, and are made from either hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate, or sodium porborate. They won’t permanently stain fabrics and don’t release the toxic fumes that make regular bleach dangerous.

Enzyme Cleaners

Another alternative to common toxic cleaning products is to use enzyme-based cleaners. Enzymes are proteins that are necessary for most cellular processes, including decomposition. Enzyme-based cleaners work because they include specific enzymes that help break down organic material such as grease, dirt, and oil. They are especially good at removing the stains and odors left behind by pets. Enzyme cleaners are completely non-toxic and biodegradable.

When shopping for any kind of cleaning product, look for the EPA’s Design for the Environment label. Products carrying this logo have had each ingredient screened by the EPA, which has determined that the chemicals are the most environment and health friendly available.