Stowe Free Library

Our program with StoweCAN on Tuesday, Nontoxic Housecleaning, was the last in our series Living la Vida Local. It's been a great series, and this program was enjoyed by all.

 

Amy shared several great tips and recipes from her book Nontoxic Housecleaning, published by Chelsea Green and available at the library. For example, Amy pointed out that most people first try non-chemical cleanerson their windows, using vinegar and water -- but then it comes out streaky! Amy let us know that commercial window cleaners have surfactants, which leaves a coasting on your windows and causes the streaks -- if your vinegar and water solution for windows streaks, add a couple of drops of castile soap in the spray bottle.

 

Amy also shared that a little bit of olive oil on a rag is perfect for cleaning stainless steel appliances.

 

Amy's Powedered Laundry Soap

Put one bar of soap (anything without artifical colors or skin softeners; Amy recommends Ivory or Elmore Mountain Soap -- the essential oils are ok) in a food processor with the grater blade dedicated to non-food use.

 

Replace the grater attachment with the typical blade, and add in 1/2 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax and 1/2 cup of Super Washing Soda. Both of these are available in the laundry aisle of a typical supermarket. Blend and place in a well-marked container, using 2 tablespoons in a front-loading washing machine and 1/4 cup in a top loading machine.This recipe makes enough for about a dozen loads.

 

The powdered soap does not work as well with hard water, which may cause build up in your machine or could make your whites dull. To combat this, Amy suggests alternating between this homemade soap and the laundry detergent available at the store, or adding 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle, using the fabric softener cup on your machine.

 

The amazing thing? All of the ingredients cost about $10, and will easily clean over one hundred loads.

 

All-Purpose Cleaner

In a 32oz spray bottle, add, in the following order:

 

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup white vinegar

 just under 3 cups of water (you want to top off the bottle)

1 tablespoon castile soap -- Amy recommends a citrus scent

 

Shake, and spray -- perfect for counter tops, cutting boards (let it sit a bit, as the vinegar and lemon juice will disinfect and kill salmonella), your bathroom sink, etc.

 

Amy also suggested adding essential oils to your cleaners -- she likes rosemary essential oil and spearmint essential oil together.

 

These two recipes are just a small sample of the cleaners in the book. What chemical cleanser will you try replacing?