I tried the clean-it cloths and the soap nuts....reluctantly! I was assured over and over to do it and that it would be great. It was hard to get used to not using a sponge and having this hand-ful of a cloth. Now I won't be comfortable in a house without them! I use these cloths for everything. They do a great job on wiping surfaces and cleaning up stove tops and stuck on spots. As for the soap nuts, yes it took a bit to get used to them! I like them now as a replacement for dish detergent! As for clothing I figured the ultimate test would be to wash my cloth diapers with soap nuts. To my surprise, they got clean. I did though throw in a bit of washing soda. I use the soap nuts several times over in warm washes and make the liquid for the cold washes. I find I do need to regrigerate it though since I make a double batch each time. Much to my surprise, I could make more soap than it said on the label! It is revolutionary to use these nuts for soap since our society is so programmed to use very bubbly fragrant detergents. I totally dislike the over fragrant soaps and they are bad for the environment. Soap Nuts are truly where we need to be going in this time of need to shift and take better care of our environment! Cheryl Botts

The Green Clean Revolution involves using cleaning products that are effective and have the smallest impact our environment possible. Many people will recognize some of these ideas as “old-fashioned”, but they worked then and they still work now.

Although your Clean-it Cloth will clean most any hard surface you might occasionally need some help. Here are a few simple solutions that you can make at home which will save you money. Most of these ingredients are already in your home and the formulas are easy to make. Non-toxic cleaning can give you a deep feeling of gratification knowing that you are protecting your home from harmful chemicals. Try experimenting to see what works best for you. You may even come up with your own recipes.

Non-chlorine Bleach

Non-chlorine bleach, or sodium per-carbonate, harnesses the incredible power of hydrogen peroxide and washing soda to whiten, brighten, and deodorize your laundry and fabrics. There are several different brands available and all are excellent for cleaning and removing stains. It is non-toxic, biodegradable. It breaks down to soda ash which will not harm the environment. More info can be found at: http://alsnetbiz.com/homeimprovement
/oxybleach.html

Baking Soda

We love the cleaning power of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). It is versatile, inexpensive and easy to use as a non-abrasive cleanser for kitchens and baths. It will not harm fiberglass. It also absorbs odors and softens water. You can even brush your teeth with it.

Washing Soda

Sodium carbonate, a chemical neighbor of baking soda, is more alkaline and a stronger cleaner than baking soda. Washing soda cuts through grease, oil, removes wax and lipstick, and neutralizes odors. It is a natural detergent booster, stain-remover, and freshener. It works well with the Soap-Nuts as an added grease cutter. Add ¼ cup to each load. It also works great to clean the Clean-it Cloth. Sprinkle a teaspoon in with soapy water. Gloves should be worn when using it because it is caustic. It releases no harmful fumes and is much safer than commercial solvents. Don’t use on fiberglass, aluminum or waxed floors as it will remove the wax.

Vinegar

White vinegar and lemon juice are both acidic and will neutralize alkaline substances such as scale from hard water. Acidic compounds will dissolve gummy build-up, eat away tarnish, and remove dirt from wood surfaces. Vinegar is also known as a powerful antibacterial.

Vinegar is a mainstay of the old folk recipes for cleaning, and with good reason. The vim of the vinegar is that it kills bacteria, mold and germs.

Mold Killers and Disinfectants

For a substance to be registered by the EPA as a disinfectant it must go through extensive and expensive tests. EPA recommends simple soap to use as a disinfectant There are many essential oils, such as lavender, clove, and tea tree oil (an excellent natural fungicide), that are very antiseptic even though they aren’t registered as such. Use one teaspoon of essential oil to 2 cups of water in a spray bottle (make sure to avoid eyes). An excellent antiseptic can be made from grapefruit seed extract spray by adding 20 drops of extract to a quart of water.

CAUTION!!
Make sure to keep all homemade formulas well-labeled, and out of the reach of children.

Washable....Reusable
Simplify your life!!!

Make Your Own
Cleaning Products

CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER

Pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Using this with your Clean-it cloth easily takes that bath tub ring. You can also just sprinkle the baking soda on your Clean-it Cloth to gently scrub any surface.
Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you need at a time.

WINDOW CLEANER

1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
Spray bottle

It is easier to just wash your window with theClean-it Cloth and water but here is the recipe for a cleaner.
Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.

OVEN CLEANER

1 cup or more baking soda
Water
A squirt or two of liquid detergent

Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning with your Clean-it Cloth because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven. If this recipe doesn’t work for you it is probably because you didn’t use enough baking soda and/or water.

ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER

1/2 teaspoon washing soda
A dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

FURNITURE POLISH

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

Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.

VINEGAR DEODORIZER

Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board and in your bathroom and use them for cleaning. I often spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and don't even rinse but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.

Vinegar breaks down hard water stains and built up deposits in your faucets and sprayers. Soak a rag with vinegar and wrap it around your faucet. Soak your sprayer in a small bowl of vinegar for an hour. This will loosen up the hard water calcium build up.

MOLD KILLERS

TEA TREE TREASURE
Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. I've used it successfully on a moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug, and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.

2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes two cups.

VINEGAR SPRAY
Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.