Green Cleaning Products You can Make Yourself

I just learned about some very cool cleaning products you can make yourself as part of your strategy to be "green."

We are overwhelmed with chemicals in our lives, and some of the worst can be found under your kitchen and bathroom sinks. Have you ever looked at all that you have? Wondered about the harm these can cause - to pets, humans and the environment?

Well, you don't have to settle for using these products in your cleaning. Nor spending huge sums of money.

Here are some recipes for some cleaning products from Vida Verde - The Brazilian Women's Co-opin Allston, MA (next to Boston), with a focus on "environmentally sound cleaning." The work this group is doing to further the use of environmentally green products in the home cleaning industry, and to support the efforts of so many engaged in this work in the Boston area, is truly impressive. Visit their website (in Portuguese and English). They were recently interviewed on NPR as well.

For more information, or any questions, contact MONICA CHIANELLI:

VIDA VERDE

569 Cambridge Street, Allston, MA  02134

(617) 787-0557 x.17

(617) 779-9586 fax

Email: MChianelli@hotmail.com

The group recommends the following general instructions (this is a quote from their instructions on making these products, translated from Portuguese):

•·              Use always white vinegar 5% acidity

•·              Water is a universal solvent and the most basic cleaner. But the mineral in water can inhibit the cleaning action of soap this way you should use purified water to increase the effectiveness of the products that you are making

•·              Just reuse bottles that had never be used with chemicals before.

•·              Make sure to include label on the bottles with name and all ingredients contend on the product.

•·              We use Vitamin E as preservative on this recipes

Here are 2 of the products they recommend and use. If you are interested in more information and other products (and the recipes), please contact Vida Verde in the Boston area (contact information above). 

AMAZING (Glass Cleaner)

Gallon:  11 cups of water, 5 ½ cups of vinegar, 2 tsp.  Peppermint Essential Oil

Bottle: 2 cups of water, 1 cup of vinegar, 20 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

Spray onto glass and wipe; takes away bad smells; can prevent mold and mildew; dissolves soap film and mineral deposits; spray on bathtub walls and on shower curtain to prevent soap build-up

FANTASTIC (All-Purpose Cleaner)

Gallon: 2 tsp. Baking soda, 3 tsp. Borax, 1 cup vinegar, 15 cups water, 2 cups soap

Bottle: ½ tsp. Baking Soda, 1 tsp. Borax, 2 tsp vinegar, 450 ml. Water, ¼ cup soap

Spray and wipe; use to clean all surfaces; rinse with wet cloth or AMAZING (or FABULOUS) to take out soap film. CAUTION: Borax is an eye irritant and can be harmful if swallowed.