Greenlinks Blog
Be a Mean Green Cleaning Machine
-There are some cleaning projects that are so tough it is easier to walk away rather than spend time and frustration on unsatisfactory results. One is the greasy barbecue grill and the other is the bathtub. Commercial cleaners don't work, irritate your nose and eyes and make you cough. No matter how hard you rub, the dirt and grease stay put.
When you read the bottle instructions, it says don't inhale the fumes, use rubber gloves and ventilate the area. Commercial cleaners use hazardous ingredients; some of them toxic and petroleum based.
This year throw the commercial bottles away and make your own environmentally safe cleaning products that won't hurt you or your pocketbook.
Mix your own heavy-duty cleaner that works on grease and mildew.
Recipe:
1 teaspoon liquid castile soap. You may have to go online to find a store in your area that carries it. Otherwise find a detergent that is coconut-oil based.
1 teaspoon TSP. This is purchased in hardware stores in a powder or liquid.
1 teaspoon borax. This is found in the laundry detergent area of a grocery store.
1 teaspoon vinegar.
1 quart hot water.
Mix the ingredients in a bowl and apply to the grill or mildew with a microfiber cloth, or scrubbing sponge. Light areas of grease and mildew will come right off while heavier areas will need multiple applications. Rinse with water when you are through.
You will be surprised how easily the grease build up comes off a grill. Once you use this on a grill, you will find other uses for it. You can also put this cleaner in a non-aerosol spray bottle.
Bathtubs and sinks:
Soap scum removal in a bathtub or sink is easy with baking soda, a common household product. Make a paste with baking soda and water (you don't need much water) and apply to the tub or sink with a scrubbing sponge or microfiber cloth. The soap scum and dirt will come right off. Rinse with water to finish the job.
If you have years of soap build up where the tub meets the wall, apply the baking soda paste to the area and leave for at least half an hour. Then using a scrubbing sponge, toothbrush or microfiber cloth, rub the area. It may take more than one application, but the results will leave you feeling mean and green.