Happy Earth Day!

Today and until the end of the month, your challenge is to help create a healthier world by making some changes in your daily routine.

How about trying a meat-free diet or green your cleaning routine? Or put an “out of order” sign on your TV or maybe stop buying to much/new stuff?

Everylittle thing help, so don't be shy, try to make a little change. It may be as simple as shutting off the TV if you're not watching it!

Words on cleaning - cheap and easy!

Vinegar and baking soda, mixed with aromatic essential oils or natural dish soap have hundreds of household cleaning applications. Mix them with water in a spray bottle, and you’ve got an all-purpose cleaner for countertops, tiles, toilet bowls and much more. If you prefer to buy ready-made products, stay away from anything that says “poison” or “corrosive.” Instead, look for “plant-based” ingredients and organic on the label with third party certification. Finally, choose washable, reusable cloths over disposable tissue products

Baking soda is often more effective than many commercially-produced cleaners, it’s also non-toxic, environmentally-friendly and inexpensive. There are nearly a million and one uses for the stuff, but here are six good ones to help you around the house.

1. Baking Soda Unclogs Drains
Mix ½ cup with vinegar and cover your drain for 1 hour. Flush down with hot water.

2. Eliminates Odors (like weird pet smells)
For the litter box, add one part baking soda first and then three parts kitty litter; you can eliminate the wet dog/cat smell by sprinkling your pet with baking soda then brushing.

3. Gets Out Stains
Got sweat stains? Make a baking soda and water paste and rub into the spot. Allow to sit for at least an hour to get out tough stains. Wash as usual.

4. Cleans Mildew Stains from Bathroom Tiles
Mix 2 cups baking soda and ½ cup water. Stir until it forms a paste and scrape grout with an old toothbrush.

5. Counter Cleaning
Want squeaky clean counters? Mix 4 Tbsp. baking soda with 2 Tbsp of lemon juice. Wipe with damp cloth. Great for getting rid of smells!

6. Dirty Dishes
For your dirty dishes mix together 1 ½ Tablespoons of Baking Soda with 2 Tablespoons of Borax. Use in place of automatic dishwasher detergent.

So have fun today, take a green step and make a pledge toward a brighter future!



Patricia

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