Cleaning Bucket

People write whole books on this subject. Ours is short and sweet - the basics really- as cleaning is, well cleaning...

Bare Bones Bucket

Products	Used for:	Used instead of:	Notables
Baking Soda	Slightly abrasive for scrubbing. Deodorizes, kills mildew, mold and bacteria.	Scouring powders and toilet bowl cleaners	When you need some grit. Sprinkle on carpet before vacuuming - see Carpet Shake recipe below. Use as deodorizer in fridge. Found in grocery store baking and cleaning aisle.

Borax	General stain remover, deodorizer, cleaner.	Chlorine Bleach	A naturally occurring mineral salt. Use with vinegar (it will foam) for tougher spots. Found in grocery store laundry aisle. *toxic when swallowed

Lemon juice	Lightens stains and cuts grease. Use on kitchen/bathroom surfaces.	Chlorine Bleach	Combine with vinegar and water to declog drains. Found on lemon trees or in produce section of grocery store.

Vinegar	Disinfects and deodorizes. Use on windows, kitchen and bathroom surfaces.	Window cleaners and all purpose cleaners	Regular distilled vinegar is fine for cleaning. "Green" vinegars are suitable for food preparation. Keep in a spray bottle. Found in grocery store food and cleaning aisles.

Murphy Oil Soap	All purpose cleaner for walls, floors, and most wood.	Chemical all-purpose cleaners	Also use liquid castile soap. Found in grocery store cleaning aisle.

Lemon Oil furniture polish	Cleaning & polishing wood furniture	Commercial lemon oil	Ready made lemon oils often contain petroleum distillates. Lemon oil duster recipe below.

Salt	Mild disinfectant, abrasive for scouring.	Scouring powders	Found in baking aisles.

Scour pads	Scrubbing pots, pans, countertops and yes, even glass top stoves.	SOS-type pads	There are many different types and price points, some with anti-bacterial properties. Be sure to get the no-scratch kind. See Product Review

Micro Fiber Clothes	Everything.	Almost anything!	High tech fiber is woven from very small threads that bond to dust, dirt and grease and are only released when rinsed in hot water. There are different microfiber qualities, so be sure to look at what you're getting. See Product Review

Washing Soda (sodium carbonate)	Cuts grease in the kitchen can also be used as laundry soap.	Kitchen cleaners, laundry soap	Same family as baking soda but much stronger. Found in the laundry aisle.

More Muscle… and Ready Made

Products	Used for:	Used instead of:	Notables
Citra-Solv - Natural Cleaner and Degreaser	Heavy cleaning grease and grime.	Heavy-duty cleaners	Strong clean smell. Available at health food stores and natural pharmacies and some grocery stores with natural product sections. See Product Reviews.

Nature Clean Window Cleaner	Windows & mirrors	Windex-type liquid cleaners	Look for product in other natural cleaning brands. See Product Reviews.

Nature CleanAll Natural All Purpose Cleaning Lotion	Sinks, tub and tiles	Scouring powders	Look for product in other natural cleaning brands. See Product Reviews.

Nature Clean - Natural Liquid Bleach	Bleach substitute	Chlorine Bleach	Look for product in other natural cleaning brands.

TSP (trisodium phosphate)	Used to eliminate built up dirt and grime.		Use with care, it can dull or remove finishes on wood. Found in hardware and grocery stores.

Houseplants	Can reduce the presence of potentially harmful chemicals in your home's air.		Common houseplants to consider: fern, dracaena and philodendron. Trim back a few times a year to release emissions that counteract air toxins.

Carpet Shake Recipe (Patti actually makes this - it's so easy)

· 2 cups baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
· 2 tbsp of any dried herb - lemon verbena (Patti's favourite), peppermint, lovage, lavender.

Chop up the herbs - can use a coffee grinder.
Mix together is bowl.
Sprinkle on carpet - let sit for 15 plus minutes
Vacuum up
Takes odors out of carpet and leaves a fresh scent of chosen herb.

Compliment's of Planet Botanix

Lemon Oil Duster
To replace Lemon Oil wood polish

· 10 drops lemon oil
· 2 tablespoons lemon juice
· A few drops olive oil or jojoba

Dip a soft cloth, such as flannel, in the lemon oil mixture, and wipe furniture.