Quick and Inexpensive Gift for your Green Friends and Family

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— In Budget101_@yahoogroups.com, “mom2jc” wrote:

>

>

> Just thought I’d share…

>

> My SIL asked for some environmentally safe cleaners for Christmas.

> They cost about $15 for a 16 oz bottle plus shipping! Yikes!

>

> Instead, I purchased her the book Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen

> Logan. The book includes all kinds of safe, effective and cheap

> recipes for cleaning along with a comparison with what store-bought

> product they’d replace (e.g. Spray-N-Wash with the homemade). Most

of

> the recipes include vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, and liquid

> soap.

>

> I then purchased one of those large cleaning carry caddies and

various

> sized spray bottles, mostly 32-oz. I labeled each bottle with a

> homemade version and ingredients included, mixed up the cleaners,

and

> filled the bottles. Two different essential oils (peppermint and

tea

> tree) were included along with sponges and dusting wipes from the

> dollar store. All in all, I provided 6 different cleaners and the

> tools to replenish her supply.

>

> I probably spent about $50 overall, but you could scale this down to

> keep within your budget. The book costs around $10. You can get

> spray bottles at the dollar store. Baking soda and vinegar are

> inexpensive. Mix up one cleaner and include it with the book and

some

> sponges in a gift basket and you’ll make your green friends and

family

> happy for less than $15!

>

> Heidi

>

All-Purpose Cleaner recipe

Water

Ivory Liquid dish soap

Fill a 32 ounce spray bottle nearly full with water. Add a squirt or

two of Ivory Liquid Dish soap. Put the sprayer back on and gently

shake the bottle until the soap has been evenly distributed.

Use Ivory because most other dish soaps leave behind a filmy residue.

Ivory is especially safe for Corion, marble and wood counter tops and

butcher blocks. It’s also safe to use on brass or gold plated faucets.

All-Purpose Quick Shine recipe

1 1/4 cups white vinegar

1 1/4 cups water

1 spray bottle

Pour vinegar and water into the spray bottle. Shake gently to combine.

To use, spray on and wipe off. This is mild and safe to use for all

surfaces.

Anti-Static Spray recipe

1/4 cup commercial liquid fabric softener

1/4 cup ammonia

2 cups water

Mix ingredients and store in a spray bottle. Spray liberally on the

rug, your shoes, chair, desktop, or file cabinet, but do not spray

directly onto your computer system.

Battery Terminal Acid Buildup Cleaner recipe

1/4 cup baking soda

A little water

Mix, then apply to the battery terminals. Let stand for a few

minutes, then wipe the encrustation away.

Bathtub Cleaner (for badly stained tub) recipe

Peroxide

Cream of tartar

Make a paste of peroxide and cream of tartar. Scrub vigorously with a

small brush. Rinse thoroughly. If the stains persist, spread the

mixture over the stains and apply a drop or two of household ammonia.

Allow to set for two hours before scrubbing.

Bleach (hydrogen peroxide) recipe

This is very gentle. It is good for even washable white silk.

1 part hydrogen peroxide

8 parts water

Mix in a dishpan or sink a sufficient amount to cover the garment to

be bleached. Immerse garment for 5 to 30 minutes to remove stains or

lighten garment. Rinse garment in clear water and discard bleach mix.

Blue Window Cleaner recipe

3 tablespoons ammonia

3/4 cup water

1 tablespoon white vinegar

2 drops blue food coloring

Put into a clean spray bottle.

Christmas Snow recipe

1/3 cup liquid starch

1 cup soap flakes or detergent granules

1 to 2 tablespoons water

Blue food coloring

Mix liquid starch into the soap flakes. Add the water and beat with a

rotary beater until the mixture has the consistency of marshmallow

fluff or thick meringue.

Beat in the blue food coloring drop by drop to achieve a white, icy

effect. Using a clean paintbrush, dab the snow onto the tops of your

green branches in various artistic patterns.

You can also sprinkle sequins, glitter or confetti over the Christmas

Snow.

CAUTION: Make certain that children realize the snow is made of soap

and should not be handled or played with.

Clogged Drain Remedy recipe

1 cup salt

1 cup baking soda

1 cup vinegar

Mix, then pour down the drain. Follow with 2 quarts boiling water.

Colored Flame Fire Logs recipe

CAUTION: DO OUTSIDE! DO NOT MIX CHEMICALS TOGETHER! USE SEPARATELY!

KEEP LOGS OUT OF REACH OF PETS AND CHILDREN!

Paint logs with shellac. While still wet, sprinkle generously with:

Copper nitrate (for a green flame)

Table salt (for a yellow flame)

Potassium chloride (for a violet or blue flame)

Shake off excess chemicals and let logs dry before using.

Dishwasher Soap recipe

Dishwasher soap is easy to make and cost effective.

1 part borax

1 part baking soda

Mix thoroughly, and store in an airtight container.

To use: Add 2 tablespoons per load. Increase proportion of soda for

hard water. Use vinegar in the rinse cycle.

Driveway Cleaner recipe

Paint thinner

Cat litter

Pour paint thinner from the can onto driveway spots. Saturate the

spots and an area about 12 inches beyond them. Spread a thick layer

of NEW cat litter over the entire treated area so that none of the

driveway surface is visible. Let the cat litter stand about one hour

to absorb the greasy stains. Use a stiff-bristle push broom to sweep

up the soiled cat litter. You may need to repeat the process.

Septic Tank Treatment recipe

This is an effective cleaner for your septic tank, and it will not

harm the system.

2 cups brown sugar

5 cups warm water

1 tablespoon baker’s yeast

Stir sugar and yeast into the warm water until dissolved. Pour the

solution into the toilet and flush. Wait 30 minutes before flushing

again to allow the yeast time to work.

Spackle recipe

Baking soda

“Elmer’s” Glue

Mix to the proper consistency.

Windshield Wiper Spray recipe

Water

1/4 cup vinegar

Put vinegar in dispenser first, then fill with water.

I hope this helps you out.

Kelly in IL

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