Going Green Made Easy - Green Tips Roundup

5. Alternatives Household Cleaners and Detergents

For years, many have stuck to the "spray it with toxic chemicals and dry it with paper towels" school of cleaning, mostly because people figured, if we weren't spraying it with cleaning agents, how could it get clean? It's lamentable enough that people reach for cleaners that contain environmentally harmful compounds such as phosphates, but rampant paper towel usage as well? Ouch! Fortunately we, with some help from the internet, have found some potential remedies. As it turns out, there are many earth-friendly cleaning solutions that are safe, effective, and very importantly, cheap. Here are some green approaches to getting your household cleaning done:

• Baking Soda: it's about a buck a box and it's used for deodorizing everything from your fridge to your gym socks. It can also be used to clean porcelain fixtures, and a mix of baking soda, white vinegar, and boiling water will clear your sink drains in no time.
• Fed up with expensive dishwasher detergent? Try using equal parts Borax and Washing Soda (say, 1 tablespoon of each) in your dishwasher dispenser and reap the reward of clean dishes and less money spent on pricey detergents. You guessed it, it's better for the environment too. Do note that the effectiveness of this alternative can vary depending on the hardness of your water.
• We mentioned white vinegar up there, and there's a good reason for it: it's non-toxic, cheap, and it cleans almost everything! One RFD Staffer uses it in his dishwasher instead of Jet Dry -- the same result, for a fraction of the price! Mixed with water, it cleans everything from mirrors and windows to linoleum and wood floors.
• If you’re looking for an alternative to disinfectant products, consider Tea Tree Oil. It's not as common as baking soda and vinegar, but it's an all-natural plant-derived oil that kills mold and mildew and disinfects.
• Salt is great on our French Fries, but it's handy around the house as well. It's a natural abrasive that works well in conjunction with vinegar or lemon juice to polish copper, pewter and brass. It will also remove red wine and grease stains.
• Don’t forget about old clothes, old sheets and old towels, as they make great rags. Since you're reusing them rather them throwing them away, they're free!

If the above solutions aren’t quite enough, there’s always simple conservation. Use less of conventional cleaners when you must use them. Many modern appliances can do more with less. Try only using half of the “suggested” amount of dishwasher detergent for instance; you might be surprised with the results!

When eco-consciousness meets convenience, we're really getting somewhere. We encourage you to try out some of these ideas and send us feedback, or head straight to our Green Forums and start discussing ways to be more eco-friendly with the community.