SUFFIELD GARDEN CLUB--GREEN CLEANING RECIPES

Gentle Window Cleaner

   1/2 cup witch hazel extract
   1/2 cup vinegar
   2 tsp. liquid castile soap
   6 cups warm water
   4 drops essential oil of choice(optional)

Mix all the ingredients together in a large plastic jug and shake well. Pour some into a plastic spray bottle. Shake well prior to each use and store in a cool dark place. Shelf life 4-6 months


All Purpose Cleaner

Pour 3 T. vinegar, 1 t. Borax and 2 Cups hot water into a spray bottle. Shake until dissolved. Then add 1 t. liquid soap(or dish washing liquid) to the bottle and shake it again. Sray on surface and then wipe clean. For tough dirt, leave cleaner on for a few minutes and then wipe off.


Wood Furniture Cleaner

   1/4 cup food-grade linseed(fluxed) oil
   1/4 cup vinegar
   a few drops of lemon oil and/or vitamin E

Put the ingredients in a small glass jar and shake well. Using a soft 100% cotton cloth, wipe the mixture on the furniture until you have achieved the polish you want.


Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Squirt vinegar from squeeze bottle under the rim. Pour about 1/2 cup borax into the toilet and use a toilet brush to clean the bowl. For mineral deposits, leave mixture in toilet for at least an hour. Then use the brush again to clean.

*References to resources on back side are provided for informational purposes only and are not meant to be endorsements.

RESOURCES FOR GREEN CLEANING

Clean & Green by Annie Berthold-Bond - The complete guide to non-toxic and environmentally safe housekeepers
Herbal Homekeeping by Sandy Maine - Simple recipes for a naturally clean abode

Clean & Green Products

   Big Y -  Sun and Earth
        Arm& Hammer super washing soda
        Seventh Generation
        Bon Ami cleaning powder/cake
        20 Mule Team Borax
        Image Greening the Cleaning

   Highland Park Market  - Seventh Generation
        20 Mule Team Borax        
        Brushes
       
   Stop & Shop - Sun & Earth
        20 Mule Team Borax
       
   Shaws - Seventh Generation
       biokleen
       20 Mule Team Borax
       Earth Friendly  Products

   CVS -  Witch Hazel
       
Suffield Hardware - All manner of tools ie scrub brushes, bottles, buckets, cloths, scrub pads,  spray bottles    
            
Granby Village Health -  Barleanšs Organic Oils - Essential Oils
       Seventh Generation
       Citra-Solv
       Bio-Pac
        
   General Nutrition Center -  Fluxed Linseed Oil-Flax Seed Oil
       Castile Soap

Manufacturers of less-toxic, commonly available cleaning products:
   Seventh Generation--http://www.seventhgeneration.com/    
   Dr. Bronners--http://www.drbronner.com/
   Earth Friendly--http://www.ecos.com

Shop for products that disclose ingredients and look for products that are:
   Plant or bio-based instead of petroleum based
   Biodegradable
   Neutral ph
   Packaged in pump-spray containers rather than aerosol
   Packaged in recyclable container
   

Online Resources: