D has finally done what he's been joking about doing since we met 6 years ago. He's turned me (well, at least halfway turned me) into a hippie. It all started off with raw-feeding for the dogs, and has since continued on to green cleaners, rain barrels and compost bins (more to come on those topics later). Now, I certainly wouldn't say we're anywhere near to the extremes some people go to, but we've definitely jumped on the "green" bandwagon. After all, every little bit helps.
Here are some super cheap "recipes" to make and eco-friendly (MUCH better for use around kids or pets, not to mention for yourself)! Probably the one that is the most time consuming to make is the detergent, but even that isn't hard! Label your bottles well so that they don't get mixed up!
-Anything saying Vinegar is for WHITE DISTILLED (can be found anywhere in big jugs)
-Borax can be found at any store in the Laundry aisle -- it's in a cardboard box called "20 Mule Borax"
-Dr. Bronner's can be found at Whole Foods, vitamin stores, I've heard it's at Target in the beauty section, or ordered directly from their site (it's a vegetable-based soap, rather than a fat-based soap, so it doesn't leave residue behind)
-Arm & Hammer WASHING SODA can be found at Ace Hardware or ordered online -- MUST BE WASHING SOAP -- cannot just use baking soda or Arm & Hammer Detergent (has to be 100% sodium carbonate to work as it should). I did actually find some at Publix the other day, next to the Borax -- it'll be nice to not have to order it in the future.
**All-Purpose Cleaner (like 409)**
1 part Water (use warm water when first mixing, mixes the soap better)
1 part Vinegar
1 Tbsp Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap
Pour Water and Dr. B's in a spray bottle, shake well. Add Vinegar (use half & half with the Vinegar and Water).
**Glass/Mirrors/Tile/Toilet**
Vinegar + a few drops Dr. B's in a spray bottle.
-For glass and mirrors, wipe using newspaper, and follow up with a Vodka wash for extra shine
-For Toilets, first sprinkle the toilets with Baking Soda, then spray on Vinegar Mix (should start bubbling and sizzling), then scrub.
**Sinks**
Hydrogen peroxide. Spray in sinks, once it stops bubbling, just wipe down.
**Dishwasher Detergent**
3 parts baking soda
1 part Borax
4 small packets UNSWEETENED Lemon-flavored Kool-Aid
Mix and store in a jar. If you have hard water, the citrus in the Lemon Kool-Aid cuts through that scum that is left behind.
**Dishwasher Cleaner**
Pour 1c Vinegar in the bottom of dishwasher and run on empty.
**Scouring (Comet or Ajax)**
1/4 c Baking Soda
1 Tbsp Liquid Detergent
2 drops Dr. B's
Store these in a container. When ready to use, add small amounts of vinegar to make a thick but creamy texture (good for tubs).
**Drains (Drain-O)**
1 c Baking Soda
1 c hot Vinegar
Pour B-Soda down sink first, pour vinegar down after. Let sit 5 mins, then pour HOT water down drain.
**Microwave Cleaner**
1/2 c Vinegar
1/2c Water
Put in microwave-safe dish and microwave until boiling. Then just wipe down the inside of the microwave -- gunk comes right off.
**Laundry Detergent (Liquid)**
4c hot water
1 Dr. B's soap BAR
1c WASHING soda
1/2c Borax
5gallon bucket (Home Depot)
Essential Oils
Grate whole soap bar and add to saucepan w/4c water. Stir continually over heat until soap is melted. Fill bucket halfway full with hot water. Add melted soap, Washing Soda, and Borax. Stir well to dissolve powder. Fill bucket to the top with more hot water. Stir, Cover, let sit overnight. Next day, stir again. Pour into a bottle (ex. a clean empty old detergent bottle) halfway. Fill the rest of the bottle with hot water. Add 10-15 drops essential oil for ever 2 gallons of detergent once it is in smaller bottle. Shake well before each use (detergent will gel up). Use 5/8 c per load for a top loader (~180 loads), 1/4 c for a front loader (~640 loads). Makes about 10 gallons detergent total -- can half recipe.
**We also use Borax instead of bleach when washing whites (works GREAT) and Vinegar as a fabric softener -- it's safe to use on towels (won't strip them of drying capabilities) and doesn't leave any residue behind. Just pour the vinegar in the fabric softener cup before washing or add to the rinse cycle.** Oh, and I LOVE this website:
http://www.vinegartips.com/Scripts/
2.) Fill it up about 1/4 full with either newspaper scraps or leaves (we have a lot of both, so I did about half & half.)
3.) Pile dirt on top of that to about 1/2 full.
Slapped a carbon filter in the lid to keep the stink to a minimum...
And now whenever something goes bad or we have scraps, we can just throw them in here until it gets full and we take it out to the real heap.
5.) Attach the lid and drill 8-10 holes in that as well.
6.) Lug the bin somewhere out of the way, preferably out of direct sunlight, as too much heat will dry the compost out. I put it next to all the other trash & recycling things so we can take everything out to the same place at the same time.
