Zukowski - Salt, lemons, vinegar, and baking soda : hundreds of earth-friendly houshold projects, solutions, and formulas

HUNDREDS OF EARTH-FRIENDLY HOUSEHOLD
PROJECTS, SOLUTIONS, AND FORMULAS

Shea Zukowski

METRO BOOKS and the distinctive Metro Books logo are trademarks of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

2009 Quirk Packaging, renewed 2012 by powerHouse Packaging & Supply, Inc.

Illustrations: cover (top row, left), page 12, and 23 2009 iStockphoto LP/Milorad Zaric; cover (top row, center left), page 13, and 67 2009 iStockphoto LP/Marguerite Voisey; cover (top row, center right), page 14, and 111 2009 iStockphoto LP/Jennifer Borton; cover (top row, right), page 15, and 155 iStockphoto LP/Nicole K Cioe; cover (bottom row) iStockphoto LP

A powerHouse Packaging & Supply book

This 2009 edition published by Metro Books by arrangement with Quirk Packaging, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.

Design by Lynne Yeamans and Nancy Leonard

ISBN: 978-1-4351-1697-9

eBook ISBN: 978-1-4351-4095-0

For information about custom editions, special sales, and premium and corporate purchases, please contact Sterling Special Sales at 800-805-5489 or specialsales@sterlingpublishing.com.

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www.sterlingpublishing.com

Though we endorse a green lifestyle, the publisher, packager, and author disclaim any liability from any harm, loss, or injury that may result from the use, proper or improper, of the information contained in this book. We advise that common sense dictate any use of the formulas and do not claim that the information contained herein is complete or accurate for your situation.

Unlike the hundreds of formulas youll find in this book, each requiring only a few simple ingredients to work their magic, putting them together into a book is a far more complex endeavor that requires the talents of many. To that end, Id like to extend my utmost thanks to Erica Heisman and Peter Norton at Barnes and Noble, Inc., for helping make the world a little greener by recognizing the need for a book like this.

Likewise, I am grateful for the pleasure of collaborating with the brilliant team at Quirk Packaging, including Sharyn Rosart for her enthusiastic vision of how this project should take shape; my editor, Erin Canning, for her great ideas and keen attention to detail; Lynne Yeamans and Nancy Leonard, whose inspired design skills were delightful at every turn; and Deri Reed, whose copyediting talents once again saved the day.

Finally, my most heartfelt appreciation goes to my family, Stan, Isaiah and Eli, whom I can always count on to share a few messes that need a little cleaning, and plenty of laughter along the way.

Contents

These days there are hundreds of products on the market claiming to be greena natural response to consumer demand for more earth-friendly options and for a cleaner, less toxic home environment. But you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that going green doesnt have to mean spending a lot of money. You most likely already have four natural, everyday items in your home that can accomplish hundreds of household tasks. So forego buying a dozen different products and stock up on the Fab Four!

Meet The Fab Four: Salt, Lemons, Vinegar, and Baking Soda. The Fab Four are the all-you-need all-stars for kitchen, laundry, personal, household, outdoor, and pet care tasks. Each one is inexpensive and earth-friendly, and provides a wealth of uses, whether on its own or in combination with another Fab Four ingredient or other basic product. A brief introduction to each of these brilliant, versatile substances follows; turn to the individual chapters for a more detailed look.

SALT

When most of us think of salt, our thoughts naturally turn to food. After all, saltiness is one of the five basic tastes (the other four are sweetness, bitterness, sourness, and umami). And for thousands of years people have relied on salt for survival, as it offers a highly effective means of preserving food. In fact, its value was once so precious and its availability in some regions so scarce that it was actively traded in many early societies and even considered currency; in some cultures salt was traded for gold. NOTE: For the purposes of this book, use table salt unless a formula directs otherwise.

LEMONS

Compared to salt there are fewer types of lemons to think about (most lemons sold today are generally the same), but the list of ways to use this amazing fruit is just as long. Lemons have mild bleaching properties that make them ideal for stain removal on clothing and fabrics. Used in combination with salt or baking soda, they offer a cleaning boost that rivals commercial products. Plus, lemons can be used as part of a lowcost beauty regime to lighten hair or age spots. And best of all, lemons impart a signature scent thats fresh and invigoratingand all natural!

VINEGAR

Vinegar is truly amazing because its applications are just as varied as its sources. Basically, any food containing sugar or starch that can be converted into alcohol can be made into vinegar. As a cleaning agent, vinegar possesses germ-fighting abilities and will leave practically every surface in the kitchen and bath sanitized and streak-free; as a laundry aid, it is legendary for its power to soften fabrics and remove stains; and outdoors, vinegar can be a gardeners best friend. NOTE: For the purposes of this book, use distilled white vinegar unless a formula directs otherwise.

BAKING SODA

Baking soda is not just for sitting in the refrigerator; this is a little box with a whole lot of uses around the house. In the laundry room it boosts the effectiveness of regular detergent and can help lift stains before theyve set. Baking soda also has an amazing ability to absorb unpleasant odors wherever they crop up (closets, well-worn shoes, old books, garbage pails, and even a wet dog). And because baking soda is mildly alkaline, it provides a safe and handy way to stop a grease fire or neutralize battery acid. Now thats versatility!