Richard Freudenberger et al. - The Country Almanac of Housekeeping Techniques That Save You Money

KITCHEN AND PANTRY

The kitchen is the heart of the home. Its the hub of activity, where we cook, dine, socialize, workits where everyone gathers. We want that area to be clean, well organized, and free of contamination and health risks. This chapter contains the basics: toxin-free cleaning, smart space-saving organization, and tips on tools and utensils. Here, youll discover a world of money- (and energy-) saving ideas.

Cost savings

About $25 saved by not having to purchase many cleaning, laundering, and toiletry items

Benefits

Improved indoor air quality

BackHomecontributor Shawn Dell Joyce brings in-depth focus to issues that connect us with our environment. Here, she hits home with a discussion of healthy, cost-effective household cleaner alternatives.

Ever notice how most cleaning products do not have ingredient lists? These common products are not required by law to list whats inside, even though some might contain chemicals that can harm you and the environment. In fact, of the 80,000 chemical compounds currently used in commercial cleaning products, only one-half percent have been tested for cancer-causing ingredients, according to Naturally Clean author Jeffrey Hollender.

We breathe these chemicals while we clean, drink them in polluted water, and absorb them through our skin. (Kind of scary, isnt it?) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that we are exposed to air pollutants two to five times more indoors than outdoors. This is mainly because these pollutants are concentrated when we use them indoors with little ventilation.

To protect yourself and your indoor air quality, phase out household cleaning products containing any of the ingredients listed in Common Household Toxins on page 11.

Before we became so reliant on chemistry, we used to clean our homes with natural cleansers. Try restocking your cleaning cabinet with these natural and nontoxic alternatives:

Pure vegetable or castile soap can replace shampoo, hand soap, and dish detergent.

Vinegar cuts grease and removes mildew, is a brick/stone cleaner, and cleans windows without streaking. Drizzle it on top of a little baking soda to scour a toilet or clean a dirty bathtub.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a gentle abrasive powder for stovetops and shiny surfaces. It will extinguish a grease fire, deodorize your home, and can be used as toothpaste and deodorant.

Borax is a mineral that can inhibit mildew, remove stains, work with soap as a laundry detergent, and be mixed with sugar to kill cockroaches.

Cornstarch makes an excellent window cleaner or furniture polish when diluted with water. In its powder form, use it to shampoo carpets and starch clothes.

Washing soda is a heavy-duty cleaner for burned pans, grills, and ovens.

Here are a few recipes with which to replace common household cleaners with inexpensive nontoxic alternatives.

All-purpose cleaner: Dissolve 4 tablespoons (55 g) of baking soda in 1 quart (946 ml) of warm water.

Spray disinfectant: Fill an empty spray bottle halfway with isopropyl alcohol and fill it up with water.

Drain cleaner: Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda (110 g) down the drain followed by 1/2 cup (120 ml) of vinegar. Do not try this if you have already used a commercial drain opener, because the fumes would be toxic.