Clean Green

e-cloths

This is what one of our members had to say about e-cloths.

Open my utility closet and you will find an impressive array of cleaning products all gathering dust. No, I have not let my house go to wrack and ruin, but I am cleaning with e-cloths and water. Yes, just water.

My journey started with a battle with my glass-top tables. I used every product and method, that the internet could provide, to prevent streaking and a haze that would descend over the surface. To no avail. I then started reading about cleaning cloths that just used water and had fantastic results. Some were so mightily expensive, that I was rather deterred, however, while standing in DeClarks one day I noticed the display of e-cloths and entered into conversation with the sales assistant. She is allergic to all cleaning chemicals, consequently the e-cloths range was a wonderful solution for her.

Armed with a 40% off coupon I bought the window cleaning cloth and headed home, fingers crossed. The results were amazing. My nemesis glass tables were streak free, with no effort. Encouraged I moved on to windows, mirrors, ceramics, tiles, pictures and photographs and even my stainless steel appliances. They all sparkled with less effort, less time, no chemicals and no piles of paper towels. I was sold, hook, line and sinker.

I have since bought the bathroom cloth, kitchen cloth, dusters and small floor mop (from Amazon) which is wonderful for our Oakwood wood floors.

e-cloths have been laboratory tested and proven to remove 99% of bacteria, including E-coli and Listeria. After rinsing they only reintroduced 0.01% of bacteria back into a sterile surface. They are very easy to maintain. Just a weekly wash in hot water and detergent with no softener, tumble or hang to dry. They are guaranteed for 300 washes—at least for 6 years. Think of all
the cleaning products in plastic bottles and paper towels you go through in 6 years!

The e-cloths are very available locally. DeClarks, Ace Hardware, DLM, Far Hills are just a few distributors, and of course, the full range is available on Amazon and the e-cloth web site.
-Alison

 

Make Your Own Cleaning Solutions

While some folks buy products that are advertised as ecologically friendly, which are still packaged in plastics, others prefer to make their own. Here are some easy do-it- yourself green cleaning solutions. You can also buy the book DIY Natural, $17 on Amazon, to learn how to make your own natural cleaners (DIYNatural).

Toilet Cleaner

There are several natural ingredients you can use to formulate your own toilet bowl cleaners.

Tea Tree Toilet Bowl Scrub

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of tea tree essential oil

Combine the vinegar and tea tree oil in a spray bottle.
Spray all surfaces and allow to sit for several minutes.
Scrub the inside of the bowl with sprinkled baking soda.
Dry the outside surfaces with a clean dry cloth.

A Heavy Duty Toilet Cleaner for Tough Cleaning

  • 3/4 cup borax
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 10 drops lavender essential oil
  • 5 drops lemon essential oil

Combine all of the ingredients.
Pour entire mixture in the toilet, wetting the inside with a toilet brush.
Leave for several hours or overnight.
Scrub and flush.

General Purpose

All Purpose Cleaner (do not use on granite or marble)

  • 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 2 cups water
  • 20 drops of essential oils (your choice)

Combine in a glass spray bottle.
Gently swirl to mix the ingredients.
Use.

Cleaner for Granite

  • 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1 tablespoon Castile soap
  • 2 cups water
  • 10 drops of essential oils

Combine and swirl in glass spray bottle.
Use.

Chefland Glass Spray Bottles

Laundry

Homemade Laundry Detergent
(For between 32 & 64 loads)

  • 1 bar of shaved bar soap (Dr. Bronner’s, Kirk’s Castile, Ivory, Felt Naptha)
  • 1 cup borax
  • 1 cup washing soda

Thoroughly stir, or put in the blender or food processor.
Store in a sealed container.
1 tbs per small load, 2-3 tbs for a large load.

Softener
Use white vinegar and your favorite essential oil as a softener.
Use 1 gallon of white vinegar to 30-40 drop-off essential oil to make a large batch.

Clothes Drying
Use wool dryer balls (available in Meijer and other stores) in the tumble dryer or when the weather is good, dry outside.

Use a small rotary umbrella washing line which only needs 7 feet to rotate and folds down quickly and easily—like the Moerman Standard 3-Arm Outdoor Umbrella Style Dryer.

Dish Soap

Homemade Dish Soap

  • 1 3/4 cups boiling water
  • 1 tbsp borax
  • 1 tbs grated bar soap (Castile, Ivory)
  • 15-20 drops essential oils

Combine borax and grated soap in a bowl.
Pour boiling water over the mixture and whisk until the soap is melted.
Allow mixture to cool for 6-8 hours stirring occasionally. Dish soap will gel.
Transfer to a squirt bottle, add essential oils and shake well.

Other

Homemade Wood Polish

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp lemon oil or fresh lemon juice

Put into a squirt bottle and shake well to emulsify.
Squirt on a microfiber cloth and rub with the grain.
Remove excess polish with a clean cloth.