Mississippi State Department of Health

Green Cleaning: Healthy alternatives for day-to-day cleaning

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You can create safe, clean and effective household cleaners with simple ingredients.

Before using any of these recipes, test them on an inconspicuous area to ensure that the surface you are cleaning will not be damaged.

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Ingredients

Household Cleaning

All-Purpose Cleaner

Air Fresheners

Kitchen

Drain Cleaner

Pour a 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain first, then a 1/2 cup of vinegar. Let it fizz for 15 minutes. Then pour down a tea kettle full of boiling water. Repeat if needed.

Oven Cleaner

Do not use this cleaner on self-cleaning ovens.

Bath and Bedrooms

Tub and Sink Cleaner

Window and Mirror Cleaner

Put a 1/4 cup of vinegar in a 16 oz spray bottle and fill to the top with water. A few drops of detergent may be added for preventing streaks. Spray and wipe surfaces with a sheet of newspaper or lint-free rag.

Disinfectant

Floors and Furniture

Floor Cleaner with Fragrant Herbs

Combine in a pail or bucket: an 1/8 cup liquid soap or detergent, a 1/4 to 1/2 a cup of white distilled vinegar or lemon juice, a 1/2 cup fragrant herbal tea (peppermint is great as it adds antibacterial qualities). Swirl the water around until it is sudsy. Scrub floor with mop or rag.

Scouring Powder

Furniture Polish

Dissolve 1 teaspoon of lemon oil in 1 cup of vegetable oil. Apply with a clean dry rag.

Laundry and Fabric

Laundry Detergent

Spot Cleaner

Dissolve a 1/4 cup of Borax in 2 cups of water. Apply directly to stain and let it dry before sponging away, or use it as a pre-treat before machine washing.

Softening Fabrics (including wool)

Stain Removers

Reprinted with permission from the American Lung Association of Seattle, Washington



Links referenced on this page
Green Cleaning in English    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/44,4900,360,pdf/GreenCleaning.pdf
Green Cleaning in Spanish    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/resources/7241.pdf
Green Cleaning in Vietnamese    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/44,7128,360,pdf/GreenCleaning-Vietnamese.pdf

Resources referenced
Green Cleaning in English    https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/44,4900,360,pdf/GreenCleaning.pdf ok
Green Cleaning in Spanish    https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/resources/7241.pdf ok
Green Cleaning in Vietnamese    https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/44,7128,360,pdf/GreenCleaning-Vietnamese.pdf ok

Find this page at http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/index.cfm

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