Apr 06 2008
Cleaning my Chemical Free Home - Part 3 - The Kitchen
Dr. StrangeRebmann, or how I learned to stop worrying and love cleaning my chemical free home - Part 3
Read part One & part Two
My family and I sure spend a lot of time in our kitchen. I feel lucky to have my own kitchen sitting in the Family & Foundation and Abundance areas of the home. I love to prepare and share good food with my family.
I suggest trying to keep this area free from Clutter when possible, especially because of how much time we spend in the kitchen, and how great it feels when it is clear and clean. As we know, it is a powerful metaphor to have your space clean and clutter free.
I have to be honest and tell you this room is where I use the most commercial products. While I would like to use all homemade cleaners, I have run into difficulty finding ones that work well here. Yet, I do have some good tips.
1. Surface Cleaner – Mrs. Meyers All Purpose Concentrated Cleaner. I bought one of these sometime last year, and I haven’t even gone through a fifth of it. I take one capful of cleaner to 16 oz of water – and I am set for several weeks of cleaning up counters, tables and highchairs.
2. Dishwasher – Ecover Dishwasing Detergent. It works well with my pots and pans cycle. I have to use a little more water, but I think the reduced phosphates is worth it. Also – substitute white vinegar in your rinse aid compartment – works great – no chemicals.
3. Liquid Dish Soap – Mrs. Meyers again. It just works so well and I can clean an entire sink full of dishes with one squirt. I have also had good luck with Seventh Generation Dish Soap – it requires more - but is a bit cheaper.
4. Stainless Steel Appliances – Mrs. Meyers Stainless Steel Cleaner. This is more like a polish, but it works very well. I only have to use it once a month or so – and my stainless steel appliances and compost bucket look great!
5. Floor Cleaner – I use water. Unless it is raw chicken on the floor where I would feel the need to use some disinfectant, I use a damp microfiber mop. It works great!
6. Other cool tricks – Salt and Lemon Juice Paste for rust stains. Combine into pastes – leave on rust overnight – wipe off in morning. No need for CLR at all.
Next week – the rest of the house and laundry!
Tags: Chemical Free, Cleaning, Clutter, Elise Rebmann, kitchen
Elise,
This is wonderful information! As someone who suffers with allergic reactions to pretty much any cleaning product (and all synthetic fragrances), I have tried to go as green as possible and am always listening for tips on the most effective solutions and natural recipes for cleansers. I thank you for such terrific suggestions!!
So glad you found this helpful. I am working on part 4 as I write this.
Please always let me know if you have other tips too as I am also always looking for good ideas!
So happy to help!
Silver-Brass-Copper Cleaner. My jeweler turned me on to this little jewel. I was having trouble cleaning a charm bracelet with lots of nooks and crannies. He suggested this paste. It worked like a charm - no pun intended!
Baking Soda + Water paste is quick and completely non-toxic (I think). I have noticed that the tarnish returns a little sooner than with the commercial cleaners. However, the absence of offensive odors makes it a more attractive alternative to me, anyway.
I love to cook with fresh lemons and at the end of the night I grind the leftover parts in the garbage disposal. I know you would normally put these in the compost, but if you ever want to naturally freshen the disposal, lemons do the trick! Another option is grinding ice cubes made of vinegar to both sharpen the blades and remove odor (the only downside is that your entire freezer will smell like vinegar… you can grind regular ice cubes with the lemons as another option).
I can’t wait to try these wonderful ideas - thanks so much Kathleen & DFS!!
Elise