Cleaning Your Kitchen Naturally - Page 2

• cleaning plastics
  Plastic can be cleaned and made antistatic by wiping down with a solution of one tablespoon of distilled vinegar to 2 quarts (2 liters) of water. This should prevent dust from settling as well. 

• Thermos and cooler deoderizer
  3 handfuls salt
  
  Salt has natural deodorizing properties that can work wonders on the stale smells that develop in closed containers like thermoses and coolers. Simply toss a few handfuls of salt into the container and let it sit for 24 hours. Rinse clean, and the smell should be noticeably absent. Better yet, get in the habit of putting a little salt in your containers before storing them. Just make sure to rinse well before using them again. 

• cleaning the garbage can
  Use a fairly strong solution of baking soda and warm water to wash the kitchen garbage can out. It will keep the smell down as well. This is good for all plastic and stainless steel cans. 

• Fruit fly trap
  2 tablespoons (30ml) apple cider vinegar
  1 small piece overripe fruit
  Plastic wrap
  
  If you happen to have a fruit fly infestation thanks to an overripe piece of fruit in the house, here's a surefire formula to get rid of those little gnat-like creatures. Make a trap by placing a small piece of overripe fruit in a bowl with a piece of plastic wrap and poke a dozen small holes in the plastic. The flies, attracted by the irresistible contents inside, will enter through the holes, but won't be able to exit.  

• straw broom life extender
  1 cup (300g) salt
  1 gallon (4 liters) warm water
  
  Here's a tried-and-true way to make a new straw broom last longer. Before first use, dissolve the salt in a bucket of warm water. Let the brrom bristles soak for 20 minutes, then drain and let the broom air-dry. This process will help stiffen the bristles and make the broom much more durable. 

• removing stains from coffee mugs
  Sprinkle a little baking soda into the bottom of the cup and add warm water to make a paste. Let stand for a while before rinsing. 

• cleaning kettles
  If you get lime deposits in your kettle, gently boil 2/3 cups (150ml) of white vinegar with the water, then rinse well. 

• Sink full of bubbles dissolver
  1 handful salt
  
  Once you've finished hand-washing a load of dishes, there's always the sudsy sink to contend with. Instead of wasting more water to rinse the suds down the drain, try sprinkling a handful of salt over all of the bubbles. They'll quickly dissolve, and the salt will actually help fight any grease that remains. Give the sink one last quick rinse and you're done. 

• stovetop fire fighter
  1 cup (220g) baking soda
  
  Keep a box of baking soda in the cabinet nearest the stove in case your pan has a flare-up during cooking. To use, quickly cover the bottom of the pan with a layer of your baking soda (about 1 cup or 220g) and place a lid on top. Do not try to wash out the pan until it is completely cool, and never pour water on a grease fire. 

• Creamy Soft Scrub
  2 cups baking soda
  ½ cup liquid castile soap
  4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin (acts as a preservative)
  5 drops antibacterial essential oil such as lavender, tea tree, rosemary or any scent you prefer (optional)
  
  Mix together and store in a sealed glass jar, shelf life of 2 years.
  
  Tips: For exceptionally tough jobs spray with vinegar first—full strength or diluted, scented—let sit and follow with scrub.
  
  Dry soft scrubs can be made with baking soda or salt (or combination of both) with 10-15 drops essential oil to scent    

• removing hard water stains
  Water stains are another common occurrence if you live in a hard water area. Use baking soda, sprinkled onto the stain, and then wipe clean with vinegar. Remember to watch out for the fizz! 

• sticky mess cleaner
  3 spoonfuls baking soda
  
  Reorganizing the kitchen cupboards can be a gratifying task until you come across a sticky mess stuck to a shelf. Before you haul out the scrub brush and a slew of cleaners, consider sprinkling a few spoonfuls of baking soda in the mess. Owning to the delicate scrubbing power of baking soda, you should be able to get away with just a damp sponge treatment. Make sure to rinse thoroughly with fresh water.    

• sponge/cloth restorer
  If a sponge, washcloth, or dishcloth becomes slimy or smelly, soak overnight in a solution of half vinegar/half water. Rinse in clear water and leave to dry.

• hand cleaner
  Remove cooking smells from hands by rinsing them with vinegar and then wash thoroughly with soap and water.    

• fruit and vegetable shelf-life extender
  1/4 cup (55g) baking soda
  2 paper towels
  
  Humidity is the bane of your refrigerator's crisper drawer. Too much moisture provides an opportunity for microscopic spores on fruits and vegetables to grow more quickly, a problem that can ultimately result in spoiled produce. To help keep conditions in your crisper on the dry side, stack 2 paper towels in the bottom of the drawer and sprinkle 1/4 cup (55g) baking soda in between them. Replace every week or so when you replenish your produce. 

• garbage can deodorizer
  1/4 cup (55g) baking soda
  
  Looking for a way to control garbage odors but dislike the overpowering smell of scented trash bags? Let a dash of baking soda neutralize the bad odors for you. Just get in the habit of pouring 1/4 cup (55g) baking into your kitchen garbage bags before you put them in the pail, and the baking soda will help absorb unpleasant trash odors. 

• window and mirror cleaner
  1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar
  newspaper
  
  Want a streak-free way to clean mirrors and windows? Pour about 1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar into a shallow bowl or pan. Crumple a sheet of newspaper and dip into the vinegar. Wipe the glass several ties with the newspaper until the surface is almost dry. Then shine with a clean, soft cloth or dry newspaper. Wear gloves if you don't want to get newspaper ink on your hands. Tip: If there are streaks left on your window after using this cleaning method, it's most likely due to a waxy residue left from prior use of a commercial cleanser. Add a dab of dish soap to the vinegar to help eliminate this buildup. 

• removing coffee and tea stains
  An equal mixture of salt and white vinegar will clean coffee and tea stains from china cups.  

• refreshing a vacuum flask
  To clean out an old vacuum flask add a teaspoon of baking soda and fill with warm water. Let steep for a while then rinse out with cold water. 

• cleaning the bread crock or bread box
  We have a splendid, French deep bread crock that weighs a ton but keeps bread fresh, as long as the odd piece of organic bread isn't left lurking in the bottom out of sight. In this case, the green mold is very smelly, especially if left for a few days in a nice warm kitchen. Washing out with a solution of baking soda in warm water keeps it mold free and sweet smelling. Let dry thoroughly and cool down before storing bread again.