Green is clean

a quick guide to cleaning chemical-free

I'm a bit of a hippie. I've said it before and I'll say it again, you don't NEED chemicals in your life. There are always options to go a cleaner, more efficient, planet-friendlier route.

I use white vinegar and baking soda for pretty much everything.

Anytime you need to scrub something, use baking soda. It's great for greasy pots & pans, shower walls, tubs, faucets, sinks. Put some in the toilet bowl and let it sit for 30-60 minutes and then scrub.

Vinegar is great for all surfaces: windows, mirrors (streak-free, I promise), tables, counters (as long as they're not marble), the sides and back of the toilet. Even dusting: I dampen a rag with vinegar (a couple sprays on a dry towel), and use it on any surface.

If you don't like the smell of the vinegar (it won't hurt you, but it's a bit strong when you're cleaning a shoer stall), add a couple drops of essential oil (lemon is best), or just drop in a couple lemon rinds.

The best part? Vinegar and baking soda are a LOT cheaper than those chemicals you've been using.

Stinky drain? Drop in about 1/2 to 1 full cup of baking soda and let sit for 5 min. Pour in some vinegar and let it bubble. Run the garbage disposal at the same time to give it a good cleanse. You can also drop 1/2 lemon into the garbage disposal. If it doesn't chew up the whole thing, just fish it out carefully and throw away.

Oven stains? Smear on a paste of baking soda and let sit for 30-60 minutes, scrub as necessary to clean.

Then, of course, there's all the personal hygiene ways to use those two items. Baking soda can be used to brush your teeth, as a face scrub or even a shampoo. I don't recommend using it daily as a shampoo, but monthly, as a deep cleanser, it's great. Just make sure to rinse with diluted vinegar (apple cider works better than white here) to bring your skin and scalp back into the proper pH balance.