Post Holiday Green Cleanup Tips

The hubbub of Christmas and New Years Eve are a fading memory.  Throughout the week, I’ve been slowly getting the kitchen back to a state of cleanliness.  The last few years, I’ve changed my cleaning habits towards the greener side.  While I’m no tree hugger, I do love trees!  Seriously though, I think it’s in our best interest to limit one’s exposure to harsh chemicals and use products easier on the environment and the pocketbook.

Glass Stove Top Cleaning
This process uses a towel, soapy warm water, baking soda, and fifteen minutes. The kicker for this green cleaning? No elbow grease! 
Clean the Refrigerator
This is a step by step you can follow to clean out your fridge from holiday stains and leftovers using plain old warm soapy water. 

• Did you know you can use Baby oil or Lemon oil to clean your stainless steel?       

The link goes to a website of a guy who fixes websites – very strange, but this reference it is a great green oven cleaning step by step!  Here’s step 1:

“All Around KnB Cleaner” Recipe
My mom and I have been using this recipe to make an all around cleaner for years.  I store my cleaner in a larger vinegar container, but you can also use a rinsed out gallon milk container.    

• 1/4 c baking soda
• 1 c household ammonia
• 1/2 c white vinegar
• To make it smell nice, you can add a few drops of any essential oil, rose water, or orange water.  I’ve used lemon juice too, but I can’t really detect a smell difference.
• To make it a disinfectant, you can add 1/2 c of hydrogen peroxide
• 1 gallon warm water (Or fill the container to the brim w the warm water)

Fill your container with the baking soda, ammonia, white vinegar, and essential oils (optional is the hydrogen peroxide).  Then fill the remaining space with warm water.  Fill spray bottle and get to cleaning!  I also use this formula to clean my bathroom, the fixtures, the toilet, and a quick spray to the shower walls in the morning.