Solution to dust...or just a big help

As I was dusting the other day I was shocked that my shelves (that are up high) had little to no dust on them.  I knew it had been awhile since I had dusted -- our glass t.v. stand was in desperate need of a good dusting.  It dawned on me that the last time I dusted my shelves I used a little dusting solution.  If it can help me have to dust less in this desert air then I am a firm believer.

1 Tablespoon White Distilled Vinegar

1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Mix it up and use a cleaning cloth to wipe down wood furniture.  As with all cleaning solutions test first.

Dishwasher Detergent

Did you know that commercial dishwasher detergent lets off low levels of chlorine fumes when mixed with water?  The levels are considered "safe"- but I prefer to keep chlorine fumes out of my home as much as possible.  With how much I have to run my dishwasher I will start there.

If I do buy dishwasher detergent I get one that doesn't have phosphates.  My choice lately has been Seventh Generations Automatic Dishwasher Gel.

Or better yet- make your own-

Approximately 2 Tablespoons of Borax and 2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda will do a load.

We have pretty lousy water here and a not so top of the line dishwasher so I have found that the homemade solution works a lot better when I have done a good rinsing of the dishes before I put them in the dishwasher.

You can also add some vinegar to the floor of your dishwasher with any load to help reduce spots and such.  You know kind of like that Jet Dry stuff.

Clean the air

Simmer 1/4 cup of vinegar in a pot of water, uncovered, to clear the air of lingering cooking odors.  Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to the water for an extra special air cleaner.  I have also used a drop or two of essential oils. 

This makes for an amazing air cleaner and one that you can adjust to personal preference.

The cleaning basics

In my books (Super Baby Food and The Vinegar Book) they give specific ratios of what to use for certain cleaning surfaces.  When I started making my own cleaner I had a few different bottles for all the different things and it was kind of a pain.  I shortly came to the conclusion that a basic 1:1 ratio would work just fine in my house.  So that is simply what I do.  Fill my spray bottle half way with water and top it off with white distilled vinegar.  If my kitchen counter, bathroom counters, or tubs need a little extra scrub I simply sprinkle borax or baking soda on them and then spray my cleaning solution and scrub away.  I have even used the same cleaning solution to clean my couch.  I haven't yet had any problems but do be mindful that you should not use vinegar on granite.

How I clean

I was tired of the strong chemical smell of cleaning products- I was tired of using brands that I thought were safer only to find out they weren't- I was just plain fed up with my cleaning rituals.  Until one day I sat down with a marvelous book that my mom had given me years before.  That's when it began-- with this book and this book hand in hand I transformed my cleaning to a more natural, safe, and cheap experience.

The main ingredients I use for cleaning are:
White distilled vinegar
Baking Soda
Borax
and good 'ole water

I do have to say that it takes some getting used to the smell of vinegar.  I have become accustomed to it. However, my husband is fed up with it so I now keep a bottle of Seventh Generation, Fragrance Free, All Purpose Cleaner on hand for those ever so few moments that he gets the desire to clean.

So why vinegar?  Vinegar is an antibiotic.  Meaning it kills those pesky germs in a much safer way then Lysol or bleach.  It is natural and safe- you can drink it for goodness sakes!

Why baking soda?  Once again it is natural and mixed with vinegar can create an awesome foam germ killing action with a little extra scrubbing factor and you can ingest it too!

Why Borax?  You probably guessed it- yes it is natural.  It is a mineral that occurs naturally and is safe for the environment.  However, you do need to be a little more cautious while using this around babies.  Sometimes you do need something a little stronger to get parts of your home clean. It also serves as an antibiotic and deodorant.