Frugal Friday

This week, let’s focus on some great cleaning tips that are also great for the environment.

Chemicals used for cleaning your home are typically very toxic. Eliminating these toxins from your home will make your indoor environment a healthier place, and you may even notice that you feel better as well.

• Clean toilets with a mixture of a half cup of borax and one cup of fresh lemon juice. Your toilets will sparkle and your bathroom will have a clean, lemon scent.
• Pour vinegar over pet stains on your carpet. Blot with a clean towel until your carpet is clean. Don’t worry, the vinegar smell evaporates quickly.
• Clean mirrors and windows with a half-and-half mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. If you have been using a commercial glass cleaner, try adding a couple of drops of dish soap to this mixture to remove any waxy buildup. Wipe glass clean with newspaper instead of paper towels.
• Got a clogged drain? Boil some vinegar and pour down the drain to dissolve the clog.
• Add a half cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle of your washer to act as a bleach for white clothes.
• Add a quarter cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle for a fabric softener. Try putting it in a fabric softener ball with a few drops of your favorite essential oil.