Cleaning tips - For Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Homes

A few weeks ago Kage asked me for my favorite cleaning tips . I gave her a few options and she mentioned that many of them were environmentally friendly and suggested that I write a post about it.

I have gathered my information over the years from friends, TV (ie: This Old House), and various websites.

Here is a little list of things that I do (and have done in the past) to make my house/apt use energy more efficiently and keep utilities down:

1. Dusting or wiping down the back of your fridge/freezer.

2. Replacing the filter in your central heating/air conditioning unit 1 or 2 times a year. They are cheep (a few dollars). Not only do they cut costs to run your home it helps lower the amount of dust that is flying around. Wiping down your wall vents also is effective.

3. Don't forget to clean the inside of your stove top (I didn't even know mine opened up until recently) and replace tin foil to ensure the next cleaning to be a snap.

4. You can use newspapers instead of paper towels to clean mirrors and glass. Cuts cleaning cost and garbage levels.

5. If you have a clogged drain (tub or sink), you many not need to use strong chemicals to get it solved- you can use a toilet plunger to clear it out (I did it, it totally works!!)

6. Florescent light bulbs, although expensive to buy initially they will save you money and gas emissions. Money in the long run -obviously because they use less energy and last longer. Gas emissions because it takes truck to move those light bulbs. Not as many bulbs driven around, less emissions.

7. Seal windows, recess lights, fireplaces, gaps around plumbing with caulking, weather strips or expanding foam

8. In the winter, in the day open blinds and curtains to let the sun help warm your home. At night or on cloudy days, close them.

Another way I have cut my cost and number of times I have had to run to the store is to make some of my cleaning supplies. Here are some simple recipes I have used and some I found on line. The supplies are things that most people have in their kitchen.

1. To clean ovens or really burnt pots and pans - just baking soda and water. No scrubbing needed! I try to avoid strong chemicals getting near my food as much as possible. So I love this one. Sprinkle baking soda all over the bottom until it is covered completely with about 1/4 of an inch of baking soda. Next get out your water spray bottle and spray it till it is damp, not flooded. Then go attend to other things, thought the day come back and check to make sure that it stays damp. Spray as needed. Do this through out the day , com back ad check to make sure that it stays damp. Spray as needed. do this for a few hours, maybe even over night depending on how dirty the oven is. When it looks done use a sponge to wipe it all out! Tada!.

2. Toilet bowl cleaner - ¼ c. baking soda into bowl and drizzle with vinegar. Let sit for ½ hour. Scrub and flush.

3. Ceramic tile cleaner: ¼ c. vinegar/1 gal. warm water

4. Garbage Disposal Freshener: grind ice and lemon or orange juice in the disposal.

5. Silver polish: rub on toothpaste, let it dry, then rinse it off.

6. Removing Chewing gum: rub with ice. Gum will flake off.

7. Remove Rust: Saturate with lemon juice and rub with salt. Place in direct sunlight until dry, then wash.

8. Removing Grease: pour boiling water on stains and follow with dry baking soda. Also try ammonia and water.

9. Remove Ink: soak in milk or remove with hydrogen peroxide.


If your interested in learning about making more complicated environmentally friendly recipes, look here.