My latest favoritist book....Green Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck

A few months back I came across the book, Green Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck at my local library. I picked it up, checked it out and brought it home and skimmed through it. It is an easy and quick read full of practical, sensible information.

I don't know about you but I cannot walk down the detergent/cleaning supply aisle in any store without getting a headache or nauseous or both between the perfumes and chemicals.

The good news for me and you is that this book is full of practical, simple, back to basics, more bang for your buck, non-toxic, thorough cleaning information.

For instance on page 151 she talks about how most commercial glass cleaners contain waxes which leave a residue after cleaning.

From my own experience I get so frustrated cleaning windows and mirrors, they always seem to streak, I've tried vinegar and newspapers you name it. I've tried it. However what I didn't know until reading this book is that first you have to remove the waxy residue first, then you can clean with plain vinegar, otherwise you keep smearing the waxy coating, duh!

From the book:
To remove the waxy residue: pour two cups water and a half cup distilled white vinegar into a spray bottle. Add a half teaspoon dish liquid. Spray on the glass surface, wait half a minute, then polish the glass dry with a clean rag. After the waxy buildup has been removed, the glass can be cleaned with plain white vinegar.

And it works...I've done it. and my windows and mirrors are now clean and clear!!

I confess it's been way too long since I've cleaned my shower, so this morning armed with a spray bottle of white vinegar, a box of borax and a scrub brush I went to it (following the information found on page 150 in the section "Removing Soap Scum"). With a little scrubbing after spraying vinegar and dusting borax around the shower and glass doors were sparkling within minutes.

I've had my box of borax for awhile so I don't remember how much it costs probably less than $4 and a gallon of white vinegar is pretty cheap so no need for expensive tile, shower, mold & mildew cleaners.

I'm all for saving money, the environment and energy when it comes to house cleaning so I'm going back to the basics using this book as a guide to rethinking what I use to clean and how I do it. And I'll pick up some additional shelf space with not as many other cleaning products sitting on the shelf.

Stay tuned for me unusual yet practical advice.....

Jill