People had some great questions for me at the
Green Healthy Living Expo on Thursday. Some of the questions I was able to answer on the spot. Others I needed to research. In the spirit of learning from others' questions, I am posting some Qs along with some As.
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| Research! |
How can I remove hard water stains from tiles?
Sprinkle
borax on a damp sponge or cloth and wipe surface.
There were lots of questions about removing mold.
A few months ago I shared a recipe and instructions for using hydrogen peroxide and vinegar to
kill mold and remove the stains it leaves on tiles. One of my favorite websites, Care2.com, explains
3 Ways to Kill Mold Naturally by using tea tree oil, grapeseed extract, or vinegar.
How can I remove blood stains?
Before the blood stain dries, rinse with cold water. (If it's already dried, scrape off what you can before rinsing.) If the stain persists, use
washing soda to pre-treat, pre-soak, and to boost the laundry detergent. If putting the stained item in the wash isn't an option, there are
lots of other ways to remove blood from clothes--and other places blood might end up-- including using salt, peroxide, and enzyme cleaners.
How can I remove scuffs from floors?
Use a green acrylic scrubby sponge and have some patience. I've used this method with success on sealed hardwood floors. (eHow has a few suggestions that are specifically for
removing marks from tile floors.)
What should I use to wash delicates?
It's time for real talk: I don't actually sort my laundry much. I toss all my clothes (skivvies, whites, colors, delicates, stockings, everything) in one load, our towels and bed linens in another load (since there isn't room with my clothes), and my uber dirty cleaning rags and our shower curtain in another. Occasionally something will run onto something else, but for the most part everything works out okay. I usually hang everything up to dry, so I think this reduces shrinkage and wear.
Enough about me. If you are the type of person who takes time to own and care for things that need to be hand washed, more power to you. According to the
Borax website, you can use it along with detergent to hand wash delicate clothing.
Dr. Bronner's
Sal Suds is my laundry detergent of choice, but I also like the
Classic Magic All-One Liquid Soaps. Use 1/3 to 1/4 cup per load.
I had a great conversation about greening personal care with someone too.
Here's a link to two recipes for making your own mouthwash on Care2.com.
Want more green cleaning recipes and ideas?
Check out my tips for building your own green cleaning kit. This juicy blog post has lots of ideas and links to more free online resources.
Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living by Annie B. Bond is a great investment if this kind of information tickles your fancy like it does mine.
