Green cleaning essentials:

Essential kit:
Buckets, 1 2, of 7 to 14 L Spray bottles 2 x 500-ml Broom, plus a Mop and Bucket it can fit into

Brushes: an old Tooth brush, and Scrubbing brushes, x 2, with different lengths and toughness of bristles Sponges, 3-4, best if one side is for scrubbing and the other is soft. Another useful type has a scrubbing surface on one side of the sponge, and a smooth microfibre cloth on the other side. You can now get pure cellulose sponges, and coconut coir scrubbers. Microfibre cloths microfibre effectively removes dirt, grease and dust without chemicals, can be rinsed quickly or machine washed, and quality cloths can last for several years. (They are made from petrochemicals) Pantyhose/stockings fine weave is great for cleaning surfaces, e.g. for benchtops use one damp pair, quickly follow with dry pair. Salt 1 kg. A disinfectant, abrasive, mould killer, rust remover, deterrent to cockroaches. Bicarb Soda 500g for cleaning, whitening & deodorising almost anything. Mix with water: Paste for major stains/grease, Dilute for general cleaning, 1 tb to 1 L for stainless steel. Do not use on Aluminium. Use direct from the box, or place into a shaker (e.g. re-use a sugar / spice jar) Also called Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3), reacts as a base/alkali, increases pH. (The 'bi' in Bicarbonate is a strange and archaic suffix, and does not mean 'two' of anything). Washing Soda 500g Laundry cleaner (oil, grease), de-scaling agent, and water softener (due to competing with Mg and Ca ions). Also called Sodium carbonate or Soda ash (Na2CO3), reacts as a base/alkali, increases pH. Washing soda is caustic, with an alkaline pH of 11. It does not release any fumes, but wear gloves to protect sensitive skin. Note: Sodium percarbonate is an oxidising agent used for sanitising & whitening, common in enviro-l aundry powders, as it releases free oxygen. It is a 'perhydrate' made by combining sodium carbonate with hydrogen peroxide: [Na2CO3]2 [H2O2]3 Dissolved in water, it reverts to sodium carbonate & hydrogen peroxide. The Hydrogen peroxide decomposes to water & oxygen, which is the actual bleaching agent (in contrast to toxic chlorine bleaches). See wikipedia Vinegar 1 L For cleaning & disinfecting surfaces Vinegar smell disappears when it dries. Vinegar is a weak solution of acetic acid, a natural organic acid. Be careful using anything acidic on stoneware, marble or sealed surfaces. Use cider vinegar for cleaning hard surfaces, unless they are colour sensitive. Use white vinegar to clean soft surfaces, and any hard surfaces that are light-coloured. Dishes: use a dilute rinse of white vinegar to remove greasiness from plastic containers, and to make glasses sparkle. Laundry: add cup white vinegar to rinse water to remove soap residues and soften fibres, e.g. when washing towels. Hair: Use apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse in place of conditioner. Algae on walls, paths etc.: use 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water, mix, and spray. This kills the algae and algal spores. Lemons for cleaning, deodorising & disinfecting. Use straight juice to remove hard water deposits or soap scum. Use cut lemons to remove tarnish from metals. Use diluted juice to clean glass, and highly diluted juice to soak stains and whiten laundry. Bran 1 kg unprocessed wheat bran, for cleaning upholstery, curtains and other textiles. Essential oils: Lavender oil 20 ml Antiseptic, mix with dishwashing liquid or castile soap as a general cleaner Lemon oil 20 ml A very strong anti-bacterial and deodoriser Tea Tree oil 20 ml Antiseptic & anti-fungal, for cuts, cold sores, acne, tinia. From native paperbark, Malaleuca alternifolia Eucalyptus oil 100 ml. Add drops to hot water to clean surfaces, disinfect, prevent mould, deter insects. Use directly to remove sticky substances. Do not use on painted surfaces, except to remove paint! Laundry sanitise, and kill dust mites by adding 1 tsp to wash cycle, for linens, clothes, pillows. Oil of Cloves 10 ml. Anti-mould, dilute 1 to 100, tsp to 1 Litre water, or a few drops in a laundry rinse or small container. Castile Soap liquid soap made from olive oil, for washing skin, clothes, floors and other surfaces. Soaps and detergents are 'surfactants', meaning they mix with both water & fats, so can break up dirt/grease and lift it off a surface and into the water. Teabags used teabags or leaves contain tannins, and are very useful for cleaning timber and aluminium, and for killing dust mites. Sunshine simply placing items in direct sunlight is a powerful way to deodorise, sanitise and whiten almost anything.

Optional items:
Vegetable Glycerine for removing stains, as it dissolves in water and in alcohol. Also helps cleaning solutions keep for longer. Sweet Almond oil 15 ml. To clean plastics, bakelite, ivory or bone. Available at Chemists or supermarket. Talcum powder superfine abrasive and lubricant, and highly absorbent. Methylated spirits for cleaning glass and polycarbonate, and removing tannin buildup on metals (e.g. tea strainers). Made from simple alcohols, methanol and ethanol. Dry cleaning fluid, also called White spirits, or Murlex for removing stains from fabric. (made from paraffin)

Information resources:
Ingredients glossary: www.projectgreenclean.info/glossary.html WomensVoices.org www.ecofriendlycleaning.org greenercleaner.blogspot.com

Spotless, Spotless 2 books by Shannon Lush & Jennifer Fleming, ABC Books. shannonlush.com Safer Solutions cleaning and garden ideas www.safersolutions.org.au Grist article on problems & solutions in cleaners: http://www.grist.org/article/possessions-cleaning Independent information on products & companies: www.ethical.org.au www.ethiscore.org ___________________________________________________________________________________

Cleaning Methods:
Surfaces to clean & disinfect: For mould see clove oil method, below. Vinegar only Mix with water (for stains, use 1:1, for general cleaning, mix 1/2 cup Vinegar in 4L water). Wipe on with a clean cloth. The vinegar smell disappears as it dries! Vinegar & Bicarb methods: Method 1 Liquid cleaner: 1 cup water, cup vinegar, 1 Tablespoon bicarb. For dilute solution (e.g. for walls), use 4 L water. Method 2 Cover surface with bicarb either sprinkle, or make a paste with water and spread on. Then clean with a vinegarsoaked cloth/sponge, scrubbing if needed. The vinegar acid and bicarb alkali will fizz, releasing CO2 this helps the cleaners to penetrate dirt and get into all of the surfaces. Method 3 soak one sponge in bicarb solution, place on the surface, then place a vinegar-soaked sponge on top, and press down to clean the surface. Great for microwaves (remember to leave open to air for 30 min afterwards) Dishwashing liquid cup soap flakes or Castile liquid soap, 2 cups hot water, cup glycerine, teaspoon lemon essential oil. In a bowl, combine soap and water and stir until the soap is dissolved. Cool to luke warm. Stir in the glycerine and essential oil, leave to cool. As it cools it will form a loose gel. Liquify by stirring with a fork, then pour into a narrow-necked bottle, e.g. a shampoo bottle. Source: projectgreenclean.info/giy-recipes.html Cream Scrub for benches, stoves, sinks, ceramics Mix together and store in a glass jar: (keeps for 2 years) 2 cups baking soda, cup liquid castille soap, 4 teaspoons vegetable glycerine (acts as a preservative), 5 drops antibacterial essential oil such as lavender, tea tree, rosemary or any scent you prefer (optional) For tough grime, first spray with vinegar, then use this scrub mix. (Source: womensvoices.org) Stainless Steel clean with a cloth dampened with undiluted white vinegar, or olive oil. Tarnish rub sliced lemons on brass, copper, bronze, and aluminium. You can sprinkle baking soda sprinkled on the cut lemon surface Stove top elements Glass plate: bicarb, white vinegar and pantyhose. Electric coils: white vinegar on pantyhose. Gas: wash jets in warm water with detergent, scrub with a hard nylon brush. For charred parts, use bicarb & vinegar. Clear jets with needle or paper clip. If you have melted plastic onto a hotplate: cool with icecubes, sprinkle bicarb, spray with white vinegar, rub with rolled up pantyhose while it is fizzing. If stain persists, mix equal amounts of talcum powder and glycerine, and rub with pantyhose. Check for remnants by wiping a small amount of vegetable oil, then shine a torch to look for any irregularities on the surface. BBQ grill / grate sprinkle with bicarb & splash with vinegar, scrub with a hard nylon brush while it fizzes. For hard baked-on charring, and for rust: Heat the grill, then sprinkle with a small amount of sugar, and splash with vinegar. Together, they form a sort of toffee and bond with the old char, making it easier to remove with a scraper. To maintain the grill: cover with vegetable oil and heat until the oil starts to fume, then rub with a handful of paper towells. This seasons the metal and it forms a non-stick surface that won't rust easily. Grease remover Citrus Degreaser recipe: cup lemon juice, cup baking soda, 5 to 10 drops citrus essential oils Combine to make a paste and use a damp cloth to wipe off. (Source: womensvoices.org) Laminate bicarb & vinegar, rub with rolled pantyhose. Burns on laminate: equal parts gumption & white spirits, rub with pantyhose. Windows vinegar & water for general cleaning, then wipe with newsprint for a streak-free finish; use bicarb & vinegar for grime. Window frames clean aluminium window frames of mould/grime using cold black tea or using cream of tartar. To use Tea: dip your cleaning cloth (e.g. an old pair of pantyhose) in cold black tea and rub the aluminium surface clean. To use Cream of tartar: dip your soft cloth into a thin solution of cream of tartar and water. Silver Put hot water and a teaspoon of bicarb (or any salt) into an aluminium bowl or pan (or any bowl along with a piece of aluminium foil). Place the silver item into the bowl and the tarnish will electrolyse. Rub off any remaining tarnish with a rag.

Rust sprinkle salt on the affected area and squeeze a lime over the salt until it is well soaked. Wait 2 to 3 hrs then use the leftover lime rind to scrub the residue. For cloth: wet then cover with a paste of equal parts of salt and cream of tartar, place in the sun. Furniture polish Mix together cup olive oil, cup white vinegar, 20-30 drops lemon essential oil (source: womensvoices.org) Shake well before using. (Alternative: use cup lemon juice instead of lemon oil, then store refrigerated). Dip a clean, dry cloth into the polish and rub onto wood in the direction of the grain. Use a soft brush to work the polish into crevices or corners. Polish / buff with a soft cloth. To remove water marks, rub with toothpaste. To remove scratches use 1 part lemon juice and 1 part oil, rub with soft cloth. Wicker, Cane, Rattan or Bamboo clean with a sponge dipped into bowl of 2 tsp Baking soda in 1 L water, then polish with a small amount of baby oil on a cloth. Upholstery 'Bran ball' method see Spotless 2 by Shannon Lush. www.shannonlush.com To make a bran ball, place 1 cup unprocessed wheat bran in a bowl. Add drops of white vinegar (just one drop at a time), until the mixture resembles brown sugar. It should be clumping, but not wet. Place this mixture into the toe of a pair of pantyhose, and tie the top tightly. Rub the bran ball across the surface of the fabric, like an eraser. Floor cleaner Most floor surfaces can be easily cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water. For damp-mopping wood floors, mix equal amounts of white vinegar and water. For vinyl floors, mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 4 litres of warm water. For de-odorising and disinfecting, add some essential oil of lemon, lemon myrtle, or rose geranium. Bathroom shower screen for glass, clean with bicarb & vinegar, as for other surfaces. For polycarbonate, clean with vinegar, or if streaky, use a mixture of 1 part methylated spirits to 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water. Odours Sprinkle baking soda into small dishes, add lemon juice, leave to absorb odours e.g. in fridge, cupboards etc. Pure vanilla essence is also very effective at removing smells e.g. for microwaves, place a cup of water with a few drops of vanilla into the microwave and cook on low power for a minute, then leave. To remove strong odours (e.g. fish, onion) from utensils and boards: wipe with vinegar (+ lemon juice), wash in soapy water Canvas or Mats make a salt solution by dissolving 1 kilogram of table salt per bucket of water. Dip a stiff broom into the salty solution and scrub the surface. Leave to dry, then sweep off the salt crust and dirt with a stiff broom. ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Laundry:
Soapnuts laundry cleaner
Soapnuts are an environmentally friendly, sustainably produced, bio-degradable and compostable alternative to laundry detergents. Sapindus mukorossi is native to India and Pakistan, and the 'shells' (outer part of the fruit) have been used for centuries for various purposes including cleaning clothes, jewellery, making shampoo, and remediating soil. Great for whites, colours, and for wool, silks and other fabrics, and can be used in top-loaders and front-loaders, or hand-washing, and with cold or hot water. How do soapnuts work? Soapnut shells contain a high proportion of natural saponins, which are released into the water and act as surfactants reducing the surface tension and drawing dirt etc. into solution in the water. (Soap suds are visible, but less prolific than in commercial detergents, which contain extra foaming agents). Basic method: place 6-8 shells into a small cotton bag (provided), put the bag in a cup of hot water for a few minutes (if using cold wash), and tip the bag and water into your washing machine instead of detergent.

They leave laundry soft and fresh, and can deal with lots of dirt. For stains or heavy dirt, you can add in cup of sodium bicarbonate or carbonate (baking or washing soda) dissolved in warm water. (Generally this won't be needed, and although not as bad as phosphorus or bleaches, it does add sodium to the grey water stream.) Extremely cost-effective, the 500g bag should wash 200 loads. The nuts can be used for 4-6 consecutive loads and then disposed of in the compost bin or spread around garden plants as mulch. The wash water is natural and can be reused as grey water e.g. gardens. You can simmer used or new soapnuts in water for 10 min, then remove shells and add essential oils to make a handwash, shampoo, general cleaning spray, jewellery cleaner, ... Fairtrade soapnuts are available from New Internationalist: Newint.com.au/shop

Other laundry ideas:

Laundry powder: 1 cup soap flakes (e.g. grate a pure vegetable soap with a cheese grater) 1/2 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate) 1/2 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) Mix together and store in a glass container. Use 1 tablespoon (2 for heavy loads), to wash in warm or cold water. Softening clothes & towells: cup White vinegar in the rinse water removes any soap residues and softens fibres. Silks: Wash in shampoo with 1 tsp salt. Rinse with a small amount of conditioner and 1 Tblsp vinegar.

Stains:
General principles: Treat stains as early as you can. It becomes harder to remove a stain when it has dried and set. Pre-test for colour-fastness on an inconspicuous area of the article e.g. an inside seam. Apply whatever stain remover you plan to use, leave 2-5 min, and rub gently with a clean white towel. If colour transfers to the cloth or a change is visible on your clothing item, you may need to visit a dry cleaner. For spot stains, place the stained area face down on a clean paper towel. Apply stain remover to other side of the fabric, so that the stain will be forced off the fabric surface and onto the paper towel instead of being pressed through the fabric where its more likely to stay. Washing: When the stain has been treated or removed, launder as normal (using colder water if its milk, blood, eggs). Drying: If any staining remains, do not dry in an electric dryer, and do not iron. (High heat will set most stains completely) Some stains need to be treated several times over. Some are permanent, but its usually worth trying.

The most effective treatment depends on the fabric and on what chemicals make up the stain. Use cold water if a stain involves proteins (e.g. milk, blood, eggs), or if youre not sure For protein stains, soak or flush the item with cold water +/- soap or salt. The temperature should be cold, because heat will set the proteins, and the stain will become permanent. Any remaining oils etc. can be removed after the proteins, but you cant do it the other way around. If in doubt, try using cold water first, since at least it wont make the stain worse. For tea, coffee, or cocoa stains, apply a small amount of glycerine. For grass, use clear alcohol, or water and sugar. For grease/oil stains: ideally as soon as possible (before the stain sets), rub with white chalk, or baking soda or fine cornflour. The powder absorbs the oil and easily washes out. Comprehensive guide to stains & removal methodsl (some green, others not) http://web.extension.illinois.edu/stain/

You can usually find a guide for the exact situation (e.g. grass stains on linen), but if you cant, or if youre interested in why things work, its basically about matching the temperature (cold for proteins and most pigments, hot for oils) and solvents (e.g. water-soluble, alcohol, glycerine or fat-soluble).

Mould removal with clove oil

Source: The Accidental Greenie' blog, Jan 2011. (modified to add notes on not brushing mould, fridges, vacuums with HEPA filtration) Chlorine bleaches only 'bleach' the colour out and often do not kill the mould spores. The mould will return in a few days or weeks. Clove oil is a powerful antiseptic and inhibits mould by killing the spores. Note that the oil is irritating to the skin and should be diluted to concentrations below 1% before use. Never brush mould, as this can make the spores airborne and increase the risk of inhalation or further spread. Address the sources of spores: Check for any water leakage e.g. ceilings, air conditioner vents and beneath sinks. In your kitchen, clean the refrigerator drip tray every few months to prevent mould from developing, and spores blowing throughout the room via the refrigerator fan. Hard surfaces First clean the surfaces with a mixture of 4 litres of hot water, 1 tablespoon bicarb of soda and half a cup of vinegar. Next, mix a quarter teaspoon of Oil of Cloves (no more) per litre of water, put it in a spray bottle, lightly mist on. Leave for 20 minutes or longer, and wipe off. Spray again and leave. It will take 24-48 hours for the mould spores to dry and drop off. For heavy mould growth, wear long gloves and if you are sensitive, consider using a P1 or P2 respirator from a hardware store. Tiled areas: To clean grout and inhibit mould from returning: Add a couple of drops of clove oil to a paste of bicarb and vinegar and scrub grout with a toothbrush every few months. Soft furnishings and items Mix one kilo of uniodised salt into 9 litre bucket of water. Wash the affected surface, wait until the salt crust forms and brush off with a soft broom. Please take care that the salt does not end up in the garden. Carpets Use half the amount of soap recommended in the instructions for your steam cleaner plus add: half a cup each of of bi-carb soda, white vinegar and methylated spirits and two teaspoons each of eucalyptus oil and glycerine. Steam clean your carpet as usual. Vacuuming: use a vacuum with a HEPA filter (high efficiency particulate air filter), as this filter can trap a large amount of very small particles that other vacuum cleaners would simply recirculate back into the air of your home. (Recommended by Vic. Govt Health)

About the clove plant Eugenia caryophyllata

Image & text from www.plantguide.org

The clove-tree is native to the Moluccas, or Clove Islands, and the southern Philippines. Now cloves are extensively cultivated throughout the tropics, especially in Sumatra, the Moluccas, West Indies, Penang, Mauritius, Bourbon, Amboyne, Guiana, Brazil, and Zanzibar -in fact, throughout the tropical world. Zanzibar is said to supply most of the cloves on the market. The clove-tree may live for 60-90 years in the wild. Plantation clove-trees usually begin to yield in 5 years after planting, and live for around 20 years. Picking of the immature flowers with red calyx begins in August and lasts for about four months. From two to four crops are harvested each year.

Controlling pests and repelling unwanted guests

Ants Deter ants from their trails using soapy water; pennyroyal (do not use if pregnant); eucalyptus or orange essential oil; rubbings from a cut lemon; a scattering of crushed spearmint or tansy (Tanacetum) leaves; slices of cucumber; or a line of talcum powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon or coffee grounds. Lots of options! If you have un-sealed foods, you can prevent ants from gaining access using a 'moat' ants cannot swim, but on the other hand may be attracted to the water. Poisons: most commercial products contain poisons for ants to carry back to the nest. The most environmentally friendly poison is a very small quantity of borax mixed with sugar or salt, and placed at the ants entry points. Cats, Possums camphor Cockroaches Repellents: Bay leaves or Catnip dry, or infused and sprayed in dark corners. Salt wipe a dilute solution in cupboards and on appliances. Barriers and deterrents: Keep surroundings dry, fix any dripping taps and remove any water sources. Vacuum regularly to remove roach eggs (small hard brown rectangular cases, with rounded edges). Dust mites In laundry, add a few drops of tea tree oil. When vacuuming, suck a couple of damp tea bags or damp black tea leaves into the vacuum cleaner before you start vacuuming other surfaces. (Tannins in the tea leaves kill them) Flies Repellents: Lavender, mint, basil, bay leaves, cloves and eucalyptus oil. Barriers & deterrents: Encourage frogs and spiders to live in your house/garden; do not leave decomposing matter, such a compost, exposed to the air, as this is where they often breed; install fly screens on windows and doors. Fruit flies Incredibly simple trap: fill a cup with apple cider vinegar (to attract the flies) and add 3 drops of dish soapto break the surface tension and cause the flies to sink. Garden pests: ABC Gardening fact sheets: http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/pests_diseases_weeds.htm Annette McFarlane http://www.annettemcfarlane.com/Whats_Bugging_You.htm Mosquitoes Repellents: Burn citronella candles; place potted plants of marigold, basil and rue near doorways/windows; use oil or leaves of lemongrass, lemon myrtle, or eucalyptus. Neem oil is also a strong repellent. Moths Damage is caused by moth larvae. Keep things clean, especially when stored in the dark for a while, and use tightly sealed storage bags/containers. Repellents: in wardrobes or drawers, place a muslin bag containing dried lavender, rosemary, rose petals, cloves, nutmeg, mace, and/or cinnamon. (G-mag). Camphor is a strong repellent. Traps: Pheromone traps are available in shops, to use in wardrobes or food cupboards. Rats Coffee grounds, Snake poo (ask someone who has a carpet python in their house, or visit a wildlife park) Repellents: Bay leaf (Lauris nobilis), Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita), Camphor (Tanacetum camphoratum). Wipe the inside of cupboards and shelves with eucalyptus oil and leave cotton balls with a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil in drawers or cupboards. Put fresh bay leaves in books. (G-mag) Traps: In dark, damp areas of the house, place a glass jar with masking tape on the outside, and a piece of bread on the inside as bait. This will trap them as they climb up the sides but can't get out again. (G-mag) Slugs/Snails Make a movement barrier by placing sand, sawdust or crushed eggshells in a line or ring. Coffee kills slugs and snails, as they absorb the caffeine through their skin (Source: Jerry Coleby Williams, Gardening Australia). Make a solution from 1 part espresso coffee (not instant), add 10 parts water, then spray over leaves and the soil surface. Termites For inspections and treatment, friends have recommended: www.organicpestcontrol.com.au Traps: Commercially produced traps and baits that sit in the garden are more environmentally friendly than spraying and fumigating. These need to be installed and removed by professionals. Barriers and deterrents: Remove timber stacks, old stumps, building refuse, sleepers and wooden garden borders. Physical barriers need to be made of metal, crushed rock or other material they can't eat. Keep the area under the house dry and well ventilated because termites like humidity. Inspect the area regularly for termite activity. (G-mag) Dogs lavender Spiders deter with lemon oil

Silverfish