It shouldn't take a devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan to make us all stop and think about our fragile environment. Still, pictures of nuclear reactors on fire and water filled with radioactive material being pumped into the sea motivate me to find ways of being more eco-friendly. In the spirit of preserving the environment, I thought I'd offer you some tips from my bank of green ideas that I have saved over the years. These environmentally friendly tips are great green tips I use all the time, and they are easy on your budget during this guava season.
1. The wonders of vinegar: Use 1/8 cup of vinegar (or even a little less) to a bucket of water to wash your tile or terrazzo floors. Vinegar is actually great for killing germs.
2. The wonders of vinegar part II: Vinegar water also happens to be the one and only way I know of to stop a puppy from urinating on the floor when you're house training him-or her. When you use fancy floor cleaners on your floor, your puppy will go back to the same spot he originally urinated on. The only thing that lifts the scent entirely and prevents him from going in the same spot is vinegar water. Try it. It works like magic.
3. Say goodbye to mosquitoes: Citronella oil really does work to keep mosquitoes away. I practically bathe in it-even though it says use just a little bit. Just slap it on. Sometimes I pour a couple of drops on the fan. I have even been known to leave some citronella oil in an open bowl. Mosquitoes really hate citronella oil.
4. Kiss viruses-and lota-goodbye: Make a tea from pau d'arco root (anti-fungal) grated ginger root (anti-bacterial) and clove (anti-bacteria and and anti-fungal). Drink at least a cup of this brew every day and you'll be strong like a horse. The only time I get a virus or cold is when I don't drink this tea religiously. If you drink this tea and dry brush your skin, you'll see lota peal off in layers-at least that was my one and only experience with lota.
5. Goodbye nasty tea and coffee stains: Much to my horror, I once saw someone cleaning my stained teapot with a drop of Clorox bleach in water. Instead, go natural and make a paste out of baking soda.
For stubborn stains, add a drop of vinegar. Apply true grit and stains disappear.
6. Keep your drain flowing smoothly: Take some of that same baking soda, pour it in your sink and pour some white vinegar on top. Your sink will gurgle and bubble like an exploding volcano. It's easier on your pipes than chemically based cleaners, and it will keep your drain from getting clogged up.
7. Make your own dishwashing liquid: I got this recipe for synergistic dishwashing liquid from The Naturally Clean Home by Karen Sigel-Maere. Use liquid castile soap, 15 drops lemon or lemongrass essential oil, 6 drops lavender essential oil and 5 drops bergamot essential oil. Fill a clean 22-ounce plastic squirt bottle with castile soap diluted according to directions. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake. Voila! You have dishwashing soap.
8. Disinfect your cutting board: If I see anyone washing a wooden cutting board with soap I want to hold my head and cry. Decades ago, I saw a show which suggested you wet your board, pour a healthy dose of salt on it and scrub away. It will lift out the bacteria and keep your board smooth and nice. It is also great for circulation in your hands. I have also seen suggestions to use a lemon rind to clean your cutting board.
9. Make your own fabric softener: All you need is one gallon of vinegar and ten drops of Peppermint Oil. Add half to one cup to the rinse load.
10. Dryer cloths: Take an old piece of cotton-clean of course-and put a few drops of your favourite scented oil on it. You can use peppermint, cedar, Jasmine-the sky is the limit.
11. Crayon marks on the wall: This too comes from the book The Naturally Clean Home. Use a few drops of peppermint or tea tree oil mixed with toothpaste-it doesn't have to be any special toothpaste. Daub the mixture on the crayon marks and then wipe the wall clean with a cloth dipped in vinegar water. Boy, the wonders of vinegar!
12. See flies run from you: If you want to chase away flies, make a bouquet of bay leaves. Put bay leaf branches in vases around your house or weave some around your burglar proofing in your windows. You have to tear the leaves for this to work.
When you do tear the leaves, you'll witness the most amazing sight: flies fighting to get out of your house. Tear a few at a time and your bouquet can last up to three days. There you have it-green tips to make us all feel a little better with all the disasters going on around us.