Green tips

Homemade cleaners

Problem: Using commercial cleaning solutions in your home can cause health problems and be harsh on the environment.

Safe solution: Make your own! Here are some recipes:

• Mild all-purpose cleaner: Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda in a quart of warm water, then use clear water as a rinse.

• Stronger all-purpose cleaner: Mix 1 tablespoon each of ammonia and liquid laundry detergent to a pint of water. (CAUTION: Never mix ammonia with bleach, which can be harmful.)

• Window cleaner: Mix 1 cup of water, 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and 3 tablespoons of household ammonia.

• Drain clog cleaner: Pour ½ to 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by ½ to 1 cup of white vinegar. After 5 minutes, follow with a gallon of boiling water.

Tips: Never mix cleaning products. Always use as much ventilation as possible.

Source: From the book "Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House" by Cheryl Mendelson (Scribner, 2005).

Compiled by digs editor Colleen McBrinn. Green Tips is a weekly feature on environmentally friendly ways of living.