Green Cleaning

Last Wednesday after a very discouraging day searching the internet for jobs, I took my frustrations first to the gym and then out on my kitchen floor.  Our floor is very old-full of scratches and stains.  No matter how much you scrub on hands and knees, it still resembles something you might see in "Joe's Apartment" sans roaches.  On my knees, I inhaled the toxic bleach, began to tear up (current employment status aside), and started to get a headache. 

If you are using any type of chemical that causes this reaction, it's probably not good for you, or your pets!  Always a big fan of bleach, I've covered many a college dwelling with the stuff in hopes of crystal clean white magic.  It does have a cleaning/disinfecting benifit, but you can't wash the stuff off of your hands and it makes you cry.  I decided after that day that I'd start cleaning with natural products.  I looked online for recipes.  My favorite is just vinegar, water, and lemon juice.  Good surface cleaner, and Philly the dog doesn't have a sneeze attack.  Boil water and sprinkle in cinamon for an air freshener.  Did you know you can use vinegar as a fabric softener?  Don't worry about the smell-it's washed out.  Olive oil and lemon or essential oil for funiture polish....Borax is great for sinks-tub-tile (dip half a lemon in and use as a scrubber).  All of this stuff is super cheap and it won't leave you crying or with a pounding headache.  Fun to experiment and make you own recipes in discarded spray bottles. 

*I'm denying the urge to buy cigarrettes.  None on Saturday, a few Sunday night over beers, none so far today.  New rule is to only smoke when drinking.  Avoid urge to drink. :).