Environmentally Friendly Tips Keep salt shakers full of baking soda at kitchen and bathroom sinks - soda will shine taps, remove spots from kitchen counters as well as cleaning the sinks. Drain Opener: Open drains with plunger or metal snake. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into drain (or washing soda), add 1/2 cup vinegar. Wait a few minutes and follow with 2 cups boiling water. Flush weekly with equal amount baking soda and boiling water. Don't pour fat or cooking oils down the drain; instead cool and dispose with household garbage. [Alternate drain opener recipe: Mix together 1 cup baking soda, one cup salt, 1/4 cup cup cream of tartar. To keep your drain from being clogged, regularly pour 1/4 cup of the above mixture into drain. Follow this with one litre of boiling water and then flush with cold water. If drain is clogged, pour in 1/4 cup baking soda followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Close drain until fizzing stops and flush with boiling water.] Air Freshener: Ventilate. Add cloves and cinnamon to boiling water. Set out dish of vinegar. Recipes using straight bleach javex for sinks, tiles stoves refrigerators linoleum toilet bowls and bathtubs - wash then wipe with solution of 200ml bleach per 5L of warm water. Rinse and keep wet 10 minutes with bleach solution if stains persist. Do not use with ammonia or other toilet bowl cleaner! Chrome Cleaner: Use baking soda and a dry cloth. Carpet & Upholstery cleaner: Clean stains immediately with cold water or soda water. Vacuum with wet/dry unit. Sprinkle cornstarch on rug and vacuum. Use soap-based non-aerosol rug shampoo. Disinfectant: Use 1/4 cup borax dissolved in 1 litre of warm water. Expired Medication: Return surplus medication to your local pharmacy. Antibiotics should NOT be flushed into septic systems. They kill useful bacteria in the system. Small quantities of pharmaceutical can be flushed down the toilet. Fabric Softener: Add 1 cup vinegar or 1/4 cup baking soda to rinse. Another method is to put aside one wet article such as a towel after the wash is completed and to add to the clothes being dried 5 or ten minutes before the end of the drying cycle. Furniture polish: Mix 1 part vinegar and 3 parts olive oil or use 1 tsp lemon oil in 1 litre mineral oil. Apply with a soft cloth. Buff again if desired. Laundry Bleach: Substitute 1/2 cup borax per washload. Use a phosphate-free soap. Wash clothes in water and 45 ml ( 3 TBS) washing soda. Rewash with 1 cup pure soap powder with 1 1/2 to 3 TBS washing soda. Treat stubborn stains prior to washing. Laundry detergent: Add 1/3 cup washing soda to water before placing clothes in machine and substitute soap flakes or powder for detergent. Laundry pre-soak: Use a paste of washing soda and water. Oven Cleaner: For baked-on grease, wipe with ammonia and let sit overnight, then scrub with baking soda. Use a tray to catch spills, sprinkle salt on spills when still warm and scrub. Porcelain Cleaner: Apply baking soda/water paste, let sit, rub clean and rinse. Scouring Powders: Baking soda or salt. Stain Remover: Clean stains immediater with soda water. Stainless Steel Cleaner: Wash in 4 litres warm water and 3 TBS baking soda. Tub & Tile Cleaners: Apply vinegar (full strength) to area then scour with baking soda. Use a toothbrush for scrubbing cracks. Window Cleaner: Use solution of 1/2 cup vinegar in 4 litres warm water. Use crumpled newspapers to dry glass. Wood Preservatives: Mix 3 cups (750 ml) exterior varnish with 30 ml (2 TBS) paraffin wax and enough mineral spirits or turpentine to make 4.5 litres. Dip wood or spply with a brush. Let dry. Paint a few days later. Purchase rot-resistant lumber such as cedar or eastern larch. Kath <mzmouser@earthlink.net> ~`* `*' `*' `* `*' `*' *' `*' *' `*' `* `*' *' `*' ~~~