7 secrets to green up your spring clean

7 secrets to green up your spring clean Spring is here, and that means it is time for a good spring-cleaning. And 1 cup of vinegar in dishwasher will clean its inner workings. One warning: do not use vinegar on marble or other porous surfaces. White vinegar works wonders. A cup of borax left in the toilet bowl overnight leaves it fresh and clean. That makes it a good choice for countertops, oven tops, stainless steel and the sink. These "air-fresheners" can actually leave dangerous levels of hormone disrupting phthalates or formaldehyde (a known carcinogen) behind. Fresh air, baking soda (sprinkled in everything from garbage cans to tennis shoes), soy candles, or essential oils are healthier options. Safely dispose of household hazardous waste. Use a paste to scrub the sides of the tub to a sparkling white, or mix a great solution of 1 cup of borax with 1 gallon of hot water to eat away at mold in tile grout. Green your laundry routine. For softer clothes add a 1/4cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle as a natural fabric softener (use less for HE machines). If you have stubborn stains, use a baking soda paste of three parts baking soda and one part water. Let it sit for a while, scrub the area, and then wipe clean. You can bring this mixture to a boil in the microwave to loosen stuck on food and grease. Whether you choose kitchen towels, washcloths, or cut up old T-shirts, the key is in quantity. The smell of vinegar disappears as the clothes dry. Break the paper towel habit. Choose air fresheners that don't pollute. Today, I'm sharing my top seven green cleaning secrets to help you do your part for your environment. Make sure you have plenty of options on hand for wiping down the counters or cleaning up an unexpected coffee spill. These items should never be thrown in the trash where they can contaminate our air, land, and water. 7 secrets to green up your spring clean Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 10/04/2012