Parents' Corner
Green Living - Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Tips
Friendly reminder: Though the ingredients are natural, it is advisable to wear gloves to protect your hands.
To polish wood (olive oil + white vinegar)
Mix 3 parts of olive oil with 1 part of white vinegar in a spray bottle, shake a little, then spray mixture on wood furniture and polish surface with a dry towel.
To clean kitchen
To remove grease on metal surface (such as stove) (cornstarch + water):
Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water well to form a paste. Apply paste on grease and rub them with a scouring pad, then wipe surface with a clean towel.
To clean glass window (white vinegar + water):
Mix 1 part of white vinegar with 3 parts of water in a spray bottle, spray mixture on glass surface and wipe it with newspaper.
Vinegar is acidic which helps break down stain on glass.
To clean exhaust fan, microwave oven, kitchen cabinet, etc. (baking soda + hot water):
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda (or natural soap) with half a glass of hot water.
Apply it on cooking utensil, let it sit for 15 minutes, then scrub surface with a scouring pad.
Baking soda is highly effective in resolving grease and cleaning kitchen utensil.
To remove stain and odor inside microwave oven (lemon + water):
Lemon is highly effective in bleaching, removing odor and stain.
Soak a few slices of lemon in a glass of water, put it in the microwave oven and heat oven for a few minutes, then wipe the inside with a damped cloth.
To clean bathroom
Toothpaste
Regular white toothpaste works really well for stains on tile, washbasin, bathtub and stainless steel surface. Just apply a little bead of it, a little water and rub the stains with a small brush or a used toothbrush.
Coarse salt
Coarse salt can be poured intotoilet directly to remove stains. For tea or coffee stain on carpet, simply place some coarse salt on the stain, let it sit for a short while and wipe the stain with a damped cloth. The earlier you apply the better result you will get.
Incense ash
Incense ash is a very good cleaning agent to remove stain on tile cracks. Simply sprinkle some ash directly on the stain, rub it with a toothbrush and clean it with water.
White vinegar
Dilute a bucket of water with 2 - 3 tablespoons of white vinegar to help kill bacteria when mopping the floor, cleaning ceramic tile or glass surface.
(Note: Not suitable for cleaning marble)
To wash clothes
Laundry Ball
Laundry ball is an environmentally friendly product, which can be used as a substitute for detergent. It works by releasing ionized oxygen during washing, raising pH levels of water to soften the water and fabric, which in turn allows the water to penetrate the fabric and lift the grime. Each laundry ball can be used a few hundred times, or for some types, up to a thousand times. As laundry ball does not contain any chemical substance, it helps reduce pollution, save water and electricity because washing time is shortened. Unlike most detergents, laundry ball is gentle to fabric and its colors, hence making clothes more durable. In addition, laundry ball is hypoallergenic, which is suitable for people with skin allergy or eczema.
