Clean This Green Style

I have been having trouble with some mildew in the shower and needed a refresher course on how to handle it friendly to the environment style. I did a little research and came up with this…

Mold Remover

Vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner; use it straight for tough jobs, or dilute it with water. Tea-tree oil is a natural fungicide and can help disinfect surfaces — mix 2 teaspoons with 2 cups water. To whiten stained tiles or grout, use a mixture of 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide to 1 cup water. All of these solutions can be sprayed onto a surface, allowed to dry, then wiped with a damp cloth.

Tub and Tile Cleaner

Vinegar works well on soap scum and mineral deposits, but rinse thoroughly, as it can corrode some fixtures and etch glaze on tiles. You can also try tea tree oil — 2 drops tea tree oil with 1 cup water — in a spray bottle. A natural antiseptic and fungicide, tea tree oil costs more than vinegar but will kill most types of mold and help prevent growth; as with all concentrated oils, it should be used with caution, as it can trigger allergic reactions if it comes into contact with skin.

I stumbled upon these great natural carpet stain remover tips as well…

Pour a small amount of soda water onto a fresh carpet spill, and blot with a towel. Don’t rub, as you may mat the fibers. If the stain is set, try hydrogen peroxide: Pour some onto a clean, white cloth, then press cloth to carpet. Wait about 15 minutes, blot with a clean cloth. There should be no need to rinse.

I am going super green style in 2010!

-Cara

May I Recommend Something

Flip-flop season is upon us here in New York City, well at least it was last week. This week it has gotten a bit colder and rainy. None of this matters of course, except that last week it was warm enough for me to wear my flip-flops out. I walked for about three hours in them non-stop. My left foot was not ready it seems for such a long journey and served me with a blister where the strap rubbed it one too many times. I needed some first aid fast!

I got home and discovered we were out of topical antibiotic ointment or first aid cream (like Neosporin or Band-Aid cream), call it what you will. Anyway, I wanted to get a natural cream instead of a chemically based one, but was worried, I had tried Bach’s Rescue Cream based on a recommendation that it healed cuts with its blend of “six Bach Flower Essences“. I like the regular Rescue Remedy, so I tried it. It turned out to do nothing for me. This is why I was worried about trying another natural cream. My other struggle was I knew Neosporin worked and worked fast…but at what cost???

This other gentleman recommended I use Nelsons Tea Tree Cream (they make Bach’s Rescue Cream as well), over this other cream specifically designed for cuts and blisters. I was weary and had yet another struggle over trusting a box or a person. In the end I chose the person and took the Tea Tree Cream.

Here’s what happen, the first day (after two applications) I did not notice much improvement. The second day (I think I used it once) maybe it was a little better…well not worse for sure. Then suddenly by the third day…magic…no red around the wounds and it scabbed up really well. :-O It’s great now and if I had used the cream everyday, it would have healed faster, but that’s not me! :)

I am glad I listened to the human.

Humans – 1 Boxes – 0

-Cara