Basic Ingredients

• Abrasives include baking soda, salt and coffee grounds. Other than baking soda, they can be mixed into any blend to provide a green solution with abrasive action for chores such as cleaning sinks, tubs, tiles and toilets. Baking soda reacts with vinegar, so when creating a blend that contains both baking soda and vinegar, mix in an open container and add the baking soda to the vinegar. Do not use abrasives on surfaces that scratch easily such as brushed stainless steel, aluminum or painted surfaces. If you're unsure if the surface will scratch, do a test in an inconspicuous area.
  
  Natural oils, including vegetable, seed and nut oils, provide a protective conditioner for materials that require a shine such as brushed stainless steel, leather and wood.
  
  Solvents break down tough dirt. Natural solvents include lemon juice, lime juice, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. If you mix vinegar with baking soda it will foam, so mix them in an open container and pour into a spray bottle.
  
  Deodorizers kill germs as well as absorb odors. Powdered deodorizers, such as baking soda, can be used to create a solution that leaves behind a fresh, clean scent. Deodorizers include baking soda, lemon, vinegar and coffee.
  
  Fragrances can be made from natural sources such as lemons, limes, essential oils, vanilla or citrus extracts found in grocery stores. The fragrances can be mixed to create a unique blend for your personal tastes. Fragrances can be added to any recipe for green cleaning to leave behind a clean smell.
  
  

Recipes

• To clean woodwork, vinyl car interiors and other surfaces that require a shiny coat and conditioning oil to prevent drying, simply mix 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp. vegetable oil and 3 cups water in a spray bottle. Lemon extract is an inexpensive and popular fragrance that leaves a clean and deodorized smell. Add 1 tsp. lemon extract to the solution. To use, shake the bottle, spray and wipe with a clean cloth.
  
  Counters can be cleaned with a mixture of white or apple cider vinegar, baking soda and water. Mix 1 cup of water, 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar and 1 tbsp. of baking soda in a spray bottle. Add 10 drops of lemon or orange essential oil for fragrance. Shake well before each use. Spray on and wipe clean.
  
  For floors, mix two cups white or apple cider vinegar to a 3-gallon bucket of water. Add a 1/4 cup of vegetable oil for wood floors for shine and conditioning, or for linoleum to add shine. Do not add oil for tile floors. Add 2 tbsp. of lemon or orange extract to leave the room smelling fresh and clean.
  
  An abrasive is needed for tubs, toilets and bathroom tile. Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 2 tbsp. lemon juice. Pour some of the powder mixture on a wet cloth and polish. For the toilet, pour in 1/2 cup and use a toilet brush to scrub clean.