Lake Friendly Cleaning!

Kid's Tip Try making recipe cards as gifts. With an adult's help, you could mix some of these up and make your own lake friendly labels. It might even make cleaning your room fun! (Just Kidding!)

Many common household cleaners are toxic to Lake Champlain, people, pets and the environment. Try these environment friendly recipes for a clean home and a clean outdoors! If you have any of your own recipes to share, send us an e-mail.

Environment Friendly Cleaning Recipes

Air Fresheners Set out vinegar or baking soda in an open dish. Simmer whole spices or potpourri in water on stove. Burn scented candles.
Rug Cleaner Sprinkle corn starch on rug and vacuum off.	Scouring Mixture Rub area with baking soda or table salt on a wet sponge.
	Drain Cleaner Pour 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of baking soda followed by a kettle of hot water down the drain. Use a plunger or a metal snake.
Copper Cleaner Use ketchup to clean and remove tarnish from copper.
	Furniture Polish Mix 1 part lemon juice with 1 part olive or vegetable oil. Let stand for several hours then polish.
Glass Cleaner Mix three parts water with one part vinegar.
	Laundry Bleach Use 1/2 cup of either baking soda, borax or white vinegar.
Light Duty Cleaner Use a combination of 1 quart warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid soap, 1 teaspoon Borax to clean counters, floors, etc.	Oven Cleaner Wipe up spills soon after they occur with a paste of baking soda, salt, and water.
	Bathroom Cleaner Use a solution of one part vinegar to four parts water.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner Use a toilet brush with baking soda or pour 1/4 cup Borax or 2 Vitamin C tablets into water and let stand overnight before flushing.	Carpet Cleaner For fresh stains our on a little club soda, let stand, sponge up. For older stains mix 2 tablespoons dishwashing detergent, 3 tablespoons vinegar, and 1 quart warm water. Work into stain and blot as dry as possible.
Tub and Sink Cleaner Rub with lemon. For bad stains make a paste of peroxide and cream of tartar; scrub with a small brush.
	Upholstery Cleaner Mix 1/2 cup mild detergent with 2 cups of boil water. Cool until a jelly forms. Whip with a hand beater for a stiff foam.

Thanks to the Lake Champlain Committee's "Clean Lake Tips" poster for the recipes.