TIP OF THE MONTH, January 2019
Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda,
is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3.
Naturally mined baking soda is sold by Bob’s Red Mill
or Arm&Hammer.
Scouring paste with Baking Soda
For many stains, a simple scouring paste made of baking soda and water is very effective. This scouring paste can be used for burnt food in pans and on stoves, but also for bathrooms, tile joints, porcelain, acrylic glass, chrome, stainless steel, gold and silver.
1. Take a tablespoon or a cup of soda (as needed), add some water and stir into a homogenous paste.
2. You can apply this soda paste to the staining, let it soak for a short time and scrub if necessary.
3. Rinse with water and rub dry.
Did you know? Sodium bicarbonate can be an effective way of controlling fungal growth and in the United States is registered by the EPA as a biopesticide.
TIP OF THE MONTH, April 2019
Dish Soap (for about 500 ml)
15 g ground curd soap / hard soap / Savon de Marseille
3 teaspoons of baking soda
500 ml water
optional: 10-20 drops of an essential oil (e.g. lime, lemon or lavender)
1 bottle - I continue to use the bottle of my previous dish soap
Heat water until it boils, then stir in soap flakes with a whisk until completely dissolved.
Allow the product to cool and stir again and again.
Then add the baking soda and the essential oil and stir. Fill in a bottle - ready!
If the liquid is too gel-like, add more water and stir again!
Sustainable Living by Claudia
TIP OF THE MONTH, May 2019
Natural all-purpose cleaner
Do you want to work without chemical cleaners in your house? Try this recipe for home-made citrus-vinegar cleaner!
It’s very simple to make and has a fresh citrus scent.
What you need:
Citrus fruit peels (lemons, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines)
White Vinegar
A container, e.g. a large mason jar (avoid plastic)
That’s how it’s made:
1. Fill the citrus peels tightly into the jar.
2. Add vinegar until everything is completely covered.
3. Let stand for 2-3 weeks.
4. If necessary, add vinegar (peels should always be completely covered to avoid mold).
When the vinegar is darker and smells of citrus fruits, the cleaner is ready. It is very good at dissolving limescale and can be applied directly and undiluted.To use, pour the liquid through a fine sieve and fill it e.g. into an empty spray bottle of your previous cleaner.
A dash of detergent or liquid soap reduces the surface tension and ensures that the cleaner adheres well to smooth surfaces.
Note: This cleaner is not suitable for natural stone floors as lime and other minerals could be dissolved and washed out. For such surfaces, you should only use highly diluted vinegar water at best. Also, for silicone joints and rubber seals cleaners with high vinegar content are not suitable because the active ingredients of the vinegar can make the joints porous. Better use citric acid or wash-soda to clean silicone joints.
TIP OF THE MONTH, February 2019
Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda,
is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3.
Naturally mined baking soda is sold by Bob’s Red Mill
or Arm&Hammer.
Remove dirt film from coffee and tea
When tea and coffee pots take on ugly dirt film,
traditional methods rarely help.
With a simple trick, the jugs and cups can be cleaned: Put a teaspoon of baking soda in a jug or ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a cup and pour boiling water over it.
Leave overnight and the next morning the deposits are dissolved and can be easily wiped off.
TIP OF THE MONTH, March 2019
Refreshing deodorants
Purchased deodorants cost too much, usually produce plastic waste and contain (too many) substances that are not as good as advertised. Are you looking for a fragrant deodorant without aluminum? Here are very simple recipes for you:
Ingredients:
7 fresh mint leaves, ¼ untreated lime
100 ml of boiled water, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¼ tsp salt
Preparation:
Puree mint, lime and water in a blender. Strain through a fine sieve and place in a atomizer bottle, ideally in a glass bottle.
Add soda and salt, shake, done!
Store in the refrigerator and spray cold on the skin. (Source: www.gruenekosmetik.at/infomaterial.php)
Deodorant with soda, coconut and sage oil
Mix equal parts soda and coconut oil and put the paste in a small glass jar with a screwtop. If you like you can add essential oils, e.g. sage oil. The soda is the active ingredient and the coconut oil is the skin-care component. You only need one pea-sized blob per armpit.
Another option is to fill an old deodorant container with the paste. To make it a little less liquid mix in beeswax and potato or corn starch.
Soda dissolved in water works in an old deodorant container with a round ball on top. You can also fill an old glass spray dispenser with the soda solution. Shake the solution to prevent clogging.
If you would like to share a tip for sustainable living in Lake Forest or Lake Bluff please email greenmindslflb@gmail.com
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