But do you really want to use conventional spray cleaners with their chemicals and artificial smells—or, worse, use bleach on the surfaces your food lives on day in and day out? And how to get out those nasty spills and stains? (Where do those come from, anyway?)

Good news: an edible item that you probably already have in your fridge is the perfect way to clean up the mess and get rid of any lingering odors: baking soda. Baking soda is a natural abrasive that, by the way, is also great for cleaning out your oven or bathroom.

Cleaning the interior of your refrigerator is not a small project, but with a little bit of organization and focus, you can do it quickly and waste as little electricity (and food) as possible. Here’s how:

Step 1

Pull everything out, quickly, and stack it on the counter.

Step 2

Remove drawers and shelves and close the fridge door while you fill up the sink with warm soapy water and let them soak.

Step 3

Add about ½ cup of baking soda to a bowl or pail of warm water (as hot as you can tolerate; wear gloves if it helps).

Step 4

Use a clean rag to scrub the inside of your fridge with the baking soda mixture, and another clean, dry rag to wipe it down after.

Step 5

Scrub down your shelves and drawers with the water/baking soda mix and then dry them off.

Step 6

Place everything back in much more neatly, and with renewed dedication to keeping your fridge, and your health, in order!

1. Your mattress should be aired out twice a year. If you have the space, it’s a great idea to bring the mattress out into the sunshine for a few hours (UV rays kill mold and mildew)… then don’t forget to flip it over when you put it back on the bed. If you can’t bring it outside, another option is to prop your mattress up in a well-ventilated room and open all the windows for a few hours.
2. Then, vacuum your mattress to eliminate dust, mites and dead skin.
3. Wash your pillows in the bathtub (or on gentle cycle in the machine, if they’re down) with some mild liquid detergent, then put them in the dryer with a brand new, clean tennis ball to fluff them back up.
4. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to wash not just your sheets, but all your bedding — including quilts, blankets and mattress covers.
5. While your bed is dismantled, it’s a great idea to vacuum those hard-to-reach spots underneath!
6. A spritz of diluted essential oils makes a great air freshener. You can buy essential oils at Whole Foods and most natural markets and pharmacies.  Simply mix 20-30 drops in a glass spray bottle with water, and use to freshen up your sleeping quarters with the aroma of your choice. We particularly like: lavender (it has a calming effect — the better for sleeping), peppermint (it’s cooling and sweet), and eucalyptus (an invigorating, sinus-clearing scent!).

It’s a big job, but the benefits are worth it. You’ll sleep better (and who knows, maybe even snore a little less!) with clean, cared-for bedding.

1. Choose products with less ingredients. This goes for food (ideally avoiding processed foods), cosmetics/bodycare products, and cleaning products. Replace at least some of your cleaning products with good old-fashioned vinegar and water. Avoid bleach when you can.
2. Throw out your Teflon pans! Teflon, for so long a popular nonstick option, is now known to emit toxic fumes when scratched and heated. Consider cast iron instead.
3. Trade in your mattress and bedding for organic options. If you can’t quite afford a whole new mattress just yet, consider buying an organic cotton mattress topper and organic cotton sheets.
4. Use filtered tap water instead of bottled. Less plastic waste, less chance of contaminants.
5. Think about what you’re stocking your kitchen with. Eating local, sustainable, organic foods whenever possible is better for your body and the community you live in. Localfoodswheel.com sells a handy tool to help you figure out what’s local and seasonal in your area.

Happy new years from all of us at Greenforce!

Different houseplants are known for different purifying properties:

• If you have a diagnosed issue with formaldehyde, for example, stock up on any of the following genuses: aloe vera, philodendron, bamboo, rubber plants, English ivy, ficus, or Boston ferns.
• The Draceana known as “Janet Craig” is great at sucking up cigarette smoke.
• Dwarf Date Palms can neutralize xylene, a toxin found in paint and solvents.
• Peace lilies mask acetone (like in nail polish remover).
• Spider plants are a remedy for carbon monoxide. (Although if you suspect a carbon monoxide issue in your house, best to get a carbon monoxide alarm and have it looked at right away!)
• Mums (aka chrysanthemums) take care of the scent of ammonia.
• Palms (like the Areca Palm or Lady Palm) are great catchalls for generally clean air. Like a splash of color? Gerbera Daisies are good for this, too.

NASA has actually conducted an official study on the matter (The Clean Air Study, natch), so if you want to hear what the scientists have to say, Wikipedia hosts the breakdown of common houseplants and how they rate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_air-filtering_plants

Materials

• A few same-sized squares of a breathable fabric (Cheesecloth is great for this and can be found in most kitchen supply stores, and even in the kitchen supply aisle of your local grocery.)
• A handful of cotton balls
• Several drops of your favorite essential oil (Suggestions: cedar, citrus, sandalwood, peppermint)

Sprinkle essential oil onto the cotton balls until they are pungent but not soaked. Place the cotton balls on one square of fabric, place another square over the top like a piecrust, and then either stitch, glue, or staple the two squares together.

If you’re feeling particularly inspired, you can attach a string or ribbon to hang the newfangled air freshener from your rearview. Else, just toss it in the console or under a seat. And enjoy the luxury of being stuck in traffic in a sweet-smelling, refreshingly summery car!

But the truth is, there are natural alternatives to the chemical-based cleaning products that we grew up with and constantly see advertised on T.V. Stores like Whole Foods and even some mainstream groceries now carry alternative product lines that are better for the environment and for your body.

You can take it a step further and make your own disinfectant spray for very little effort and cost.

Certain herbs and natural substances have been used as antiseptics since ancient times. In fact, their natural antiseptic properties helped popularize the use of such herbs as lavender, mint, and thyme. Window boxes full of these fragrant herbs aren’t just a nice way to supplement your home cooking — they can actually freshen the air and keep insects at bay. And essential oils culled from these and other plants have potent antiseptic effects. The trick is to use these essential oils in the right amounts and combinations — otherwise they can be ineffective or, worse, toxic.

Here’s one great antibacterial spray that’s easy to make, smells amazing, and does the job quite nicely:

• 2 1/2 cups water

• 10 drops sweet orange essential oil

• 5 drops lavender essential oil

• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Mix them together in a spray bottle, and go! You can use this one for cleaning countertops, bathrooms, and cutting boards. Essential oil sprays should last a long time if stored in a cool, dark place.

Even if your cats and dogs don’t go outside, they are at risk of picking up fleas from visitors to your house. And once infested, fleas are an insidious nightmare to get rid of.

You can go the high-tech chemical route with nasty flea collars and toxic flea medication… or you can try one of these natural and inexpensive solutions.

Pet Shampoo – DOGS ONLY

This is a great dog shampoo you can make out of things you might just have lying around the house already. This shampoo should not be used on cats, because they are very sensitive to citrus.

• 10oz water
• 1 T liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronners)
• 1 t vegetable oil
• 1 t orange oil (fleas hate it), or 5-10 drops of rosemary oil

Skin Rub

This one is safe for dogs and cats, albeit potentially messy. Simply mix it together, and rub it into their coat.

• ½ teaspoon rosemary oil
• ½ cup olive oil

Flea Powder

Safe on both dogs and cats.

• ½ t dried eucalyptus (you can substitute fennel or rosemary)
• ¼ cp cornstarch

Grind the herb(s) up in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Mix into the cornstarch and then sprinkle on your pet’s fur, taking the time to rub it into the skin.

NOTE: With most natural remedies, using them sooner is better. Although these herb-based medicinals won’t go bad quickly, most herbs lose their potency after a few weeks.

But do you really want to eat food that’s been cooked in an oven recently scoured with powerful, toxic sprays and scrubs? No bueno.

The Recipe

• 2 T Sal Suds (A liquid cleaner from Dr. Bronners. Other liquid non-detergent soaps will do, but this one works best.)
• 2 t Borax (available at any hardware store)
• 1 T Baking soda
• Warm water

Mix these things together in a spray bottle, wait until the borax and baking soda are completely dissolved, and you’re good to go. The trick to spraying the oven is to hold the bottle very close to the dirty surface and spray it gently, so that the cleansing solution clings to the walls of your oven and doesn’t end up mostly airborne.

Let the solution sit for a half hour or so, and then put your rubber gloves on and scrub with a scouring pad and a natural scouring powder (ie not chlorinated).

TIP: The best way to clean your oven? Don’t let it get dirty. Putting down a cookie sheet or even a strip of aluminum foil on the lower rack can prevent icky gooey spills from adhering to your oven floor.

This time of year, plenty of local and national organizations are taking donations of winter clothes, canned food, children’s toys, and more. But before you un-hoard your house and toss your leftover belongings in the charity bins, consider washing them—especially clothes.

When you buy laundry-cleaning products, be an eco-savvy consumer. Here’s what you want to look out for:

Laundry Detergent:

Look for the keyword “biodegradable,” and make sure it doesn’t contain phosphates (nasty inorganic chemicals that contribute to water pollution and inhibit the growth of organisms when their balance is out of whack).

Bleach Alternatives:

Toxic, pungent bleach irritates the lungs and the environment. Instead, add a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your wash. For whites, you could instead add ½ cup borax. And for darks, a cup of white vinegar (which locks in dye—think Easter eggs).

Fabric Softener:

A cup of baking soda works in a pinch!

Dryer Sheets:

Most of the fabric dryer sheets you can buy contain synthetic chemicals and contribute to landfill waste. Instead, consider investing in a lavender sachet that you can toss in with your laundry as it dries. It’s re-usable and smells naturally great!

And here’s another tip: stay away from dry cleaning if you can.

Dry cleaning methods use chemicals instead of water to clean your things. Those chemicals are not only environmental contaminants, but they have been known to infiltrate the body’s systems and even seep into breast milk. Nasty! The easiest way to avoid dry cleaning chemicals? Buy clothes that don’t need to be dry cleaned.

All you need is a spray bottle (glass is always best) and a few simple ingredients.

The Recipe:

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon GSE (grapefruit seed extract, sold in the bodycare department of most health food and supplement stores)
• 10 drops citrus essential oil (optional)

Shake it up, spray it on a chamois cloth, and give it a wipe!

* Note that this mixture should not be used on the surface of your screen.