Green, Revisited

I have just cleaned both of my bathrooms in the green way. Baking soda and vinegar. As I was doing so, it occurred to me that I have shared what I clean with, but not how. So, I will give you the scoop(or spray as the case may be).

I have a nice spray bottle that is full of vinegar(WHITE-I don't like the apple cider kind, it stinks). Full strength. I use it for everything-wiping down my tables, coutertops, etc. Every fruit or vegetable that comes into my home gets the vinegar shower, soak and rinse. I also use it to clean my floors in a very incorrect way, meaning after I sweep or vacuum, I get all the spots drenched with my spray bottle and wipe them up with a rag. I do not mop. Ocassionally, I do get down on my hands and knees and clean my entire floor with a rag and vinegar. I personally think mopping is very nasty. I do my bathrooms probably about once every two months in this way. Kitchen floor much less often, but it gets spot cleaned way more often than the bathrooms too!

To clean my bathtub, I spray the entire bath tub with vinegar and then sprinkle baking soda all over it. It makes a very satisfying hissing bubbling noise. Then I smear that vinegar/baking soda paste all over the entire tub. Then I let it set for about 1 minute while I do the sink. Back to the tub while the sink soaks. One little wipe takes care of every little bit of soap scum on my tub and makes it shine. I rinse it all off with no worry about drying because it does not spot. Then I do my sink and last is the commode. This leaves my bathroom completely odor free. The vinegar smell evaporates immediately- a natural deodorizer. I have no fear that when I run my ridiculously hot bath, that harsh chemicals are soaking into my enlarged pores, vinegar is completely natural. So is baking soda.

Now, please give it a try. A quart of vinegar is about 55 cents and baking soda is 50 cents. For $1.05, you can afford to give it a try. If you hate it, go back to your corrosive chemicals. Just don't blame me for that rash you get after soaking in the chemical laden tub.

Now, I must clarify something. I do try to be a greenie. However, Al Gore has nothing to do with it. I think he is the biggest hypocrite that has ever ridden in a jet all over the planet. I don't think the entire population of our fine country could ever plant enough trees to offset his "carbon footprint".-THIS IS WRONG FOR ME TO SAY UN-NICE THINGS ABOUT AL GORE-FORGIVE ME. EVEN AL GORE IS ONE OF GOD'S CREATION. However, I don't happen to believe in "carbon footprints" either. I have read my element chart and therefore I know carbon is naturally occurring-not created by me. I do not believe it is possible for human beings to make a big enough impact to cause global warming. I believe we are as insignificant as a cow fart-at least as it relates to the environment.(And I do believe cow farts are as harmless as mine.)(However, having consumed large amounts of veggies all the time-Vegans are definitely producing some bad emissions!!) This planet has been heating up and cooling down since it was created and it will continue no matter what we do. That said, we are lazy gluttonous slobs and I hate it. We have now moved our factories to other countries to pollute their water and land because the rules here got too strict. It makes me furious. Americans are not good stewards of the earth and it is maddening. This planet is the best gift ever. Especially Christians owe it to their creator to keep it as clean and pristine as is possible. I'm trying to be more aware and make better choices. I'm am also a self-confessed hypocrite. This is a hard country to be conservative with trash in. I certainly would not want to live with my garbage for a year-but I bet if I did, I would give more thought to the garbage I am putting through the landfill.

Whew, what a long post. Let me know if you try vinegar and vinegar/baking soda combo. I happen to love it but I am interested in how it works for the rest of you. Also, if you have a laundry detergent or dishwashing detergent alternative, let me know. Vinegar does not cut it for either one-at least in my experience.