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SPRING IS the natural time for cieaning, organizing and refreshing your home.

Now is the time to begin do- ing the chores you’re thinking

about, before the kids get out”

of school and summer ac- tivities are in full swing. Here are ideas to get you inspired, followed by some environmen- tally safe cleaning substances that will help you get the job done right:

1. Clean windows first. Then Iet those fresh breezes

blow! Sparkling windows and refreshing air will lessen the boredom of cther household duties. So, put on some good music, grab your rubber gloves and a bucket with your favorite cleaning supplies (white vinegar, water and newspapers will do the job) and go to work. Remember, window cleaning is lots easier if you do it when the sun isn’t shining (to prevent streaking).

2. Don’t let the whole house discourage you, Put one room

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in order, then move on. Begin where you spend lots of time, like the kitchen.

3. Arm yourself with the right cleaning tools. Look for brushes and brooms designed for the job you must do, with handies that are com- fortable to hold.

4. Plan your stategy. Write down what you hope to ac- complish as you tackle each room. Then check off finish- ed projects. Ah, feels great, doesn’t it?

Kitchen Tips: Place foods that leak (flour, sugar, crackers) and foods you want to keep crispy fresh in tight- sealing food containers for cabinets that don’t attract in-

17 ~ Friday,

sects and stay neat as a pin. Attach space-saving organizers to kitchen cabinet doors and walls to free other areas. Foil and waxed paper slip into wrap and bag organizers that easily mount to cabinet doors with screws. Similar organizers are available for cleaning supplies, brooms and mops, and your iron and ironing board too. Just hang on a door, pan- try wall or whatever you like.

Now is also the time to set up a kitchen recycling system for papers, glass, metals and compost. With a little organization, recycl- ing becomes easy.

Bedroom Tips: Empty closets and drawers one by one, placing out-of-

season contents in storage boxes.

SAFER SUBSTANCES The follow- ing six sub- stances were listed in the

Canadian Green Consumer Guide as the “big six” of environmentally- friendly cleaning. While all are safer than their manufactured chemical counterparts, some still need to be handled with care. For more information, consult the consumer guide, prepared by Pollution Probe and published by McClelland and Stewart, or other environ-

ment infoimation groups.

® Vinegar removes mildew, stains and wax buildup. Use it to clean coffee pots, glass, paint brushes, grout, windows and fireplaces.

° Pure soap. cleans everything from dishes to cars. ¢ Baking soda is the all-round champion. Baking soda cleans, deodorizes, scours, polishes, removes stains and softens fabrics. Use it on

March 9, 1990 - North Shore News plastic, vinyl, carpeting and upholstery: on silver and stainless — steel; inside refrigerators and down drains.

* Borax cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors. It deodorizes, removes stains and boosts the cleaning power of your detergents.

© Washing soda cleans clothing and softens water. But it is moderately toxic. Wear gloves and use it in well- ventilated areas to avoid irrita- tion of mucous membranes.

* Ammonia, a hardworking liquid, cleans carpets and linoleum, copper and enamel, and most appliances. Am- monia can irritate the skin and the eyes, so wear gloves and use it in a well-ventilated area. Never mix it with chlorine bleach; the mixture creates a poisonous gas.

These ingredients, on their own or in combination, can become your household staples. You can make up economy-sized batches of various cleaners in the strengths you need, and store them in reusable containers. One factor to consider when mixing your formulas is what sewage treatment is like in your area: at the cottage or in municipalities with no sewage treatment, go easy on the am- monia and the bleach.

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER 50 mL baking soda

250 mL ammonia

125 mL white vinegar

4 L warm water

This combination provides a low-cost cleaner for bathroom fixtures, floors, tiles and painted walls. After washing, rinse surfaces with clear water.

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