The Cleaning Powers Of Salt

Salt is another eco-cleaner we use often around our house. Salt is a good cleaner because it is an abrasive and dissolves easily into water. Salt dissolved into a solution creates an electrolyte. Electrolytes have the ability to transmit electricity. This property of electrolytes can boost the cleaning power of solutions, making chemical reactions possible. Our homemade silver cleaning tip uses these properties to transfer the tarnish on silver to the aluminum foil.

Salt can be used to clean carpets, cast iron, egg spills, grease, laundry stains, soot, stainless steel sinks, and wine stains.

Borax, The Wonder Cleaner For Over a Hundred Years

Borax, also known as sodium borate and sodium tetraborate, is one of the great cleaners that has been passed down for generations. It was discovered in 1872 and didn't take long until it's powers as a cleaner were unleashed. It works as an oxidizer, and when dissolved in water will create an alkaline antiseptic solution that is a disinfectant, detergent, deodorizer and water softener. It also has lots of commercial uses in the manufacture of many products.

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral, but is toxic. You should always wear gloves when working with it as it absorbed through the skin and takes a long time to work its way out of your system. Keep it away from children, and no matter what you read on the Internet, never bath your pet in it. I have listed it here during eco-cleaning week because it is a natural salt, but it still is dangerous and must be handled carefully.

Borax is good at cleaning tubs, carpet stains, sinks, and mildew. It works great as a laundry booster and is an ingredient of many brands. For laundry it works especially well on curry, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, vomit, and red wine stains. It also works as a deodorizer for carpets and cloths. I use it most often to remove the rings in my toilets.