Make your own cleaning products for your classroom and help keep our waterways healthy.

Many of the cleaning products used in schools, homes, and local businesses are full of toxic chemicals and are not 'readily biodegradable'. These chemicals are bad for our waterways as they help feed algae which steals oxygen from our marine life. To help keep our waterways healthy ask your teacher to help you make your own cleaning products for your classroom. They are easy and cheap to make.

Ingredients:
White vinegar
Baking Soda
Borax (Buy at Bunnings)
Liquid Soap
Two spray bottles

All-Purpose Cleaner:
Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 2 liters water. Store and keep. Use this to clean bench tops, desks, and boards etc.

Dish-washing Soap:
A detergent substitution is to use liquid soap. Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of vinegar to the warm, soapy water for tough jobs.

Window Cleaner:
Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 litre of warm water. Use newspaper or paper towel to clean. Don't clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying. Be sure to follow the recipe, because using too strong a solution of vinegar will etch the glass and eventually cloud it.

Important: Once you have finished making your home made cleaning products don't forget to label what is in the bottle.  To make your finished product look more professional try designing your own label using your computer.  Ask your teacher for help.

Suggestion:-
Paint Brush Cleaner:
Non-toxic, citrus oil based solvents are now available commercially under several brand names. Citra-Solve is one brand. This works well for cleaning brushes of oil-based paints. Paint brushes and rollers used for an on-going project can be saved overnight, or even up to a week, without cleaning at all. Simply wrap the brush or roller snugly in a plastic bag, such as a used bread or produce bag. Squeeze out air pockets and store away from light. The paint won't dry because air can't get to it. Simply unwrap the brush or roller the next day and continue with the job. Fresh paint odors can be reduced by placing a small dish of white vinegar in the room.

For more great recipes like the ones above go to the following web site:

http://www.norwexclean.com.au/homemade-non-toxic-cleaning-recipes