There are two ways to remove adhesives which won’t come off with plain (hot) water -

#1 - Rub oil (like olive oil) into the adhesive and let it sit for a while. Scrape off and wash with soap and water.

#2 - Rub the adhesive with Citrasolv (full strength) and scrape off; wash with soap and water.

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The toilet is perhaps one of the hardest areas in the home to clean in an environmentally friendly fashion. Commodes are prone to all sorts of nasties - stains, germs, odors - ick!

There are two basic areas of a toilet that must be cleaned: inside the bowl, and everywhere else.

To clean inside the bowl, I recommend that you mix equal amounts of borax and baking soda in a large-holed shaker bottle (the sort you’d put grated parmesan in works well). You can add a few drops of tea tree oil if you like, just mix well. Use a mop-style toilet scrubber. These can be hard to find - check janitorial supply houses or Fuller Brush. This type of scrubber looks like a big, full pompom on a stick. Use this mop to force the water out of the commode (simply insert it into the hole at the bottom and work it in and out a few times - the toilet will “flush” with no water. Use the wet mop to coat all inside surfaces, then sprinkle the borax/baking soda all over. Use the mop to scrub all areas, then flush. If necessary, use the mop again to get any remaining powder off into the water.

To clean outside the bowl, use either All-Purpose Cleaner #1 or Citrasolv solution. Spray, leave for a few minutes, then wipe.

As far as I know, from knowledge of the chemicals and using them myself for nearly 5 years on a septic system, these chemicals are all safe for use with septic systems.

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There are several ways to clean your windows, mirrors, and other glass in an environmentally friendly way.

Solution # 1 - Vinegar Solution

Add 1/8 to 1/4 cup of vinegar to a large spray bottle, and fill the rest of the way with hot water. Shake. Spray on windows and wipe. Old newspapers work well.

Solution #2 - Citrasolv

Add 1-2 tablespoons of Citrasolv to a spray bottle and fill with water. Spray on windows and wipe. (Citrasolv is a natural cleaner made from citrus, it can be found in many health food stores)

Solution # 3 - Microfiber Cloth

I’ve seen two types of cloth marketed as “Microfiber”. The first looks rather like a washcloth. It may work on windows, but I’ve never tried it (if anyone has experience please comment!). The second looks and feels like a very stiff, dried out, thick diaper wipe. This is the kind that I wash windows with. Simply get it wet, wring it out, and rub on your windows. It works beautifully - even on dog slobber! What’s best is that there are NO chemicals. These cloths can be used on any glass safely.

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