Rubbing alcohol on cloths will disinfect most surfaces and costs much less than Mr. Clean wipes.- You can clean windows with vinegar in a spray bottle, then wipe clear with a dry newspaper.
- Clean bottoms of iodized copper pots with sprinkled on salt and ½ a lemon. This also works on rust stains.
- A solution of 2 teaspoons Tea Tree oil mixed with 2 cups water in a spray bottle, sprayed on and left, will eliminate mold spots in your shower for a month or so. Straight vinegar will do the same, most of the time.
- Rust and hard water stains can be removed with full-strength lemon juice.
- ½ tsp olive oil and ¼ c. lemon juice makes furniture polish.
- For your morning coffee – use either unbleached filters or a ‘gold’ filter, which is a mesh material that you reuse every time.
- Compost those food scraps – in a 3’x3’x3′ homemade composter or an Earth Machine.
- Disinfecting those countertops – use white-distilled bleach and hydrogen peroxide. They must be kept separate. Have vinegar in one spay bottle and peroxide in another (it must be in a dark container, easy solution put a sprayer on the bottle it came in). Spray area to disinfect one after another and wipe dry. This has been known to work better than commercial counterparts.
- Keep in touch with natural rhythms – especially when meal planning. Keep in mind the seasons and what is currently available when making those weekly menus. Think about food storage and planning for later, especially when considering what do do with those leftovers. Freeze what you don’t expect to use in a few days for a quick, easy meal in a few weeks.
Journey Home: Reflections from 10,000 Feet
As I sit on the plane, surrounded by the hum of the engine and the chill of the window, I can’t help but notice the person in front of me repeatedly adjusting their seat, each movement a grating assault on my laptop screen. The journey back to Portland, high above the clouds, prompts reflections on the comforts of home and the complexities of travel.
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