Back to basics for kitchen and bath

You want to clean with a clear conscience. You’ve bought the basics. Now it’s time to mix. Here are a few recipes taken from a booklet called Clean & Green, published by the city of Montreal in 2004, that will make your bathroom sparkle. Sink To make a soft scrub, mix 60 ml baking soda, 30 ml borax and 30 ml washing soda, then add enough liquid soap to make a creamy paste. Keep in a squirt bottle. Rinse with clear water and wipe with soft cloth. Towels Use a phosphate-free detergent with 60 ml borax and 60 ml washing soda. This combo deodorizes, disinfects and whitens. Add 125 ml vinegar to rinse cycle for softness. Shower

Mix 2 ml washing soda, 5 ml borax, 2 ml liquid soap and 45 ml vinegar with 500 ml of very hot water. Use a spray bottle. Rinse with vinegar and water. Polish with soft cloth.

Add 125 ml borax to the warmwater wash cycle in the washing machine to clean the plastic shower curtain.

Dissolve scaly buildup on the shower head with 80 ml vinegar and 80 ml of hot water. Scrub with an old toothbrush or sponge.

Polish the chrome with baking soda on an old toothbrush. Rinse with vinegar and hot water.

To unclog a drain, pour 60 ml baking soda followed by 60 ml vinegar. Let sit for 15 minutes, then pour in a kettle-full of boiling water. Floor Mix 30 ml baking soda, 30 ml washing soda, 125 ml vinegar and 15 ml liquid soap with 4 litres of hot water. Scrub floor with a brush. Rinse with clean water on a soft cloth. The mixture cleans, deodorizes and disinfects around the toilet as well. When you’re done, pour the liquid in the toilet. Leave it to soak a few minutes, then scrub and flush. Toilet: Take your pick.

Pour 250 ml of borax into the toilet. Leave overnight and brush and flush the next morning.

Pour 125 ml baking soda and 125 ml of vinegar into the bowl. The chemical reaction cleans and deodorizes. Brush and flush.

To clean in and around the bowl, mix 60ml borax and 30ml of vinegar with 500 ml of hot water. Spray in and around toilet area to kill germs.

PHOTOS: MARIE -FRANCE COALLIER THE GAZETTE To make your own powder cleaner for sink and bathroom fixtures: combine 60 ml of borax and 250 ml of baking soda in a shaker jar. Sprinkle as needed, rinse with clear water and wipe with a cotton cloth.

To clean mirror and glass: combine 500 ml of hot water, 2 ml of liquid soap, 45 ml of vinegar in a spray bottle. Then use a 100-per-cent cotton cloth to clean and polish.