Barry Clifford: Want To Stay Green And Clean?

The domestic and indeed the commercial kitchen does more damage to the environment collectively than almost any other. What trickles from the home and into our sewers on it’s way to the ocean is a pollution tsunami on a daily basics, and almost all of it coming from toxic domestic cleaning agents. But if one is serious about doing their bit in trying to help within the confines of their home and surroundings, doing it differently is being aware of the alternatives.

The bananas skin inside layer is good for cleaning leather, and Cola, that contains acid, is great for cleaning toilets. Like any detergent, just let it sit for about 60 minutes and it will do your dirty work.

Mayonnaise is great for removing marks off wood. Leave it on the marks for a little while then remove with a clean cloth. Tomato ketchup works very well on brass and silver, and like any cleaning agent, rub it in and leave awhile then clean it off.

Brazil nuts is a good scratch remover by cutting it in half and sanding over the affected area. Soon, it will smooth down and the scratches will be gone.

Grapefruit a limescale remover: using the same method of cutting it in half and then sprinkling it with salt. Scrub the affected area and rinse with water and it will vanish.

For odour remover in the fridge: Place ground coffee into a small plastic tub with holes in the lid.  After a short while the odour will be gone.

A cautionary note: One time I was given an old penny found on a building site in Dublin. The markings looked faded and I could not even make out the date. So I got the penny and put it into a bowl that had a mixture of coca cola and red sauce in it. I stirred it around in there for about ten to fifteen minutes. When I took out the old penny it looked almost new and I could clearly see the date: 1668. It also had the shape of a harp with a crown on top stamped on it’s face, clearly symbolizing British rule over Ireland.

Afterwards, I thought then and now, that if these two popular items made for human consumption can do that to an old penny, what is it doing to our internal organs over time. These two items for cleaning agents, yes, but for internal consumption for me is a resounding NO.

Barry Clifford