Green Cleaners

Be sure each cleaner is clearly labeled. Store out of reach of children.

All-purpose cleaner
Mix two tablespoons of mild dishwashing soap and two cups of water in a spray
bottle. Give it a shake and use anywhere you'd typically use a commercial
all-purpose spray like countertops, bathroom surfaces, highchairs and plastic
outdoor furniture.

Glass cleaner
Mix one part white vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle. Use on
mirrors and windows.

Scouring scrub
Mix one cup Borax, one cup baking soda and a quarter cup of salt. Use one
tablespoon as a scrubbing agent in toilets, tubs and sinks. I use it to make bathroom
surfaces gleaming white.

Newspaper
Reuse as mirror and window wipes. It's a good lint-free alternative to
cloth or paper towels.

Old toothbrush
An old toothbrush sanitized in boiling water cleans small crevices. I keep one in my
cleaning caddie.

The cloth system
Replace paper towels with microfiber cleaning cloths, or rags recycled from old
towels and clothes. Rid cleaning cloths of bacteria by using the sanitize cycle on
your washer. The Steam Sanitize cycle on some Kenmore Elite® HE washers elimi-
nates 99 percent of certain bacteria.

If you use several cleaning cloths, try a color-coded system. I use pink cloths as baby
wipes and yellow cloths for general housecleaning.

Natural fabric softener
Replace liquid fabric softener with white vinegar. A quarter cup in your washer
dispenser is a natural way to soften fabrics, and it won't give off a vinegary smell.

Back to top

Small Steps To Help Green Your Home

• Clean or change your HVAC filters. A dirty filter makes your system work harder
  and use more energy. Read Kenmore expert Tom DeSalvo's article on appliance
  maintenance.
• It's a good idea to have your HVAC unit serviced annually for efficient operation.
  This isn't something I want to tackle myself, so let the pros at Sears Home Services
  take care of it for me.
• Clean your dryer's vented air duct for efficient operation.
• Check the temperature on your water heater. To save money and energy, set it
  between 115 and 120 degrees.
• Turn your thermostat down at night and when you're not home. Even a one-degree
  decrease can make a difference on your energy bill and for the environment.
• Make sure windows and doors are properly sealed. If not, fill in edges with caulk to
  prevent air from seeping in or out.
• Recycle what you're tossing out. This means putting glass, plastics and paper in
  the recycle bins, as well as giving away or gifting clothing, furniture and
  other items that someone may find useful.

Back to top

Kitchen Cleanup 101

Stovetop
Soak removable pieces like grates and knobs in a sink full of warm water and dish
soap. If they're dishwasher safe, go ahead and run them through the dishwasher. I
typically clean the stove on Saturday nights and use the oven or slow cooker for
meals.

Oven
If your oven has a self-clean option, use it. Once the oven has cooled, run a damp
rag over the interior to clean out the ashes. Self-cleaning your oven during the
winter can help warm your house, but during warmer seasons, be sure to do so on
cooler days.

Don't like the odors and smoke of the self-cleaning option? The exclusive Kenmore
AirGuard™ feature virtually eliminates them. And you can turn the AirGuard off
when you're baking cookies so that the pleasant aroma fills your home!

Refrigerator
Fill a dish tub with warm water, a spoonful of baking soda and a splash of lemon
juice. Soak removable surfaces and drawers in the tub, or wipe down surfaces using
a cloth soaked in the cleaning mixture. Transport and store condiment bottles on
cookie sheets while you wipe down surfaces.

Want to keep your refrigerator cleaner between cleanings? Select Kenmore models
come standard with Microban® Antimicrobial Protection-infused crisper bins.
Microban technology provides continuous protection from odor and stain-causing
bacteria.

Dishwasher
To quickly freshen your dishwasher, pour a stick or pouch of sugar-free citrus drink
mix into the detergent compartment when your dishwasher is empty and then run
the rinse cycle. You can also make a mild paste out of baking soda and water to
remove food spots from the dishwasher door and walls.

Save time and money without pre-rinsing or scrubbing thanks to Kenmore
dishwashers with TurboZone™ rotating spray jets. To serve up clean dishes, load
dishes facing the water source and separate silverware so spoons and forks don't
bunch up.

Microwave
Fill a bowl with water and add one tablespoon of lemon juice; then cook in the
microwave for two minutes. Let the bowl sit and steam for five more minutes. The
steam loosens caked-on gunk while the lemon juice freshens the microwave. Now,
cleaning the interior with a damp cloth is a breeze.

Toys
Here's how I keep my kids' playtime clean and healthy:

• Periodically wipe toys and play surfaces with a microfiber cloth and an all-purpose
  cleaning spray. Try the green, homemade all-purpose cleaning spray mentioned at
  the beginning of this article.
• Be sure to wipe surfaces after playgroups and when kids have been sick.
• Load dishwasher-safe toys on the top rack and wash on a mild cycle. Avoid using
  detergents with bleach because they can cause toys to fade.
• Organize, group and reassemble toys while your kids sleep. I take this time to
  check and replace batteries this makes toys seem like new.
• Have a 15-minute family cleanup session in the evenings. In my house, we set a
  timer, put on some upbeat music and work together.

Back to top

Our team wants to hear from you!

Do you have a question for our make-it-simple team or tips and ideas to share? Send them to
KenmoreBrand@searshc.com. Each month, our experts will respond to select questions and we'll
post select user tips and ideas. If we respond to your question or post your tip, you may receive a
$10 Sears gift card. Send yours today!