Saturday, April 24, 2010

Homemade household cleaners!

Here is a list of chemical free household cleaners I have found. Hope these help you out!

White vinegar and water
-1 cup white vinegar
-1 cup water
mix in a spray bottle.
Can be used for the following things:
-In the kitchen, use vinegar-and-water spray to clean countertops, lightly soiled range surfaces and backsplash areas
-In the bathroom, use vinegar spray cleaner to clean countertops, floors, and exterior surfaces of the toilet.
-For really tough bathroom surfaces such as shower walls, pump up the cleaning power by removing the sprayer element and heating the solution in the microwave until barely hot. Spray shower walls with the warmed generously, allow to stand for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse. The heat helps soften stubborn soap scum and loosens hard water deposits.
-White vinegar is a natural deodorizer, absorbing odors instead of covering them up. (And no, your bathroom won't smell like a salad! Any vinegar aroma disappears when dry.)
-With no coloring agents, white vinegar won't stain grout on tiled surfaces. Because it cuts detergent residue, white vinegar makes a great fabric softener substitute for families with sensitive skin.

Undiluted White Vinegar
-Undiluted white vinegar--straight from the jug--makes quick work of tougher cleaning problems involving hard water deposits or soap scum.
-Use undiluted white vinegar to scrub the inside of the toilet bowl. Before you begin, dump a bucket of water into the toilet to force water out of the bowl and allow access to the sides. Pour undiluted white vinegar around the bowl and scrub with a toilet brush to remove stains and odor. Use a pumice stone to remove any remaining hard water rings.
-Clean shower heads that have been clogged with mineral deposits with undiluted white vinegar. Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup vinegar in a plastic food storage bag, and secure the bag to the shower head with a rubber band. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then rinse and buff the fixture to a shiny finish.
-Add one cup of undiluted white vinegar to the laundry rinse cycle instead of commercial fabric softener. White vinegar softens clothes and cuts detergent residue-a plus for family members with sensitive skin.

Baking Soda
-Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge to tackle grimy bathtub rings, scour vanities, or remove food deposits from the kitchen sink.
-For tougher grime, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the tub or sink, and allow to stand for 10 to 20 minutes. Dirt, soap scum and deposits soften and are easier to remove.
-Slow-running drains? Keep bathroom drains running freely by pouring 1/2 to 3/4 cup baking soda into the drain, and dribbling just enough hot water to wash the solution down. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then flush thoroughly with hot water. The deodorizing effect is an added bonus! [Do not use this method on blocked drains.]

Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe
-1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
-1 cup water
-1 tablespoon white vinegar
-mix in a spray bottle
-Rubbing alcohol provides the base for an evaporating cleaner to rival commercial window and glass cleaning solutions. Use this glass cleaning spray recipe for windows, mirrors, chrome fixtures and for a shiny finish on hard-surface ceramic tiles

Rug shampoo mix
-1/4 cup mild detergent or soap
-1 pint of warm water
-2 tablespoons vinegar
-Whip into a stiff foam. First, vacuum the rug thoroughly. Apply the foam and scrub. Let dry, then vacuum again.

Air Freshener
-Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors around the house.
-Having houseplants helps reduce odors in the home.
-Prevent cooking odors by simmering vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) on the stove while cooking. To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar and wash in soapy water.
-Keep fresh coffee grounds on the counter.
-Grind up a slice of lemon in the garbage disposal.
-Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove.
-Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers in room

A word of caution on making homemade cleaners: never mix bleach with any type of acid such as ammonia or vinegar. It will cause toxic fumes that are very dangerous.

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