Let’s get this straight right off the bat, I am not a fan of house cleaning, but it is one of those things that has to be done since I really like a clean home! So I am always on the lookout for ways to do it more efficiently and to save on the cost of supplies.
I stumbled on this article recently that talked about making your own cleaning supplies, and I was intrigued. The article talked about how some people are sensitive to ingredients in commercial products, others dislike having toxic chemicals around the house, and still other people are cost conscience. Whatever the reason I did find these recipes worth sharing.
All-Purpose Cleaner
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Mix ½ cup vinegar and a ¼ cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons of Borax) into ½ gallon of water.
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Window Cleaner
Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 quart warm water. Use crumpled newspaper to clean windows. (only use the black ink sections)
Wood Furniture Polish
Mix 2 parts of olive oil to 1 part lemon juice. Use sparingly and polish well with a soft cloth.
Scouring Powder
Use salt or baking soda sprinkle on a wet sponge. Scrub and rinse well.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl and add a little white vinegar. Scrub with a toilet bowl brush.
Bleach
½ cup hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 7 cups of water. Mix together and store. Best used within one month.
Air Freshener
A simple recipe of 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice, and 2 cups of hot water in a spray bottle can be spritzed in the air to remove odors.
One of my all-time favorite “cleaning” hints is to add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to a cup of water, put it in the microwave and bring a rolling boil. This accomplishes two things, one it loosens any splatters in the microwave and makes it easy to clean! And if you leave the door open or set the water mixture on the counter it adds a fresh (and yummy) smell to your kitchen.
Do you have a favorite cleaning tip? I would love to hear it!
Happy Cleaning,
Carol Murphy
Keller Williams Greater Cleveland West ~ Carol Murphy Team