Homemade Cleaning Solutions

I'm a big fan of sharing neat ideas, especially when it comes to organization, cleaning or kids. I read this on another blog today and just HAD to share this with my fellow blog readers. Just so you know, I do not give myself credit for this blog entry. I stole this from another blog (I'm completely giving her credit). Enjoy!

How to Make Cleaning Solutions
(Courtesy of http://www.myblessedhome.blogspot.com/)

You can do all of your cleaning via homemade, non-toxic cleaning solutions that cost only pennies...

What you need

- a large gallon of white vinegar

- a box of baking soda

- olive oil

- lemon juice

- an empty spray bottle

- water

All-Purpose Cleaning Solution

Fill an empty spray bottle with one half white vinegar, and one half water. Shake the bottle to mix the contents.

This solution is the best stuff I have ever used on windows, mirrors, TV screens, glass, etc. This stuff also cleans surfaces, sinks, and appliances well. If you have bug juice on your vehicle's windshield, this stuff cleans the bug juice off phenomenally well.

Toilet Cleaning

Use full strength vinegar, and use a scotchbrite type of sponge or toilet scrubber. Apply the vinegar to the scrubber or sponge, and scrub the toilet bowl, outside and then inside.

For Thirsty Wood Surfaces

Mix a few drops of lemon juice in with a few tablespoons of olive oil. Dip a clean rag into the mixture, then rub the oil and lemon mixture gently into your wood surface, going with the grain (not against the grain).

For Cleaning Stubborn Stains on Surfaces and in Sinks/Tubs

Mix some water in with some baking soda, to form a paste. Apply the paste to the stained surface/sink/tub, and let it sit for about a half hour. Then use fresh paste and scrub the area.


For Cleaning The Inside of The Oven

Make a paste of baking soda and water, and apply it to the inside of the oven, and to the inside of the oven door. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then spray pure vinegar on top of the baking soda paste, and watch it foam up. Let it foam for a few minutes, then use a scotchbrite sponge and wipe it all down. You'll have a nice clean oven, without using a poisonous oven cleaner.

For Hard Water Stains on Faucets

Put some white vinegar into a baggie, then use a rubber band to attach the vinegar-baggy to the faucet, with the faucet soaking in the vinegar. Let it soak like that for an hour, then come back and scrub it.

For Mopping Floors

Fill your mop bucket up with steaming hot water. Pour in about 1/2 cup of white vinegar. If you have ants, then this will help. When I used to have ants, mopping with commercial cleaners didn't help. When I started mopping with vinegar, the ants rapidly disappeared.

Bleach

I do keep pure bleach around, for various reasons. It is kept in a high place, behind other things - quite out of child reach. First off, my kitchen sink is porcelain, so it does seem to need the occasional bleaching, to remove scuffs left from pots and pans. In case of disaster, if you need water, but the water you have is/may be contaminated, then mix a few drops of pure bleach into the water, and let the water sit for a half hour. This will purify the water, if you are unable to boil it.

The Smell of Vinegar

Yes, when you clean with vinegar, there is quite the smell. The smell does go away as soon as whatever you're cleaning has dried. Your house will not smell like a vinegar salad. Your house should have no smell - just the smell of clean. If the smell of the vinegar bothers you while you use it, then consider picking up some scented oils from the store. Just a drop or two of scented oil in your vinegar spray bottle will make a big difference.