As a follow-up to my last post, I thought I’d post some recipes for homemade cleaners.  In my own experience these methods do work and will keep your home clean.  The ingredients used are easy to get and very inexpensive.  One thing – washing soda is not the same thing as baking soda.  Washing soda can usually be found in the same aisle as laundry detergents.

White Vinegar

To clean a toilet - Pour it full strength into a toilet bowl and scrub with a toilet brush.

As fabric softener – Add one cup to the rinse cycle in your washing machine.  I’ve used this method for years in favor of commercial fabric softeners that irritate our sons’ eczema.

To clean windows – Mix one cup of water and one cup of vinegar in a spray bottle.  Use to clean windows and mirrors.  This can also be used as an all-purpose spray cleaner

Baking Soda

As a mild, abrasive cleaner – sprinkle into sinks, tubs, toilet bowls and scour with a damp sponge.  For really grimy jobs, you can make a paste out of the baking soda with water, apply it and let it sit for about 20 minutes before scouring.  Another method suggests using half a lemon to scrub instead of a sponge.  The lemon cleans very well, and smells wonderful!

As a drain cleaner – For slow running drains, pour baking soda down the drain and dribble just enough vinegar on top to flush it down.  Let sit for several hours before flushing it with very hot water.

To deodorize carpets – sprinkle lightly over carpet.  Let stand for 20 minutes or longer before vacuuming.

Furniture Polish

Combine 1 cup of olive oil and 1/2 cup of olive oil in a spray bottle.  Shake thoroughly.  Apply to furniture and use a clean, dry, soft cloth to spread and buff.

All-Purpose Disinfectant Spray

Combine 2 tbsp. borax, 1/4 lemon juice and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle.  Use as you would any spray cleaner.

Mildew Remover

Dissolve 1/2 cups vinegar and 1/2 cups borax in warm water.  Use to remove mildew.

Dishwasher Rinse

Add white vinegar to the rinse compartment in your dishwasher.  Wash dishes as usual.

Floor Cleaners

Use a pencil eraser to remove marks on the floor.

For no-wax floors, combine:

1 cup vinegar

1/4 cup washing soda

1 tbsp. good, biodegradable, dish soap

2 gallons hot water

Combine all ingredients in a bucket and stir thoroughly until the soda dissolves.  Mop floors as usual.

Cleaning silver

Use toothpaste and an old, soft toothbrush to brighten your silver instead of silver polish.  Rinse well with warm water.

One more thing to remember is that so many little spills and grimy surfaces can be cleaned with good old soap and water.  You don’t need harsh chemicals and commercial products to keep your home sparkling.  A few simple ingredients, a little elbow grease, and you’ll enjoy a clean, environmentally friendly home.