Peroxide for stain-removal
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to easily remove stains from upholstery, carpet, and linens. Just pour a liberal amount over the stain, let sit for a few minutes, and blot up with a rag. And it's gentle so it won't damage most fabrics.
Homemade all-purpose cleaner
Mix one part white vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle. You can use this natural cleanser on just about every hard surface. And vinegar is a natural disinfectant.
Stinky dishwasher?
Don't shell out money for dishwasher cleansing tabs. Just pour a cup of white vinegar into your empty dishwasher and add your detergent as usual and set to wash on the pots and pans(longest) cycle.
Slow or stopped-up drains?
Before you reach for the Drano, try pouring some boiling water down your drain to break up clogs. My mom does this periodically just to keep her drains flowing freely. If you boil the water in a tea kettle it makes it much easier to carry. It's natural, cheap, easy, and effective!
*In a pinch I have actually even used a soda to unclog a drain! Makes you wonder what it does to your insides!*
Freshen your carpet with baking soda
Just liberally sprinkle baking soda all over your carpet and let sit overnight. Then just vacuum up in the morning. It should leave your carpet odor-free.
*This treatment also helps kill fleas and their eggs!*
Use aluminum foil to scour pots
Just take a sheet of aluminum foil and ball it into a tight ball. Now use it as you would an SOS pad to scrub the baked on gunk off your pan. I like to "recycle" the foil I line my pans with for this job. Just remember not to use it on any nonstick pans because it will scratch them.
Stinky sink garbage disposal?
Use a lemon to quell garbage disposal odors. Just turn on the sink disposal and throw in a fresh lemon. It will immediately smell better!
Whiten with baking soda & peroxide
You can whiten pretty much any porous surface with baking soda and peroxide. Just slowly combine the two until you have a paste. Then just apply the paste to a scrub brush or toothbrush and gently scrub the offending surface. I've used this to make old, dingy grout, bright and white again. And it also does a good job of removing rust stains on cultured sinks and stainless steel. You can even use it to safely whiten your teeth!
Rags for mopping & dusting
No more paying for Swiffer pads! Just take a regular old washcloth and attach it as you would to your Swiffer mop. You can even make your own floor cleaning solution by diluting a few spoonfuls of liquid dish soap into a squirt bottle of water. Just squirt and mop!
Whenever socks get "holey" at my house, I put them in a special bin to use for dusting. Just slip the sock over your hand, spray with your favorite dust polish, and wipe away dust. When done just toss it in the trash.
You have some great tips about making your own cleaning solutions. It's a great way to save money. I always find adding a little bit of water to the solution can expand its usage without damaging the effectiveness of the cleaner. I also recommend adding orange peels to your solution of vinegar and water. This will add a nice citrus smell and mask the vinegar smell if you aren't fond of it.
ReplyDeleteGerman Zollinger @ Total Clean Equipment