Simple Recipes for Homemade Cleaning Products*
Everyone wants to live in a clean, healthy home environment, but cleaning our homes with products that contain strong chemicals may actually be compromising our health. Some of the products that seem to clean our homes the most effectively often contain some pretty powerful chemicals. Some of these ingredients can be harsh on our bodies and our health. Many can irritate our skin, eyes, throat, or lungs. Some may cause dizziness, headaches, allergic reactions, or even lead to respiratory problems.
It‘s important to think about what you are using to clean your home. It’s also important to think about how you go about cleaning your home. Most cleaning products should be used only in a well ventilated environment – never in small, enclosed spaces. When cleaning with a product that contains strong chemicals, it’s wise to do so with windows and doors open to keep fresh air circulating.
It is possible to clean your home without using harsh chemicals or irritants. In fact, you can make your own non-toxic cleaning solutions that are surprisingly efficient with some very basic ingredients you probably have close at hand in your kitchen cabinets or pantry.
You may be interested in trying some of the following recipes for homemade cleaners.
Some homemade cleaning solutions you may want to try…*
- Clean windows and mirrors. Combine 2 cups of water, ½ cup of white vinegar, and ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Shake before using. Solution dries quickly once sprayed so wipe immediately.
- Polish silver. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of salt in one quart of warm water. Drop in a piece of aluminum foil. (Yes, aluminum foil) Then add your silver. Soak for at least 15 minutes. You can also clean silver without soaking by using a paste of 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of water. Rub the mixture on the silver with a clean cloth, rinse, and dry.
- Clean brass. Dampen a sponge with a little white vinegar and sprinkle with salt. Rub lightly over the brass item. Rinse well with water. Use a soft, clean cloth to dry. Do not leave brass items wet. Always dry well.
- Polish wood furniture. Combine ½ cup of lemon juice with ¾ cup of olive oil. Mix well. Apply to furniture using a soft, clean cloth. Let stand for a couple minutes. Then buff to a shine.
- Clean mineral deposits from shower head. Pour ½ cup of vinegar into a sturdy plastic food storage bag. Use a rubber band to secure the bag over your shower head. Leave the bag in place for a couple hours or longer (even overnight). Rinse the fixture with warm water. Then buff until it shines.
- Unclog slow running drains. Pour 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of salt directly into clogged drain. Follow with ½ cup of vinegar. Let sit for about 10 minutes. Carefully pour in boiling water (at least two cups or more) down the drain. Allow warm water from tap to run until drain clears. Use a plunger if drain is still sluggish.
- Clean and deodorize counters and appliances. Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water. Wet a sponge with the solution and wipe on surfaces. Wipe again with water only.
- Remove hard water stains from your bathtub or sink. Soak a clean cloth with vinegar and place it on the stain. Leave for a few hours. Make a paste out of baking soda and water. Remove cloth and scrub area with the paste. Spray with some vinegar that has been diluted with water. Then rinse with warm water.
- Clean tile and grout. Fill a container with 7 cups of warm water. Then add ½ cup of baking soda, 1/3 cup of household ammonia (use with caution), and ¼ cup of white vinegar. Mix well. Transfer mixture to a spray bottle. Spray directly on to tile and grout. Clean with a damp sponge or scrub brush. Make sure NOT to use with bleach products.
*Seasoned Times does not guarantee the efficiency of these cleaning solutions. Try the suggestion first in an inconspicuous spot. Please use safely. Do not ingest. Avoid contact with eyes. Watch out for allergic reactions. As with any cleaning product, always seek medical attention if your health appears to be compromised.
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