The secret to a cleaner house that will not cost you a fortune might be hiding in the corners of your pantry. Common household ingredients for cooking like vinegar and baking soda can clean your house even better than the cleaners you can buy in groceries.
Try these DIY suggestions, and you might find yourself at awe with how effective these affordable alternatives can be. Before we start, here’s an important tip: do not combine chlorine-containing products with ammonia-based cleaners because it will cause a chemical reaction that will create hazardous fumes. Always label your DIY cleaners containing all the ingredients inside. It’s critical to know the mixture in case any accidents happen.
Scented All-Purpose Cleaner
Ingredients:
- Lemon rind
- Rosemary sprigs
- One part white vinegar
- One part water
Pour all the ingredients together inside a spray bottle, shake to combine and leave it to infuse for a week before using. This solution can remove water strains, wall smudges, clean trash cans, and the list goes on. The lemon’s acidity will add extra cleaning strength that can remove even the most stubborn stains.
Kitchen Cleaner and Deodorizer
Ingredients:
- Four tablespoons baking soda
- 1-quart warm water
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Pour the solution on a clean sponge and wipe kitchen counters, appliances and the insides of your refrigerator. Baking soda works great as a deodorizer that can also shine stainless steel appliances and sinks.
Glass Cleaner
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of water
- 1/2 cup white or cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol 70% concentration
- 1 to 2 drops of orange essential oil for smell (optional)
Pour all ingredients inside a spray bottle. Spray the solution on a paper towel or cloth first and wipe to clean your windows. Don’t clean windows under a hot sunny day to avoid the mixture to dry too fast and make unaesthetic streaks across the see-through glass.
Brass Cleaner
Ingredients:
- Table Salt
- Lemon Juice or White vinegar
Dampen a sponged using lemon juice or white vinegar with some salt sprinkled on top as you lightly rub the surface of non-lacquered cabinet pulls. Thoroughly rinse with water and dry with a clean, soft-cloth immediately.
Heavy-Duty Scrub
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup borax powder
- 1/2 lemon
Dip the sliced lemon into the borax powder and scrub the surface to remove rust stains on enamel or porcelain sinks and tubs. Do not use this for granite or marble.
Grease Cleaner
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Sudsy Ammonia
- 1/2 cup Water
Pour the ingredients to fill a one-gallon container. Dip a sponge into the solution and wipe it over the surface of stove hoods, oven racks, and grills before rinsing with clear water. You can also soak these on the mixture and leave overnight with an option to add extra ammonia for that extra kick.
Water Ring Remover
Ingredients:
- One part baking soda
- One part white non-gel toothpaste
Wet a cloth with water, add the toothpaste solution then rub it with the grain to buff the water rings. Take a dry cloth to wipe it off and use a different one to polish as you usually would. You can’t use this solution on unfinished wood, antiques or lacquered ones.
Last-Resort Clothing Stain Remover
Ingredients:
- 1-gallon hot water
- 1 cup regular liquid chlorine bleach, not ultra or concentrate
- 1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent
Soak any badly stained washable white cloth over the mixture in a plastic, enamel or stainless steel bowl for 15-20 minutes or until stain completely disappears. Wash the item as usual.