Home-made Cleaning Solutions

Home-made Cleaning Solutions

The average television viewer is well educated on the scientific elimination of 99.99% germs, thanks to the umpteen advertisements of differently colored, slickly packaged cleaning solutions. There is almost always a medical practitioner extolling the virtues of the liquid that is purportedly the best in the market.

There is an easier way to keep your living spaces spic and span and microbe-free. Expensive detergents need not be bought. There are simple, natural ingredients used in homes for everyday purposes that can be effective in tackling dirt and maintaining high levels of hygiene.

Here’s a look at these innocuous cleansing agents:

• Vinegar: Acetic acid or vinegar that is a part of cooking many dishes, is also a wonderful cleaning agent. It can remove stains, clean hard water deposits, soap scum and also helps get rid of mold and mildew. A few concoctions using vinegar to clean are:
  1. Glass cleaner: Mix a cup of water and a cup of rubbing alcohol with 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Use the solution to keep your glass sparkling clean.
  2. Floor cleaners: For vinyl flooring, mix 1 cup white vinegar in a gallon of water and for wood flooring, add 1/2 cup white vinegar in a gallon of water. Use the solution to maintain clean floors.
  3. Furniture polish: Add a quarter of white vinegar to three quarters of olive oil and add 30 drops essential oil for fragrance and you have the best furniture polish.

• Baking soda: This multi-purpose chemical is economical and non-toxic. There are numerous mixtures that can be used for myriad cleaning purposes.
  1. To clean silver, use a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Rub the paste onto each item, then wash with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
  2. Unpleasant odors can be banished from various places such as carpets, refrigerators, laundry baskets and even pets. For cleaning pets and reducing that ‘wet dog’ odor, sprinkle your canines with baking soda and brush out their fur.
  3. To remove stubborn stains from most surfaces, use a baking soda paste (three parts baking soda, one part water). Apply, let stand, then scrub or wipe clean.
  4. Clean your hairbrushes and combs in a baking soda solution.
  5. Avoid clogged drains by pouring a quarter cup baking soda and rinsing through with hot water on a weekly basis.
  6. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets at least fifteen minutes before vacuuming to eliminate odors.
  7. A paste made of baking soda and vinegar can remove stains from carpets and upholstery.

• Rubbing alcohol: This ingredient from your first-aid kit can be transformed into a valuable cleaning agent. Rubbing alcohol works wonders on stains, even those caused by permanent markers. Stainless steel appliances around the house can be wiped clean of water spots and fingerprints while grime on surfaces of gadgets such as cell phones and keyboards can disappear with a touch of rubbing alcohol. Car windows can be rid of frost by using a solution of one part rubbing alcohol mixed with eight parts water.

• Lemon juice: The lowly citrus fruit is also an indispensable part of cleaning routines. The juice of lemons can clean stains, get rid of odors (think fridge, microwave ovens, hands) and helps in polishing copper, brass and chrome faucets. Lemon juice can be used to scrub grout and is also very useful in cleaning dishes.

• Shampoo: This is not just hair care product but a valuable tool in getting rid of grease, soap scum and laundry stains.

• Oils: Essential oils such as tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, etc not only keep surfaces clean but leave a heavenly smell that makes your kitchen fresh and inviting.So, ditch the expensive bottles, make your own blends and reuse spray bottles to keep your home spotless and sterile.