I'm moving soon so that means cleaning - a lot of cleaning. Ugh. I hate cleaning with harmful chemicals like ammonia and bleach, so I wanted to find something that will make my home sparkle without making me and my pets sick. I found this great website, eartheasy.com, that is just packed with various home cleaning concoctions. Here are some of the ideas I found most useful:
- All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.
- Air Freshener: Commercial air fresheners mask smells and coat nasal passages to diminish the sense of smell.
- Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors around the house.
- Having houseplants helps reduce odors in the home.
- Prevent cooking odors by simmering vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) on the stove while cooking. To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar and wash in soapy water.
- Keep fresh coffee grounds on the counter.
- Grind up a slice of lemon in the garbage disposal.
- Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove.
- Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers in room.
- Deodorize:
- Plastic food storage containers - soak overnight in warm water and baking soda
- In-sink garbage disposal units - grind up lemon or orange peel in the unit
- Carpets - sprinkle baking soda several hours before vacuuming
- Garage, basements - set a sliced onion on a plate in center of room for 12 - 24 hours
- Disinfectant: Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 cups hot water. For stronger cleaning power add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use non-aerosol spray bottle. (This is not an antibacterial formula. The average kitchen or bathroom does not require antibacterial cleaners.)
- To disinfect kitchen sponges, put them in the dishwasher when running a load.
- Floor Cleaner and Polish:
- Vinyl and linoleum: mix 1 cup vinegar and a few drops of baby oil in 1 gallon warm water. For tough jobs, add 1/4 cup borox. Use sparingly on lineoleum.
- Wood: apply a thin coat of 1:1 vegetable oil and vinegar and rub in well.
- Painted wood: mix 1 teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon (4L) hot water.
- Brick and stone tiles: mix 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon (4L) water; rinse with clear water.
- Oven Cleaner: Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Use 3/4cup baking soda, 1/4cup salt and 1/4cup water to make a thick paste, and spread throughout oven interior. (avoid bare metal and any openings) Let sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots. Or use Arm & Hammer Oven Cleaner, declared nontoxic by Consumers Union.
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work.
- Tub and Tile Cleaner: For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.)
- Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter (qt) warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Don't clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying. The All-Purpose Cleaner (above) also works well on windows. Be sure to follow the recipe, because using too strong a solution of vinegar will etch the glass and eventually cloud it.
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