Save money and your life with home cleansers you can make.
Commercial cleaning materials will tell you to “Keep out of reach of children” and give you out warnings like “Can cause severe burns on contact” or “Avoid direct inhalation.” And with curious kids exploring the house, such reminders about home aids with chemicals should be taken seriously because there are lots of accidents happen nowadays about unattended children got poisoned because of drinking disinfectants, fabric softener, pesticides’ and all that lead some to death.
Good old homemade cleaning recipes are safer and, often more effective than chemical cleaning aids. With a play of proportions, ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, salt, and lemon calamansi can remove stains from your furniture, floor, glass, and even your toilet bowls.
Here are the recipes for a clean and safe home:
FOR THE LIVING ROOM
Upholstery, rug and carpet- Mix 1 quart warm water, 1tsp. mild liquid soap, 1 tsp. borax, and a squeeze of lemon or a splash of vinegar. Apply with a damp cloth or sponge and rub gently. Wipe with a clean cloth and allow to dry.
For vinyl floors- 1/4 cup borax, or 1/2 cup white vinegar with 1 gallon warm water. Apply with a mop to remove, dull, greasy film.
For brass and copper: use lemon juice and salt paste. For silver: (1) soak silver about 5 minutes in 1 quart warm water containing 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt, and a piece of aluminum foil. (2) Rub with toothpaste or baking soda and a soft cloth. Rinse and polish dry.
For chrome: (1) Wipe with apple cider vinegar, rinse with water then dry. (2) Shine chrome fixtures with baby oil and a soft cloth, a piece of aluminum foil (shiny side out) or newspaper. (Don’t forget to wear gloves.)
For Glass- Combine 1 quart water with 1/4 to 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 to 2 tbsps. lemon juice or 1 to 2 tbsps. Rubbing alcohol. Spray on surface or wipe clean with soft lint-free cloth.
FOR THE KITCHEN
Sink disposal odour- grind used lemon in the disposal.
Surface cleaners- Mix 1 quart warm water, 1tsp. mild liquid dishwashing soap, 1 tsp. borax, and a squeeze of lemon or splash of vinegar.
Oven cleaner- Mix 2 tbsps. Liquid soap, 2 tsps. Borax and 1 quart of warm water. Leave on oven for 20 minutes then scrub with a non-chlorinated scouring powder.
Cockroach killer- Mix 1 cup borax, 1/2 cup ground oats, 1/2 cup white sugar, and 1/2 cup flour. Place in strategic spots in the kitchen.
FOR THE BATHROOM
Drain declogger- Use a plunger followed by a handful of baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar. Cover drain and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with 2 quarts boiling water.
Mildew cleaner- To clean mildew from a shower curtain: Machine-wash with 1/2 cup soap and baking soda. Add 1 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Toilet bowl cleaner- Scrub with the solution of 1/2 cup borax in 1 cup warm water for cleaning and disinfecting.
Tub/tile cleaner- To clean grout: Combine 3 cups of baking soda and 1 cup warm water and scrub into the grout. Rinse well with water.
Fabric softener- For fresher, softer clothes: Add 1 cup vinegar or 1/4 cup baking soda during the final rinse.