Homemade cleaning products can be made easily with ingredients from your pantry. Household items like baking soda and white vinegar are much cheaper to use and are gentler on the environment.
Diluted White Vinegar: White vinegar is strong enough to dissolve dirt, scum and mineral deposits from household surfaces, and gentle enough to clean hardwood floors without causing damage. The mildly acidic solution naturally absorbs odors, rather than just masking them. Dilute white vinegar with water to removes grout from tile, as a fabric softener, or to clean floors, countertops and toilets. For stubborn grime, like on shower walls, first heat the solution until barely hot, spray onto the soiled surface and allow it to sit for up 15 minutes, scrub and rinse with clean water.
Undiluted White Vinegar: For tougher jobs, such as soap scum or hard water stains, use white vinegar straight up. Undiluted white vinegar can be used to eliminate deposits inside the toilet bowl. First, pour a whole bucket of water into the toilet to push water out of the bowl. Pour the cleaning solution all over the bowl and use a toilet brush to remove deposits and stains.
Clean clogged showerheads with undiluted white vinegar and use it instead of commercial fabric softener to reduce detergent residue in the wash for softer clothes.
Lemon Juice: For all-purpose cleaning and deodorizing, try lemon juice. It works well as a polish for porcelain and ceramic surfaces. Place a rind down a garbage disposal and run the unit with cool water flowing down the drain. The lemon will clean the unit and sharpen the blades.
Baking Soda: Mildly abrasive and deodorizing baking soda is an effective replacement for over-the-counter scouring cleaning products. Sprinkle the powder onto a damp sponge to remove food deposits on kitchen surfaces and grime inside the tub and toilet.
Make a mixture of baking soda and water to tackle tough cleaning projects. Apply the paste to the sink or tub and allow to penetrate for 10 to 20 minutes until the deposits are broken down enough to be removed.
Keep drains running clear and smelling clean by pouring a half cup of baking soda down the drain, and running drips of hot tap water push the powder down. Let stand for at least two hours or overnight, then run hot water to flush. Do not use this solution on blocked drains.
Rubbing Alcohol: Alcohol is the base for many commercial cleaning solutions. Use this evaporating homemade cleaning product on mirrors, chrome, windows and ceramic tiles for a shiny, clean finish.
Ammonia: Clear ammonia is an alkaline agent that creates homemade cleaning products that are stronger than the most acidic vinegar. Opt for non-suds ammonia. The sudsy type leaves a residue that is difficult to remove.
Making DIY home cleaning products offers many advantages, including cost, less waste, and safety. Using ingredients you already have available is much cheaper than having to purchase expensive cleaners with toxic chemicals.
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