Beautiful smells while you clean

I love this article from one of my favorite blogs on household cleaning products that are so much safer that the commercial brands. Don't forget to add some pure essential oils to help with the disinfecting properties and to add a beautiful aroma while you clean. I recommend Lemon, Lavender, peppermint and Tea tree.

Whistle while you work!

Homemade Cleaning Products {Non-Toxic, safe cleaning formulas to easily make yourself}

It has been beautiful these past couple of days which makes me want to get a jump on spring cleaning so I can devote all my time to playing outside once the warm weather is here is stay. In preparation, I thought it would be fun to share some homemade cleaning formulas for this week's Saturday Inspiration that are super easy to put together and budget friendly too!

Although non-toxic, 'safe' household cleaners are becoming more and more readily available and easy to find; there are several good old homemade substitutions you can easily make yourself. These natural alternatives are not only healthier but environmentally friendly as well...not to mention extremely inexpensive compared to commercial cleaners.

{All Purpose Cleaners}

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Formula No 1
1/2 Cup of Vinegar
1/4 Cup of Baking Soda {or 2 teaspoons of Borax}
1/2 Gallon of Water

Formula No 2
1/2 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
2 teaspoons of Borax
1/2 Teaspoon of Liquid Soap or Detergent
2 Cups of Hot Water

Formula No 3
Fill Spray Bottle half way with White Vinegar
Fill the rest with Water
Optional - Add 10-20 Drops of Essential Oils

Tip: Microfiber Cloths
lift dirt, dust and grease without the need of cleaners. They are naturally formulated to penetrate and trap dirt.

{Disinfectants}

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Formula No 1
2 Cups of Water
1/4 Cup of Lemon Juice
2 Teaspoons of Borax

Formula No 2
2 Teaspoons of Borax
4 Tablespoons of Vinegar
3 Cups of Hot Water

Formula No 3
1/4 Cup Vinegar
1 Teaspoon of Scent Free Plain Liquid Dish Detergent
20 Drops of Tea Tree Oil

Formula No 4
2 Teaspoons of Borax
4 Teaspoons of Vinegar
3 Cups of Hot Water
1/4 Teaspoon of Castile Soap

{Window Cleaner}

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Formula No 1
2 Teaspoons of White Vinegar
1 Quart of Warm Water

Formula No 2
1 Cup of Rubbing Alcohol
1 Cup of Water
1 Teaspoon of Vinegar

Tips:
Wash one side of the window with horizontal strokes and the other with vertical so you can pinpoint which side may have streaks.

Don't clean windows when the sun is shining directly on them or if they are warm - the heat dries the cleaning solution prior to having time to polish the windows correctly.

Eliminate tiny scratches in glass by polishing them with toothpaste

To give an extra shine to windows polish with newspapers or a clean cotton cloth. Rub a blackboard eraser over cleaned windows for a diamond bright shine.

{Kitchen Cleaners}

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Garbage Disposal
Grind the skins of lemons, oranges and limes in the disposal along with ice cubes.{The ice will sharpen the blades}

Dishwasher Soap
1 Cup of Borax
1 Cup of Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Citric Acid Powder
1/2 Cup Kosher Salt

Dishwasher Rinsing Agent
Fill with Plain White Vinegar

Scouring Powder
Baking Soda or Table Salt can be used as an alternative to chlorine scouring powders. Sprinkle on sponge or surface and scour.

{Bathroom Cleaners}

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Bath Mold or Mildew
Mix One Part Hydrogen Peroxide with Two Parts Water
Spray on - Wait one hour before rinsing

Tub and Tile Cleaner
Make a paste of baking soda and water
Allow to stand for 10-15 minutes

Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Mix 1/4 Cup of Baking Soda and 1 Cup of Vinegar
Pour into basin and let sit - scrub with a brush and rinse

Showerheads
Please 1/2 cup of undiluted vinegar into a food storage bag and secure to the showerhead with a rubber band - let sit over night, rinse.

{Floor Cleaners}

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Vinyl and Linoleum
1 Cup of Vinegar
Few Drops of Baby Oil
1 Gallon of Warm Water

Brick and Stone Tiles
1 Cup of White Vinegar
1 Gallon of Water
Rinse with clear water

Carpet Stain Cleaner
Mix 1/4 Cup of Salt, 1/4 Cup of Borax, 1/4 Cup of Vinegar
Rub into carpet - leave for a few hours - vacuum

Carpet Deodorizer
Sprinkle Baking Soda on carpets and let sit one hour prior to vacuuming

{Metal Cleaners Polishes}

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Silver
Line a pan with aluminum foil and fill with water. Add a teaspoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Immerse silver and poilsh with a soft cloth.

Stainless Steel
Clean with a cloth dampened with undiluted white vinegar

Chrome
Polish with baby oil or vinegar

Aluminum
Clean with a solution of Cream of Tarter and Water using a soft cloth

Copper
Apply a dab of ketchup on a soft cloth and rub over tarnished spots

Gold
Clean with Toothpaste or a paste mix of salt, vinegar and flour

Brass or Bronze
Polish with a soft cloth dipped in equal parts of lemon juice and baking soda or Apply a dab of ketchup on a soft cloth and rub over tarnished spots

{Laundry}

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Powder Laundry Detergent
1 Cup of Ivory Soap or Fels-Naptha Soap, Grated
1/2 Cup of Washing Soda
1/2 Cup of Borax

Liquid Laundry Detergent
10 Homemade Laundry Soap Recipes {here} at TipNut

Stain Remover
1 Cup of Water
1/2 Cup of Baking Soda
1/2 Cup of Hydrogen Peroxide
Mix and store in spray bottle. Spray on stain and let sit overnight.

Grass Stain Remover
Wet the Stain with water and cover with salt. Let sit one hour and wash as usual.

Mothballs
Cedar Chips in a cheesecloth square or Cedar oil in an absorbent cloth.

Homemade Moth repelling sachets can be made from Lavender, Rosemary, Vetiver, and Rose Petals.

Dried Lemon Peels are also a moth deterrent.

{Miscellaneous}

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Furniture Polish
Mix 2 Teaspoons of Olive Oil and 2 Teaspoons of Lemon Juice -Apply with a soft cloth

Varnished Wood Polish
Add a few drops of Lemon Oil to 1/2 Cup of Warm Water. Spray onto soft cloth - wipe and finish by wiping with a soft dry cotton cloth.

Water Rings on Wood
Apply toothpaste or mayonnaise with a soft damp cloth and rub into ring.

Rust Remover
Sprinkle rust spot with salt and squeeze a lime on top until salt is well soaked. Leave mixture sit for 2-3 hours then scrub residue with the lime rind.

Oil and Grease Spots in Garage
For small spots on garage floor, sprinkle with baking soda and scrub with a wet brush.


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