Simple, natural and inexpensive ingredients can be effectively used to keep domestic environments clean and eco-happy.
Here are some homemade household cleaner recipes:
- All-Purpose Cleanser – Mix a ½ cup of pure soap (or soap flakes) with a ¼ cup of lemon juice and 1 gallon of hot water.
- Carpet Cleaner – Lightly sprinkle cornstarch and/or baking soda over the carpet, rub it in and then vacuum after one hour. Another suggestion is to combine a ½ cup of dish detergent with 1 pint of boiling water, cool, whip into stiff foam and apply with a damp cloth. For tough stains try using cold soda water or blot the area with vinegar and soapy water.
- Disinfectant – Mix 1 teaspoon of borax with 2 tablespoons of vinegar and a ¼ cup of soap with 2 cups of hot water. Adding a few drops of Tea-Tree Oil to warm water works wonders as well.
- Drain Cleaner – Pour ¼ cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of salt down the drain. Add ½ cup of vinegar and cover the drain with the stopper. Wait 15 minutes, then flush the drain with boiling water.
- Dusting Spray – Mix 1 teaspoon of olive oil with ½ cup of vinegar and apply with a soft cloth.
- Fabric Softener – Add ¼ cup of vinegar in the final rinse cycle.
- Floor Cleaner – Combine ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide with ¼ cup of vinegar and ¼ cup of washing soda with 1 gallon of warm water. Or try just ½ a cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of water.
- Furniture Polish - Dissolve 1 teaspoon of lemon oil in 1 cup of vegetable oil and apply with a clean rag.
- Glass Cleaner – Mix ½ cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water and use newspaper to clean the surface (it won't leave streaks)
- Laundry Detergent – Combine 1 part borax with ¼ part washing soda.
- Oven Cleaner - Apply a paste of baking soda and water, let it sit overnight and then remove with a soapy cloth.
- Porcelain Stain Remover – Mix borax and lemon juice into a paste. Let the mixture sit for 2 hours and then scrub the object.
- Starch – Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 pint of cold water.
- Tub & Tile Cleaner - Use a firm bristle brush with baking soda and an all-purpose cleanser. For cleaning grout you can use 3 parts baking soda mixed with 1 part water.
- Upholstery Cleaner – Combine ¼ cup of liquid soap with 3 tablespoons of water. Rub the soap mix on the furniture and then rinse with a sponge
