Home-Made Cleaners--Updated
Written: Nov 01 '01 (Updated Jan 03 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: cheap, easy
Cons: can be dangerous--keep away from children
The Bottom Line: With a few common ingredients, you can make your own cleaners for pennies.
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| lcase's Full Review: Household |
Who doesn't want to save some money on expensive household cleaners? You can make your own cleaners at a fraction of the price of store-bought. Consider the following recipes for home-made cleaners that are easy to make and are inexpensive to use:
All-purpose Cleaner
7 cups warm water
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup household ammonia
Combine ammonia, baking soda and 1 cup of warm water in a 1/2 gallon jug. Cap and shake vigorously until well mixed. Add remaining water. Label the jug for future use.
To use, pour 1/2 cup of the mixture into 1 - 1 1/2 gallons hot water. Be sure to test a small area of delicate surfaces such as wallpaper.
All-purpose Disinfectant
1-1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent
1 quart hot water
1-1/3 cup pine oil
Mix detergent and water and stir slowly until detergent is completely dissolved. If the mixture gets foam, stop stirring and skim off the bubbles. Gradually add pine oil and mix well.
To use, dilute using 1 part disinfectant with 1 part water, except when cleaning high bacteria areas such as toilet bowls, etc. Store in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Keep out of reach of small children.This is good for use on counter tops and floors.
Aluminum Cleaner
1/4 cup soap flakes
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cream of tarter
Combine cream of tartar and baking soda. Add vinegar and mix to form a soft paste. Add soap flakes and transfer to a jar or bottle with a solid lid. Label for future use.
To use, apply with a steel wool pad, then rinse off. Store out of reach of children.
Carpet Stain Remover/Cleaner
If the mess/stain is still wet, sprinkle with baking soda. Allow to dry, then vacuum. If stain is old and dry, saturate with club soda and scrub with a wet cloth. Then sprinkle baking soda on and allow to dry.
Comb & Brush Cleaner
1 pint (16 fluid oz.) water
1/4 cup household ammonia
1/4 tsp shampoo or liquid detergent
Mix all ingredients in a bowl or jar. Set comb or brush in the liquid and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes. Remove from the liquid and clean the brush by scraping with a comb (and vice versa). Rinse with warm water and allow to dry before using.
*Another method for cleaning combs and brushes is to throw them in the washer with dark clothing. Remove the items before the clothes go in the dryer.
Drain Cleaner
Formula #1:
1 cup baking soda
1 cup salt
1/4 cup cream of tarter
Place all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake vigorously until well mixed. To use, pour 1/4 cup of the mixture into the drain, followed by 2 cups boiling water. Wait 1 minute, then rinse with tap water.
Formula #2:
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup of vinegar
2 quarts boiling water
Plunge stuck drain first. Put 1/2 cup baking soda
in drain. Add 2 cups vinegar. Let stand about 5 minutes. Run hot water in the drain for several minutes.
Furniture Cleaner
1 cup linseed oil
2/3 cup turpentine
1/3 cup white vinegar
Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl. Use a soft cloth to apply to wood surfaces, rubbing to remove dirt and excess polish. Removes surface dirt and grime from finished wood. Store in a tightly covered jar.
Glass Cleaner
1 gal. water
1 pint vinegar
1 qt. ammonia
--or--
1 qt. water
1/2 cup vinegar
1 cup ammonia
These formulas work, they are inexpensive, and are easy to mix. Always use newspaper to wipe dry.
Grease Solvent
2 tbsp liquid gel soap
3 tbsp cornmeal
1 tsp glycerin
Combine ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Removes stubborn grease/oil stains from your skin.
Jewelry Cleaner
1 tbsp dish soap
1 tbsp washing soda (sodium carbonate)
1 tbsp household ammonia
3 cups warm water
Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Pour into a glass jar and cover tightly. Label jar for future use and keep out of reach of children. To use, soak jewelry in the solution for 1-10 minutes (depending on the amount of tarnish). Swish intricate pieces in the solution to get into the cracks/crevices. Use a toothbrush or a well-washed mascara brush for hard to reach places. Rinse and dry with a soft clean cloth. Don't soak pearls in this solution. Rub them gently with a soft chamois cloth dampened in the solution. Do not combine this solution with chlorine bleach - hazardous fumes will result!
Tile & Grout Cleaner
1/2 cup baking soda
1/3 cup household ammonia
1/4 cup white vinegar
7 cups warm water
Combine ingredients in a gallon container. Cover tightly and shake or swish to mix ingredients. Label for future use and keep out of reach of children. Do not combine this mixture with anything containing bleach.
To use, fill a spray bottle with the solution. Spray directly onto tile surface, then wipe with a damp sponge or cloth. Eliminates grimy soap film.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
1 tbsp household ammonia
1 cup hydrogen peroxide
2 quarts water
Mix ingredients in a bucket, then slowly pour solution into the toilet bowl. Let stand for 30 minutes, then scrub inside of bowl with a scrub brush and flush. For stubborn stains, let stand for several hours. Use regularly to clean and disinfect.
Candle Wax Cleaning
Hot iron
Brown paper bag
Put the brown paper over the candle wax and run the hot iron over it. The brown paper will absorb the wax. You'll be able to see it happening. Launder the garment after this treatment.
If the candle wax is on carpeting, use the same treatment, then shampoo the spot cleaned with this method.
That's it! Happy cleaning.
This material was obtained from sources, including Hints from Heloise and Reader's Digest. Some was obtained from life experience.
Recommended:
Yes
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lcase
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Location: WV
Reviews written: 161
Trusted by: 16 members
About Me:
I'm a wife (39 yrs.), a mom, a grandmother, and a former teacher.
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