Homemade Cleaners

Spending too much money on brand name household cleansers? I became my own Mrs. Clean by making my own stain removers, deodorizers, polishes, etc. It’s easy (and even fun) to save money on cleaning products by making your own at home. Homemade cleansers are not only cheaper, but will also save space under your sink. Two or three common cleaners can do the work of six of seven “specialized” name brand ones. To create your barrage of homemade, household cleansers, everything you need is in your kitchen or bathroom. You don’t need to be a chef or a chemist to create these (inedible) recipes. Let’s get mixing!

Stain Removers
I have a rabbit who usually has great litter box habits. But, as with all pets, accidents will happen. So I have a spray bottle of half water, half white vinegar handy for the living room carpet. The mixture takes up the stain and kills the strong odor. Once it dries the vinegar smell is gone and I have a pretty carpet again. Even if it is covered in rabbit fur!


Here are some other sure-fire cleaner mixes:

Baking Soda

Combine: one cup baking soda with hot water in washing machine.

Use to: keep white clothes even whiter.

Club Soda

Combine: two parts club soda with one part table salt.

Use on: any cloth stain – scrub into stain, let sit for ten minutes and either rinse well with cold water or wash as normal.

Tip: works best on food and oil based stains.

Deodorizers

Alcohol

Combine: two parts warm water with one part rubbing alcohol.

Use in: bathrooms and kitchens – pour into spray bottle, mist onto area and scrub if needed.

Tip: wear rubber gloves to prevent skin from over-drying.

Baking Soda

Combine: two parts water with one part baking soda.

Use on: dish drainers, silverware, Teflon-coated pots and pans, tile, Thermos containers, lunch boxes, plastics and enamel.

More tomorrow!