The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth

We are swiftly approaching the
"cleaning marathon weeks"
so here are some helpful hints to make
the job pleasant smelling
and easier & cheaper




Alternatives to Commercial Cleaners:

Baking Soda – cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.

Lemon – one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria.

Borax – (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.

White Vinegar – cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.

Washing Soda – or SAL Soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. Use care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.

Isopropyl Alcohol – is an excellent disinfectant.

Cornstarch – can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.

Olive oil – Use to lubricate and polish wood furniture (three parts olive oil to one part vinegar; or two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice).

Potatoes Halved potatoes can remove rust from baking pans or tinware – follow with a salt scrub or dip the potato in salt before scrubbing.

Tea tree oil – Can be added to vinegar/water solutions for its antibacterial properties. Use it to kill mold and mildew, and on kitchen and bathroom surfaces instead of chemical products. Add 50 drops to a bucket of water to clean counter tops and tile floors.

Recipes:

For Laundry:

1 cup baking soda in the wash 1 cup vinegar in the rinse cycle to help soften

If an extra kick is needed for whites or rugs add 1/2 cup borax

Drain De-clogger:

1/4 cup baking soda 1/2 cup vinegar

Pour baking soda into drain. Follow with vinegar. Close drain tightly until fizzing stops. Flush with pot of boiling water.

Ant Traps:

1/3 C Molasses or Honey 6 T Sugar 6 T active Dry Yeast Mix together. Outside put the paste in a container near the colony. Inside put the mixture on a piece of cardboard in the areas ants come into the house.

Furniture Polish

1 T lemon juice 2 T olive oil 2-3 drops lavender oil or an essential oil you like

put in a bottle and shake. Apply with a soft cloth and wipe dry.

Lemon Mint Window Wash For the shiniest windows ever!

Juice from one fresh Lemon 2 Cups water or Club Soda 1/2 teaspoon Peppermint essential oil 1 teaspoon Cornstarch

Mix all ingredients and pour into a plastic spray bottle. Shake before using. Try using sheets of black and white newspaper, it shines without streaking. An old home remedy.

Citrus mint window spray

1/2 cup fresh lemon peel 1/2 cup fresh orange peel 1 cup fresh mint leaves 1 cup white vinegar

combine peels and mint in a jar/bottle, pour vinegar over and cap. let steep for 2 weeks shaking bottle every 2-3 days.

decant and strain into spray bottle. the liquid should have leached out the fragrance and color of the botanicals making a pleasant sent.

Sink & Shower Tile Scrub:

3 tablespoons of coarse sea salt 4 tablespoons of baking soda 5 drops of grapefruit essential oil 4 drops of lemon essential oil Enough water (preferably distilled) to make a paste-like consistency

Comments

  1. Thank you so much for this post. It beats the fortune I could have spent on commercial more toxic cleaners!!!
    While hating the process I am now more energized to begin, you did though leave out ammonia one of my mother's favorites!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oooooh, ammonia is dangerous and toxic if inhaled. Of course it was left out. Thank you for he comment.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts