Simple Recipes for Making Your Own Cleaning Supplies That Will Save You Money
Simple hacks like washing windows with vinegar, water and newspapers is not only inexpensive, but it's also very effective and kinder to the environment compared to many harsher chemicals found on the marketplace.
When it comes to spring cleaning, we're able to use greener supplies that are both cheaper and friendlier to Mother Earth in order to accomplish this time-honored, annual task. In this light, here's a batch of money-saving, homemade options for a crispier, cleaner house this season.
Making Scented Vinegar Solutions
For some people, cleaning with vinegar doesn't agree with their sense of smell but there are ingredients to include in the mixture to give it a more pleasant aroma. Add citrus rinds or rosemary sprigs to equal parts of water and vinegar to create this all-purpose cleaner. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and wait about a week to give the ingredients an opportunity to infuse prior to use. As an added bonus, the acid found in citrus fruits makes it easier to break down stubborn stains.
Utilizing Reusable Resources
When cleaning today, many people reach for paper towels but using these disposable wipes adds up to 13 billion pounds of these wasted paper products being purchased annually in the United States. Instead, consider using microfiber cleaning cloths which can be regularly washed and reused along with some of these other recoverable options:
- Nylon brushes which can be disinfected with vinegar
- A pumice stone helps to break down tough mineral deposits and stains
- Plastic spray bottles and other reusable containers
Whiten, Brighten and Deodorize
Dentists have been recommending brushing with baking soda for decades partially due to the fact it's an effective tool for fighting bacteria along with being properties for whitening and brightening our teeth and dentures. Combining 4 tablespoons of baking soda to one quart of warm water makes an excellent cleanser for kitchen countertops, appliances, many interior and exterior parts of the refrigerator. Since baking soda is non-abrasive, it also works well on stainless steel sinks, many household appliances and other sensitive surfaces.
Cleaning and Unclogging
Many people used baking soda and vinegar during their school days as part of a science project to watch the reaction formed when combining these two ingredients together. The resulting foaming action is a great way to clean drains, garbage disposals and unblock clogs that often build up from hair, grease and other objects. Pour one-half cup baking soda into the drain followed by a cup of white vinegar and you'll hear the fizz immediately.
For further power, boil several cups of hot water and follow the treatment with this hot liquid. If you're using this solution to clean a garbage disposal, following the first two steps, fill the drainage space with ice and pour a half-cup of salt on top. Activate the disposal with the water running until the ice and salt are gone. Finish it off by cutting a lemon into quarters and put the pieces into the disposal one at a time, with the water running to leave it clean and smelling lemony fresh.
In closing, reusing cleaning tools in combination with using more natural ingredients will keep more money to our pockets and help to lengthen the lifespan of our planet.