Sunday, March 22, 2015

6 Potent Cleaners- Bob Vila

6 Potent Cleaners You Didn't Know You Had

Bob Vila
by Jennifer Noonan
More and more people are steering away from commercial cleaners with their harsh chemicals and opting for more natural choices to get their homes spotless. While it may seem excessive to make a whole pantry’s worth of cleaners from scratch, using cleaning solutions made from common ingredients you probably already own can be both safer and more cost-effective. Bring out the shine in every corner of your house with these tried-and-true cleaning recipes that have been used for generations.
1. Glass Cleaner
6 Potent Cleaners You Didn't Know You Had
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Make your own glass cleaner by mixing 1/4 cup of vinegar, 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol, 2 cups of water, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a spray bottle. (The cornstarch helps prevent streaks.) Shake before use, and spray it on as you would a store-bought cleaner. Wipe it off with a microfiber cloth—you’ll avoid the lint that paper towels leave and, at the same time, save a tree.
2. Grout Cleaner
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Clean grubby grout with a nontoxic cleanser. Mix 1 cup of dish soap and 1 cup of heated white vinegar then pour into a spray bottle. Shake it well, then spray lightly and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub the grout with a brush—it’ll take a little bit of elbow grease—and wipe up with a wet cloth. When you’re done, rinse away any residue with plain hot water.
3. Oven Cleaner
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De-gunk the inside of your oven using a paste of 1/2 cup of baking soda and 2 to 3 tablespoons of water. First, remove the racks. Then cover the interior of your oven with the paste (avoiding the heating elements), and let it sit overnight. The next morning, wipe up with a damp cloth. Spritz vinegar on whatever residue is left; it will foam and can then be easily wiped away.
4. Toilet Cleaner
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Got tough toilet stains? Make your commode sparkle with 3/4 cup of borax and 1 cup of white vinegar. (Add a few drops of lemon or lavender essential oil for fragrance, if you’d like.) Flush the bowl to wet it, then pour the mixture into the toilet to sit undisturbed overnight. Scrub and flush to rinse in the morning.
5. Stainless Steel Cleaner
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For a streak-free shine on your stainless steel appliances, pour equal parts water and vinegar into a spray bottle. Add 1 drop of dish soap and 4 drops of your favorite essential oil. Shake until blended, then spray on a microfiber cloth and wipe down your appliances. A big batch costs less than a dollar, and you won’t believe the results.
6. Furniture Polish
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Avoid the waxy buildup of commercial furniture polish by making your own. Mix together 3/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of vinegar, and the juice from half of a lemon. Stir well before each use, and apply a small amount to wood furniture using a soft cloth. Buff with a clean cloth, or let it air dry. The wood will be nourished by the oil, cleaned by the lemon, and refreshed by the vinegar.  ARTICLE HERE

 

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