Common household items can be used to make safe, cheap, child-safe, non-toxic cleaning solutions. Plus, they do a great job of cleaning your home! The “greenest” thing you can do is to first use up what you have. Even if they are a bit toxic, using it is better than dumping it out into our water system. If you have toxic products you don’t want to use, dispose of them properly by contacting your cities hazardous waste department.
Tile, Counter Tops & Toilet Bowl Cleaner – Mix baking soda and water together until you form a paste with a similar consistency as soft toothpaste.
Shower Doors – To clean the scum off your glass doors, wipe them down with lemon oil. As a preventative measure, you can use a few drops of lemon oil on them once or twice a month.
Shower Heads – If you shower heads have mineral deposits, put vinegar in a plastic bag and attach the bag to your shower head using a rubber band. You essentially want the showerhead to be immersed in vinegar overnight. Then rinse with water in the morning and they will be mineral deposit free and sparkling clean!
Window’s & Mirrors – Fill a spray bottle with Club Soda. Spray on glass and immediately wipe off solution using newspaper.
Unclogging Drains – Mix together equal amounts of salt and baking soda then pour down your drain. After a few minutes run hot water for 3-5 minutes. This will work great if your drain is clogged due to oil or grease. If your drain is clogged for any other reason, such as hair, this solution probably won’t work for you. You need to clean out the hair trap or snake your drain.
Faucets with Lime Scale – Rub with lemon juice and let it sit overnight. In the morning, wipe with a damp cloth.
Stainless Steel Sinks, Fixtures and Appliances – Mix one part rubbing alcohol with two parts water. Put into a spray bottle and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Use the damp cloth to polish your steel.
Hardwood Floors – Mix together one part distilled white vinegar and two parts water. This solution is great at picking up dust and disinfects your floors naturally.
Scuffed Floors – Apply 2-4 drops of tea tree oil to the scuff. Wipe off the excess oil with a soft cloth. Take a clean soft cloth and rub in white distilled vinegar.
Wood Furniture – Polish your furniture by combining 2 cups olive oil or vegetable oil with the juice from 1 lemon. Rub it on your furniture using a soft cloth.
Glassware – To make your glassware sparkle, pre-rinse with vinegar then rinse again with water.
Vehicle – To make your car sparkle, mix 1/4 cup of liquid Castile Soap with a full bucket of hot water. You can use it to clean your car’s exterior, windshield, hubcaps and tires. Use a clean sponge or car cloth and thoroughly hose it off when you’re finished washing.
Garage Floor – To remove oil stains and get your garage floor looking like new, cover oil spots generously with baking soda then sprinkle with water until a paste forms. Let the paste stand overnight. Scrub with a damp course brush, rinse and wipe clean.
Cheers to a clean healthy home, a healthy family, a healthy planet and a healthy pocket book!
Heidi is a professional organizer specializing in organizing paperwork , creator of The Fast-Filing Method home filing system, & publisher of Life Made Simple e-Magazine. She energizes her readers’ lives by teaching effective systems to help you accomplish more in less time! Visit ClearSimpleLiving.com to get a complimentary subscription & a FREE Home Organization Kit.