Often the advertising media prompts you to purchase various cleaning products because they look great and promise to deliver great results. The reality is that you probably have items around the house that are inexpensive, work as well as the costly ones, and can be less toxic and are biodegradable. Using common household ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, and ammonia, as cleaning products can definitely help your budget and save you a considerable amount of money over time.
Here are household tips to save money and produce great results while cleaning.
Air freshener: place a bowl of vinegar in the kitchen or bathroom to absorb odors.
Drains: for a great once-a-month drain cleaner, pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain, follow with 1/2 cup white vinegar - it will foam. Cover and let sit 30 minutes and then flush with cool water. For stubborn, slow-running drains: pour 1-cup baking soda and 1-cup salt down the drain. Follow this with 2 quarts boiling water. Let sit 30 minutes, and then flush with cool water.
Tile countertops: to clean ceramic tile, where mold and mildew accumulate, use a combination of 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1-gallon warm water, and 1-cup ammonia.
Kitchen surfaces: regularly clean all kitchen surfaces by using a spray bottle mixed with 1/2-cup vinegar and a quart of water.
Glass cleaner: when glass-cleaning products leave residue on bathroom mirrors, mix a 1/2-cup vinegar with a quart of water in a clean plastic spray bottle. Spray glass and wipe with a clean paper towel.
Dishwasher: to deodorize, empty the dishwasher, pour in a 1/4 cup of vinegar or sprinkle in a little baking soda, and run the dishwasher again. Even if you prefer not to use the dishwasher, run at least once a week to keep seals from becoming hard and cracked.
Refrigerators: clean regularly with soap and water; wipe down with vinegar and water to remove residue; place a cup of baking soda in a bowl on a refrigerator shelf to absorb odors. A cup of dry unused coffee grounds can also absorb odors when placed on a refrigerator shelf.
Washing machine: add a quarter or half a cup of baking soda to the washing machine with regular detergent to help with mild odors. This will keep that musty smell out of towels.
Toilets: remove waterline marks in the toilet bowl by pouring in 2 cups of white vinegar. Let soak overnight, then flush to rinse. If this does not work, rub the waterline mark with a wet pumice stone.
Deodorize many areas: sprinkle baking soda in shoes, empty ice chest, garbage receptacles, and more. Sprinkle on carpets and vacuum.
For help with carpet stains:
Vacuum the carpet if the stain is dry. If the stain is still wet, blot gently to remove excess - blot, do NOT rub. Lightly soak the carpet stain with clean water first to remove the stain - blot, do NOT rub. If the stain remains, mix a 3 Tablespoons of vinegar with a quart of water in a spray bottle and spray the stain; blot again; do NOT rub. If this fails, consult a professional carpet cleaner immediately; the longer you wait may mean the stain may not come out.
There are many more ways to use these home products and economize all year round. Many of them you can find in bulk at even bigger cost-savings. Search the Internet for more tips on using simpler products, then use them and save your money for activities that are more enjoyable or necessities.
The material provided in this newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only. It is NOT legal advice.
Although we believe this material is accurate, we cannot guarantee that it is 100% without errors.
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