What You Need
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You can save money by using a few easy recipes. Many of the ingredients you need are already in your home. White vinegar, baking soda, and borax are all essential ingredients for a basic natural cleaning kit. Also included are citrus fruits, empty spray bottles, white vinegar, and empty spray bottles. For scent, you may also need hydrogen peroxide (cornstarch), castile soap, Tea Tree Oil, or other essential oils. Use microfiber cloths, old cotton T-shirts, or even old cotton T-shirts in place of paper towels to reduce waste.
White Vinegar
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Vinegar has a number of uses for cleaning the home. It is acidic nature makes it great for removing gummy buildups, rust, and hard water stains. Use vinegar to clean your coffee maker. Lemon juice can be used in the same manner as vinegar. However, lemon juice goes bad very quickly, so you cannot store it for longer than a couple of days.
Baking Soda
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Baking soda is a great way to absorb odors from the air. It can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks. You can use it to reduce the smell in diaper pails, litter boxes, and garbage cans. Sprinkle it onto a damp cloth and use it as a surface cleaner for counters, sinks, ovens, stoves, and tubs. You can find baking soda on the baking aisle at your local grocery store.
Borax
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Borax or sodium borate is similar to baking soda but stronger. Borax is a natural bleach that can be used to remove dirt and stains on surfaces and laundry. Borax is a natural bleach, but it can irritate the skin, eyes, or respiratory system. Use it with caution and keep it out of reach of children and pets. You can find it in the laundry section of your local store.
Mixing your cleaners
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Use spray bottles or containers you would not mistakenly confuse with food containers when making your cleaning mixtures. Label them immediately. In most cases, hot water is better for cleaning than cold water, so you should use freshly made cleaners and hot water. It may be necessary to scrub harder or allow cleaning mixtures to sit longer than with store-bought cleaners.
Clean or Disinfect?
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The goal of most house cleaning is to eliminate germs and dirt. The following natural homemade cleaners can help you achieve this. Some honest cleaners are also disinfectants or can kill germs, but they must be made fresh. They will still clean but not disinfect as well if they are stored.
All-Purpose Cleaning Solution
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Mix 1/2 cup vinegar with 1/4 cup baking soda and 4-8 cups of hot water to make a mild cleaner. Baking soda can be substituted with two teaspoons of borax. To give any mixture a new scent, add a few drops of essential oil.
Glass and Mirror Cleaner
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Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon water to make a mild cleaner. To make a window cleaner that will not streak, mix 1/4 cup white vinegar with one tablespoon of cornstarch in 4 cups warm water. Shake the cornstarch to dissolve it before spraying. To avoid streaks, wipe clean using a microfiber towel and then a dry towel.
Kitchen Sanitizer
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You can clean surfaces with soap and warm water, but if your goal is to kill harmful bacteria like E. coli and salmonella, you will need to use hydrogen peroxide or hot vinegar and let them sit for at least one minute. How to do it: Heat 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar (5%) until 130 F. Pour the mixture into an empty spray bottle and spray on surfaces. Allow it to sit for one minute, and then wipe it clean.
Another Kitchen Sanitizer
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Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1 cup of club soda and two drops of tea tree oil to create a new way to clean surfaces. Spray the mixture onto the surface and wipe it clean. The medicine only works if you make it fresh. It does not work as well even 24 hours after it was made.
Clean the Garbage Disposal
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If you notice that your garbage disposal has started to smell, try running it with some ice and an orange, lemon, or lime squeezed. The ice will sharpen the blade, and the citrus peels will give off a fresh smell.
Microwave Cleaner
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Mix six tablespoons of baking soda or 1/2 cup of lemon juice with 1 cup of water in a glass container that can be microwaved. The mixture should be heated in the microwave until it reaches boiling point and then left inside the container with the door shut until it cools. Steam will help to loosen grime, making it easier to clean the microwave.
Cleaning Drains
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Pour prevent or remove a backup in your drains; pour 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Then, uncover and add 8 cups of boiling water. You can also use 1/2 cup of borax and 8 cups of boiling water. Use a plumber’s tool and boiling water to clear a clog.
Scrub the Toilet
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Pour a light clean, combine 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar. Pour it into the toilet bowl. After 3 to 30 minutes, use a toilet brush and flush. To remove tougher stains, mix 1/2 cup of borax with 1 gallon of hot water. Pour a thorough cleaning, sprinkle 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 cup borax in the basin. Allow it to sit overnight and then scrub.
Take on Mildew in the Shower
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Fill a spray bottle with hot water and add 1/2 cup borax and 1/2 cup vinegar. Spray it into the shower or tub and scrub. Mix 1/3 cup of rubbing alcohol and 1 cup of water to create a spray that can be used daily in the rain to prevent mold. Shake the mixture and spray on without rinsing.
Scrub the tub and tile.
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Then, use a damp sponge to scrub the surface, followed by a sprinkle of baking soda or salt that is not iodized. Rinse well with water. Another option is to mix 1 2/3 cups baking soda with 1/2 cup liquid castile soap and 1/2 cup of water. Use the mixture with two tablespoons of vinegar to scrub the tub or tile.
Do not mix these.
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Never mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in the same container. Peracetic acid is created, which is harmful to inhale and can burn the skin. Ammonia and bleach can also produce toxic fumes if they are mixed or used in the same area.