It is easy to create your own homemade household cleaners using common ingredients, many of which may be found in your own kitchen.
Why should you bother going through the trouble of making your own homemade household cleaners? Why not just continue to purchase the usual commercial, store-bought products?
Commercial cleaners contain many harmful, toxic chemicals. The use of these chemicals is damaging to the environment and may also be unsafe for your family. In addition, commercial cleaners are very costly. By creating your own homemade household cleaners, you will be helping the environment and saving some money at the same time.
Homemade household cleaners for general use around the house may be created using white vinegar, baking soda and water. White vinegar, which contains acetic acid, works as an effective disinfectant, deodorizer and cleaner that disintegrates grease, dirt and soap scum. Baking soda is also known as bicarbonate of soda and sodium bicarbonate. When mixed with white vinegar and water, baking soda is a mildly abrasive cleaner that dissolves grease and dirt. Use 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda to every gallon of water for everyday household cleaning.
Stronger homemade household cleaners may be made using white vinegar, borax, castile soap and water. Borax, also known as sodium tetraborate decahydrate, works by enhancing the efficiency of vinegar and other cleaners. Castile soap is a type of soap produced from vegetable oil instead of animal fat or artificial materials. Castile soap is usually made from olive oil, but other oils may also be used such as coconut and jojoba oils. Use one tablespoon borax, five tablespoons white vinegar and one tablespoon castile soap for every five cups of hot water.
Homemade household cleaners or polishers for wood furniture may also be created. For unfinished wood surfaces, a polish may be made by mixing together 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup lemon juice. For finished wood surfaces, use 1/2 teaspoon of lemon oil mixed well with one cup of warm water.
For glass windows and mirrors, homemade household cleaners may be prepared using cornstarch and water. Mix up a solution of one cup cornstarch to two quarts of warm water. Alternatively, four teaspoons of white vinegar combined with two quarts of warm water may also be used.
Homemade household cleaners may also be made to destroy mold and mildew in your bathroom shower and other places in the home. Combine one cup hydrogen peroxide with two cups of water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray the areas containing mold and mildew well. Wait one hour before rinsing thoroughly.
For drains that are sluggish or clogged, homemade household cleaners may be used in place of commercial drain openers. Mix up a solution of 1/2 cup salt and four cups of hot water and pour it down the drain. Wait a half hour before adding more hot water. For tougher drain clogs, pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup white vinegar. After thirty minutes, pour in hot water to completely clear the drain.
In addition to doing your small part to help the world’s environment, you will find that these homemade household cleaners work just as well, if not better, than costly store bought cleaning products.
