Have you ever thought about it, keeping things clean is expensive! On top of that look at the storage space it takes from our cupboards and shelves to keep those products needed to clean. And then again, it’s necessary to keep them high and away from children because many (or most) of these products are toxic. After that is the proper way to dispose of these containers. The upside for most people is the convenience of a product that is ready to use.
Prior to the early 20th century commercial products hadn’t even shown up yet. Since 1915 about 4 million household chemicals have now been created. The residents in Fresno, California submitted dozens of recipes for homemade cleaners that they make from everyday household products.
One lady uses only two homemade formulas. She mixes ammonia, rubbing alcohol, dish detergent and water in one. In the other, ammonia, white vinegar, lemon juice and blue food coloring that makes her mix look like a commercial window cleaner. From time to time she buys a commercial product thinking it might be better, only to find her solution is still best. Many households use vinegar as a staple. White vinegar keeps the static electricity out of your clothes.
Spray new tennis shoes with liquid starch. Another favorite is the use of hydrogen peroxide. It’s cheap and fumeless, odorless, antibacterial and nontoxic. Use hydrogen peroxide on wet bloodstains. Try baking soda and white vinegar to clean windows, mirrors and countertops. Try a damp sponge with a drop of soap and baking soda sprinkled on to wipe that grunge off your stove hood. You can use the same mixture for grease spots on clothes. I remember having a huge grease spot on one of my good skirts. I dampened it and sprinkled baking soda on it and rubbed it in. After letting it sit for a while I washed it in the washer and, poof, stain was completely gone. A toothbrush works wonders for scrubbing this mixture into those stains.
Try using milk to remove lipstick from cloth by soaking for 30 minutes, rinsing in soapy water and then washing. Lemon rind removes rust, ink and mildew. Boil potatoes or carrot peelings in water and use to remove lime deposits from teakettles, toilet bowls or wherever needed.
Another lady uses 3 basic formulas for most things in her home. They are put in separately, clearly marked spray bottles. Rubbing alcohol and water for eyeglasses, ammonia, baking soda, white vinegar and water for all-purpose cleaner and white vinegar and water for stains.
Let’s be inventive and use some of these commonly used household items to create your own cleaning recipes. The basic prime ingredients might be baking soda, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, borax, tea or lavender oil, castile soap, fresh citrus peels, olive oil and water. There are many tried and true recipes out there on the web just waiting for you to try them for every room in your house. Hey, how about saving some money while you’re at it?