Homemade cleaning products are non-toxic, less expensive alternatives to those that are commercially available in grocery shelves. They're also easy to make; many of the basic ingredients can be found in your own pantry or kitchen shelves. DIY cleaning saves you money and also helps in conserving the environment by cutting down on packaging waste.
Here are a few useful DIY recipes and tips for house cleaning, without the harmful chemicals.
1. Vinegar Soap to Clean Bathroom Tiles and Cloth Stains
Vinegar on its own is already great cleaner that can be used for a variety of purposes, but adding some dishwashing cleaner will increase its cleaning power. It’s also insanely easy to make!
All you need are these ingredients: spray bottle, vinegar, natural dishwashing liquid soap, and warm water. Just fill the spray bottle halfway through with vinegar, add about 2-3 tablespoons of dishwashing soap, fill the rest of the bottle with water, and shake to mix it all in. This multifunctional spray can be used for cleaning bathroom tiles and for removing laundry stains.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide for Wine and Ink Stains
For red wine spills, do this: Use a paper towel to blot out as much of the stain as you can, then mix 1 teaspooon of dish soap with one cup hydrogen peroxide. Blot that mixture to the stain, and put a dry towel behind it to soak up the stain further. Use this for ink stains, too.
3. Egg Yolk for Coffee Stains
Simply mix one egg yolk with lukewarm water and rub it on the coffee stain spot. Voila! No more coffee blot!
4. Vinegar and Aluminum Foil for Rust
Pots, pans, and other appliances can get rusty. An easy way to get rid of that is by simply dipping aluminum foil in white vinegar and using that to scrub away the rust. Make sure to rinse and thoroughly dry the newly cleaned item before storing it away.
5. 3-ingredient All Purpose Cleaner
This cleaner can be used for a variety of purpose, from wiping down windows, surfaces, deodorizing and cleaning litter boxes, and even cleaning out bathroom tiles. You just need to mix these three ingredients together in a spray bottle: 2 cups water, 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, and 1/4 cup lemon juice.
6. Potato and Dishwashing soap for Rust
Simply cut a potato in half, and dip the cut out piece on dishwashing soap. Rub the soaked area on the rusted surface until the gunk disappears. Cut out the used potato and keep applying dishsoap for rubbing until all traces of rust is gone.
7. Vinegar and lemon juice to clean inside the microwave
No scrubbing required to clean the insides of a microwave oven with this trick: mix equal parts lemon and white vinegar inside a microwave-safe cup, put the mixture inside and turn on the oven for two minutes. After that, let it rest and leave the microwave door closed for a few more minutes. When you’re ready, open the door and wipe down the sides with a paper towel or damp cloth.
Need housecleaning services? If you live around Sydney, check out HomeHello for all your house cleaning needs.