Over the years, I've managed to convert all those chemical cleaners in my cabinet to natural alternatives that don't clog up your lungs or the environment and they're safe to use around children. They're also a cheaper alternative to the dozens of dollars I used to spend on brand name cleaners, even though I was a savvy couponer!
DISCLAIMER - *While these are "safe for use around children" you still don't want them drinking any of your cleaners, so make sure you keep the bottles away from your kids!
Per Sean's request here's some wood cleaner.
Wood Cleaner/Polisher
1/2 cup of the cheapest olive oil
1/4 cup of vinegar or lemon juice
1/4 cup water
Shake well and use a soft rag to polish and clean your wood. This works best on non-laminate surfaces (actual wood) You can use regular all purpose on laminate.
Window cleaner:
- 1/2 cup of isopropyl alcohol
- 1/2 cup of vinegar
- 2 tsp of liquid soap (if you make your own laundry soap, you can use this!)
- 6 cups of warm water
If your windows are not all that dirty, you can use the following as just a "clairifier" to get rid of streaks from say, rain or condensation.
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 2 TBSP of isopropyl alcohol
Spray on fabric cleaner
- 1 cup of water
- 2 TBSP of liquid soap
- 1 TBSP of white vinegar
- 1/2 tsp of baking soda
All purpose cleaner
You can use this for an all purpose cleaner for both your bathroom and kitchen, on the counters, stove, appliances, etc.
- 1/4 tsp of baking soda
- 2 TBSP of isopropyl alcohol
- 1 cup of liquid soap
To clean your dishwasher (not for use on washing dishes)
- 1 tsp of borax
- 1 tsp of cream of tartar (found in the spice section)
- 2 tsp of baking powder
Laundry pretreater
You can just use your homemade laundry detergent and an old toothbrush for regular stains. If you have hard stains, use the following
- 4 cups of warm water
- 1/4 cup of baking soda
- 1/2 cup of white vinegar
- 2 TBSP of your liquid laundry soap
Bleach alternative
- 7.5 cups of water
- 1.5 TBSP of lemon juice
- 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide
Have any magic for finished wood? Right now, we use Murphy's Oil Soap.
ReplyDeleteI do actually Sean :) Mix up together 1/2 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of either vinegar or lemon juice, your choice and 1/4 cup of water. Mix it up and just polish with a soft cloth.
ReplyDeleteVinegar is an awesome cleaner :)
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