Using Household Items for Cleaning
How to Clean and Deodorize without Buying Commercial Products
May 5, 2009
Most everyone wants a clean house. However, commercial cleaning products can be pricey and with today’s declining economy it’s more important than ever to cut costs. Chances are you probably already have some items in your home that can serve as cleaning products.
White Vinegar for Cleaning
- Kitchen sink cleaner - White vinegar is an excellent cleaning product, killing up to 90 percent of bacteria, besides more than 80 percent of mildew and mold. Take a spray bottle and fill it with a mixture that’s three parts water to one part vinegar. Then, use the solution to clean under the kitchen sink and stove.
- Bathroom fixtures cleaner - Vinegar also is excellent for cleaning lime off bathroom sinks, tubs and shower heads. First soak the showerhead in vinegar and then brush off the built-up lime, using an old toothbrush.
- Window cleaner – Equal parts of vinegar and water sprayed from a spray bottle are effective in cleaning windows.
Using Citrus Peels and Lemon Juice for Cleaning and Deodorizing
Besides covering oranges, tangerines and lemons, dried citrus peels can be used in cleaning, deodorizing and even as an insect repellent.
- Deodorizer – Place dried orange peels in a cloth bag and then in cupboards and closets to reduce musty smells. Dried citrus peels are also good for deodorizing a garbage disposal. Just toss some peels down your disposal as it’s running to nullify bad odors.
- Insecticide – As most insects detest the oil in citrus peel known as limonene, position small piles of them around areas where mosquitoes and flies gather. This is also a good way to ward off pests during a picnic without using commercial repellent products or insecticides.
- Lemon juice cleaning fluid – Lemon juice can be used to clean bathroom and kitchen sink fixtures. Rather than wearing yourself out trying to juice lemons, simply apply some bottled lemon juice.
Baking Soda for Cleaning Grease
Also known as bicarbonate of soda, baking soda, applied with a damp sponge, is ideal for removing grease from stoves and back splashes. Baking soda also works well for deodorizing carpets. Before going to bed, sprinkle some baking soda onto your carpet and then vacuum in the morning.
Household Stain Removers
- Soda water - Soda water can be used as a stain remover. Sponge soda water onto coffee or wine stains on your carpet and then dab it away using a clean cloth.
- Cornmeal - Cornmeal can also be effective in removing grease stains. Simply rub cornmeal on a stain and then brush it off.
Ketchup Used for Tarnishing Copper and Brass
No need to buy a commercial product for tarnishing copper and brass cookware. Squeeze out some ketchup onto a paper towel or cloth and then gently rub on pots and pans. In minutes they should go return to their natural coppery color. Rinse pots and pans with warm water, letting them towel dry.
Alka-Seltzer Used for Cleaning Sinks and Toilet Bowls
Alka-Seltzer can be used for more than soothing upset stomachs. Toss three tablets down the kitchen sink and then pour a cup of white vinegar. Wait and run hot water to clean pipes. Four tablets of Alka-Seltzer in the toilet will make your toilet bowl sparking clean.
Cleaning Oil Paintings and Polishing Shoes
- Bread crumbs - Before tossing out old bread crumbs, use them to clean oil paintings.
- Olive oil - Olive oil can be used to polish shoes. Vegetable oil also works.
Besides being economical, using common everyday household products is also easy on the environment. You’ll feel good not only saving money, but also by going “green.”
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