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stefoodie
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Paula asked in the other thread:
Paula in MN wrote:
All I have ever used is toilet bowl cleaner, windex, laundry soap, dish soap, hand soap, tub & sink cleaner, 409 wall cleaner, magic erasers, pine sol, pledge, easy off.
If I can make my own products, I will. I'm just confused as to what replaces what! |
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So here's a thread to share your recipes for replacing what with what.
I have a simple vinegar-water-essential oil formula that I use for all-around cleaning, and I tihnk somewhere in my files I've got AngieMc's oven-cleaning recipe, and Elizabeth Foss' formula for windows, detergent recipe I found somewhere on the 'net. I'll post them later if they're different from the ones you have (gotta run, baby needs me)
Share your best housecleaning recipes, please! I'll compile them and make a sticky.
Thank you!
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stef
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juststartn
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Okay! I just replied to Paula, but my favorite all-around resource for homemade cleaners is tipnut.com. I got my laundry soap recipe from there, and I double it to make a 4 galish sized batch. We use it in the washing machine, dishwasher, to scrub toilets, tubs, and sinks, and even on occasion to scrub the kitchen floor (when I forget and accidentally put the graters, pots, and bowls from making the detergent into the dishwasher without rinsing first...it got the floor clean, that was for SURE! LOL).
I don't bother with using an essential oil in my vinegar-water, since it dissipates so quickly anyway, the smell doesn't really 'wear' on me too much. But I use that mix on floors, counters/cabinet fronts, appliances, the boys' crib (they like to strip naked--'nuff said  )....
I use rubbing alcohol (straight--I just screwed a spray nozzle on to the top of the alcohol bottle, lol) for windows and mirrors (just make sure to not get the alcohol under the mirror frames, or it can eat away at the silvering over time). Anything I don't want to see streaks on, basically. 
There's a really good window cleaner out there, homemade, for those hard-to-get clean window outsides...ammonia, dish detergent, and water. I've got the recipe around here somewhere, haven't used it yet, so I don't have any experience info on it, though. I *need* to use it, but hauling the ladder around the house isn't high on my priority list most days. (I'll need a "DH at home" day for that, lol).
Baking soda and vinegar make a great drain cleaner--just put baking soda in your drain trap...shake plenty down in there. Let it sit a little while...then pour down some white vinegar. Stand back. LOL. Let it work for a few minutes, and then rinse with HOT HOT water. Drains run clear.
I use baking soda for my sinks, too, if I'm too busy to go grab the laundry soap blend.
I'm trying to think...
Oh, yes, the Turtle Wax. Definitely a "OMGoodness moment" there. I was pregnant with #3, I think, and I was so huge early on, I *knew* I was not going to be able to clean the tubs for much longer. SOOOooooOOOOOO...I scrubbed it really really really well. I mean, C-L-E-A-N. Let it dry a few minutes. Then I sprayed on (gotta use the spray kind--the bottle will last forever, too, so it is not too bad an invesment) a light coating of the Turtle Wax. JUST ON THE SIDES!!! (don't do the bottom--slippppppppperrrryyyyyyy!!!). I actually put it on the fixtures and tile, too. Rub it on, with a shop-grade rag (in other words, not one you're going to want to use next week to polish fine silver or your antique chifferobe!). Your tub/sink/whatever! will shine shine shine...and will remain clean. For months. Seriously. I am the laziest bathroom cleaner on the planet, because I absolutely HATE cleaning tubs. LOL. Anything that makes it easier for me to get away without having to contort myself, the better! (Being topheavy, leaning over that far is not only painful, it's dangerous!  ).
I'm trying to think of what else I do...Oh. I bought a self-cleaning oven. That works better. And while it smells, I'm not having to stick my head in there to deal with it, lol (I just ran the cycle on my oven last night, so that's why it came to mind, lol).
Oh...let's see. To clean the glass on your fireplace front/wood stove glass, use a damp piece of newsprint (not colored, but b/w will work) or a paper towel, dip it into the cool ashes, and rub on the dirty side of the glass. Once the ash is all smeared on there, use a clean, damp paper towel to wipe it off very thoroughly. Then clean the glass with your window cleaner of choice (mine would be the rubbing alcohol). Clean, streak free glass.
You can use baking soda to freshen carpets, put it in the bottom of trashcans to absorb odors (between the bag and the can),
Well, I think that is all I can think of now...
Oh wait! One more. Equal parts lemon juice and olive oil. Makes for a niiiiiice wood polish! Esp in old dry wood. I don't know how it would do on newer floors where the finish is still strong, but it does a bang up job on older finishes, and if the wood is worn enough, it doesn't make them slippery, either...plus, it smells delightful. Always a bonus.
Rachel
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lilac hill
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It is not homemade , but it is convenient  , I use a few drops of shampooh when I swish the toilets a few times a week.
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Viv
Wife to Rick (7/83), Mom to dd#1(6/87), dd#2(1/90), and dd#3(6/94) in central PA.
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Paula in MN
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Rachel - the equal parts lemon juice and olive oil - would that work instead of Pledge? Or only on wood floors?
Viv - I never thought about using shampoo to clean the toilets with. DUH!
The only "homemade" thing I do, and it's not even homemade, is to clean my rings with toothpaste and an old toothbrush.
I can't wait for dh to get home so I can tell him about the Turtle Wax. It's just little things like this that get me so excited!
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 Paula
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organiclilac
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juststartn wrote:
Oh, yes, the Turtle Wax. Definitely a "OMGoodness moment" there. I was pregnant with #3, I think, and I was so huge early on, I *knew* I was not going to be able to clean the tubs for much longer. SOOOooooOOOOOO...I scrubbed it really really really well. I mean, C-L-E-A-N. Let it dry a few minutes. Then I sprayed on (gotta use the spray kind--the bottle will last forever, too, so it is not too bad an invesment) a light coating of the Turtle Wax. JUST ON THE SIDES!!! (don't do the bottom--slippppppppperrrryyyyyyy!!!). I actually put it on the fixtures and tile, too. Rub it on, with a shop-grade rag (in other words, not one you're going to want to use next week to polish fine silver or your antique chifferobe!). Your tub/sink/whatever! will shine shine shine...and will remain clean. For months. Seriously. I am the laziest bathroom cleaner on the planet, because I absolutely HATE cleaning tubs. LOL. Anything that makes it easier for me to get away without having to contort myself, the better! (Being topheavy, leaning over that far is not only painful, it's dangerous! ). |
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Oh. My. GOODNESS! This is GENIUS! Cleaning the tub is the bane of my existence! THANK YOU! Turtle Wax is going on the shopping list NOW.
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JodieLyn
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Well, mostly you can simply ditch windex. Unless there's something greasy on a window (then a bit of dish soap works fine).. a bit of water and a soft cloth to DRY the window does a much better job. Leaving the soaps (and windex does have them in it) on the glass (windows or mirrors) eventually makes it very hard to get the streaks off.. plain water sprinkled on and then rubbed dry.. or if it's sticky.. using a wet cloth to wipe it down and then rub it dry works better.
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stefoodie
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Okay, here we go:
All Purpose Cleaner
1 part vinegar
1 part water
several drops essential oil
suggestions for essential oil: tea tree, lavender, peppermint, candy cane (esp. around Christmastime)
Put everything in spray bottle (use several to have different scents) and shake before use
We use this on just about everything.
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stef
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stefoodie
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Furniture Polish
1 cup of the cheapest olive oil you can find
1/3 cup lemon juice (minus seeds)
Combine in spray bottle
Shake before use
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stef
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JodieLyn
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other good essential oils for cleaners..
balsaam fir
lemon
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
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stefoodie
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Thanks, Jodie! I'll add that to the sticky.
Window cleaner
1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Combine in spray bottle
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stef
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Kristie 4
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Window Cleaning
We find that the vinegar spray sprayed on the window works the best when you use newspaper to wipe it up (especially great on outside windows!!)
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Kristie in Canada
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A Walk in the Woods
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hylabrook1
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A few drops of essential oil in the vinegar water bottle cuts that vinegar-y scent, so people don't think there is a salad in your bathroom. Seriously, plain vinegar water always makes me think "salad dressing? But I'm in the bathroom.  " Rosemary and lavender are the ones I"ve generally used.
Also, a question about the Turtle Wax on the tubs thing: is this okay for a fiberglass tub or only the porcelain ones? (or whatever it is that's the more common/older material)
This is an informative thread! I'm learning lots.
Peace,
Nancy
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stefoodie
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Toilet Bowl Cleaner
from Martha Stewart:
Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the toilet bowl, let stand a few minutes, brush, and flush. If you have hard water, let the vinegar sit for an hour, and you may have to do some light scrubbing. To remove stains, add 1/2 cup borax to the water, swish it around, and let it soak overnight.
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stef
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stefoodie
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Laundry Soap
using the soap from Virginia Soap and Scents
4 1/2 ounces of Virginia Soaps & Scents Cleaning Soap
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax powder
~You will also need a bucket, 3-5 gallon size~
Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups water and heat until the soap melts. Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until the mixture is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Add 22 cups of water and stir (22 cups = 1 gallon plus 6 cups). Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel. You use ½ cup per load.
The finished soap will be in a gel form. It is a low-sudsing soap, so is great for front-loading washers as well as the top-load variety.
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stefoodie
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I can't find Angie's oven cleaner recipe, but this one looks close:
Oven Cleaner
3 tsp Borax
1/4 cup vinegar
1/8 cup liquid dish soap
2 cups hot water
Baking soda (do not add to mix)
Directions:
* Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to mix.
* Spray mixture in oven generously.
* Sprinkle generous amounts of baking soda on top.
* Spray liquid mixture over the baking soda.
* Leave overnight.
* The next morning wipe out the cleaning mixture and wash the oven with hot soapy water.
from TipNut
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Maddie
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I have an beautiful old cast iron bathtub that used to be the biggest pain in the neck to clean as we have very hard water. I would buy Lime A Way (I think that's what it was) and don the elbow rubber gloves to clean it. A couple years back I was cleaning someones boo-boo over the tub with peroxide when some of it splashed into the tub and made the most lovely white spots in seconds! So I splashed some all over the tub and it peeled away all the mineral stains and left a bright white tub! Now to clean it, I just use a bit of dish soap, scrub, rinse then splash some peroxide in the tub to make it white again.
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JodieLyn
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I haven't used it but had sme one recommend it to me.. but here's dry laundry soap for those that prefer it.
Quote:
2 bars fels napa soap grated really fine
3 cups washing soda
3 cups borax
2 cups baking soda(makes everything smell really
clean)
Mix together really well and put in air tight
container.
Add 2 Tablespoons for light soil
Add 3 Tablespoons or 1/4 cup for a heavy soiled
load… Works great in those new washing machines
as it produces no suds ….Cleans great without
the mess and time of mixing a liquid. OH and it’s
great in COLD water too just fill machine add soap
and let it mix before putting in the clothes.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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stefoodie
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Stain Remover/Pre-Treat Solution
1 cup hot water
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
Directions:
* Mix ingredients then store in spray bottles. Spot treat stains then soak overnight.
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stef
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stefoodie
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Copper cleaner
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon flour
vinegar to make a thick paste
Rub paste on surface and let dry completely. Rinse in warm soapy water, buff with clean soft cloth.
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stef
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tissuebox
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Check into the book "Baking Soda" over 500 fabulous , fun and frugal uses you've never thought of it is a book by Vicki Lansky
Very useful
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Your Best Housecleaning Recipes, Please
