Listed below are our 10 favorite cleaning hacks (which also happen to be green!) These sprays and soaks are examples of how natural household ingredients can successfully deal with some of our least favorite cleaning chores just as well, if not better than, toxic commercial chemical cleaners.
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#1. All Purpose Cleaner
This mixture (#1 of the 10 favorite cleaning hacks) works especially well on built up soap scum on glass shower doors and also works well on fiberglass. It can even lift oil stains off a concrete driveway. It will work on walls too.
Ingredients
White Household Vinegar
Liquid Blue Dawn (not ULTRA) or Liquid Joy
Directions:
Heat the vinegar in the microwave until hot and pour it into a spray bottle. (NOTE: Only use heat when mixing the ingredients, not every time you use the spray.)
Add the Dawn in a ratio of 2 parts vinegar to 1 part Dawn. If all you have is Ultra Dawn, use it in a ratio of 3 parts vinegar to 1 part Dawn.
If you would prefer Joy Dishwashing liquid (not Ultra) use it in a ratio of 1 cup vinegar, ½ cup water, ½ cup Joy. Shake the mixture gently. Spray it on, scrub, and rinse.
For really tough soap scum buildup, such as the glass door of a shower, spray the mixture on and let it sit for at least an hour, up to overnight. You may need to scrub a little with a small brush. Wipe off with a microfiber cloth rinsed in warm water. After the initial cleaning of a glass shower door, quickly wipe down with a dry microfiber cloth after each shower to keep it looking great.
Caveats:
#2 Bathroom Mold Spray
This is a very easy to make and use spray which will erase mold from your bathroom! It is also great for cleaning wood surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom.
Ingredients:
Hydrogen Peroxide (Not Chlorine Bleach)
Water
Directions:
Mix 1 part Hydrogen Peroxide to 2 parts water in a spray bottle.
Spray on affected areas. Allow to sit. Then rinse with a damp microfiber
cloth.
#3 Toilet Bowl Cleaning
TIP: The 3rd of our 10 favorite cleaning hacks goes back to the days when ABC had a full-service custodial division...
Dump a bucket full of water inside the bowl before cleaning. Gravity will make the water go down without refilling. This allows you to clean the bowl without the water getting in the way!
To clean and deodorize any toilet bowl, put ½ cup of baking soda in the toilet and then put in a cup of vinegar. The solution will foam and clean at the same time. Scrub well with a toilet brush, then flush.
#4 Messy Refrigerator Spills
Spray a solution of ½ water and ½ vinegar. Let sit. Wipe clean with a damp microfiber cloth. No scrubbing needed!
#5 Removing Water Rings from Wood
To remove those nasty white rings from wood, rub a solution of equal parts vinegar and water with (not against) the grain of the wood.
#6 Cleaning Baby's Toys
Instead of wiping down toys with
commercial chemical cleaners, try cleaning with vinegar instead. Adding a
good amount of white vinegar to warm, soapy water will disinfect and
clean baby toys.
Use an old toothbrush for hard-to-reach places. Rinse with clear water and dry.
Vinyl baby books and larger toys can be wiped clean with a damp cloth that has been soaked in vinegar.
#7 Soak for Cleaning Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Fill a clean sink with cold water. Add in
vinegar and salt and swish around with your hands. Place produce in and
let soak for approximately 30 minutes. You will find this soak will draw
out bugs, dirt, and even some wax.
An added bonus...Your fruits and vegetables will last longer!
Please read our article, Should We Be Washing Our Fruits and Veggies Before Cooking or Eating? for more information on this subject.
#8 Fabric Softener
Use white vinegar to whiten and soften your clothes. The recipe is 1 cup of white vinegar to each load.
#9 Cleaning Scorched Iron Plate
Heat equal parts white vinegar and salt in a small pan. Rub this solution onto the cooled iron surface to remove the stains.
#10 Bug Repellent Spray
Bugs are attracted to us because they like the way we smell! The toxic chemicals in commercial bug repellents work by masking our odor.
But apple cider vinegar does the same thing! The same goes for Witch Hazel, just in case you don't like the smell of vinegar (which diffuses rather quickly anyway).
Ingredients:
1/2 cup distilled water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar or witch hazel
40-50 drops of a pleasant smelling essential oil
Directions:
Add the ingredients together in an 8 oz. spray bottle and it's ready to use.
Caution:
You will need to reapply every hour or so if you plan to be outside for a long period of time.
For more cleaning hacks, see Green Cleaning Solutions and other articles on our website.
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Top of 10 Favorite Cleaning Hacks
"The Cleanest Clean You've Ever Seen."
by
ABC Oriental Rug & Carpet Cleaning Co.
130 Cecil Malone Drive Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-1566
ABC Oriental Rug & Carpet Cleaning Co. has been family-owned and operated in Ithaca and surrounding areas for more than 48 years.
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