How to Clean Products Made From Ordinary Household Products
Household items are designed for a specific purpose, but many are useful in accomplishing tasks they aren't normally used for, such as cleaning. While many cleaning products are available on the market, many people use common items that are already on their shelves. Several books have been written about the many uses for products such as vinegar, baking soda, spices, and many other items that are found in most households, and cleaning is often listed as a use for these ordinary household products. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Dilute plain distilled white vinegar with equal parts of water to remove mildew and grease stains from surfaces; to clean blinds, windows and mirrors; deodorize garbage disposals; mop floors; and clean computers and other office equipment. Use vinegar full-strength to remove pet stains from carpet; clean grout; disinfect cutting boards; clean chrome, stainless steel, tubs, sinks, ceramic tile and scissors; or to remove stickers, price tags, ballpoint pen marks, and rock salt on shoes and boots. Make a paste from equal parts of vinegar and baking soda to polish brass, copper and bronze. Add a cup of white vinegar to the washer's rinse cycle to kill bacteria, brighten whites, set color, remove static cling, deodorize and soften fabrics.
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Sprinkle baking soda directly on objects; mix with water to form a paste; or mix with other products to make cleaning supplies. Clean refrigerators, counter tops, sinks, grease stains, carpet and surface stains by sprinkling baking soda and washing away dirt and stains, while eliminating odors, with a damp cloth. Put baking soda in the bottom of your garbage pail to absorb odors. Mix a cup of water and a few tablespoons of baking soda in a microwave-safe container and heat on high for three minutes to loosen food particles and remove odors; then wipe the inside of the microwave clean with a damp cloth. Combine water and baking soda in burned or scorched pots and pans, and bring it to a boil. Turn off the heat and let the solution set overnight, and then wash away the burned-on food and scorch marks.
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Remove stains, get rid of bugs and deodorize with lemons. Rub the cut side of a lemon on the surface of aluminum pans to restore the shine. Pour a cup of lemon juice into the washer to let the bleaching action of the juice remove mineral and rust discoloration from cotton, and to brighten whites. Squeeze lemon juice on windowsills, in doorways and into cracks to repel ants, and mop floors with a mixture of lemon juice and water to get rid of fleas. Place lemon peels into the garbage disposal to deodorize it.
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Mix salt with other household products or sprinkle it on objects to remove stains and make cleanup easier. Clean discolored glass by mixing a handful of salt in a quart of vinegar and letting it soak overnight. Wipe off stains in the morning. Soak dishes, cooking pans and enamel in salt water overnight or sprinkle salt on fresh spills and let it sit. Wipe away spills and stains the next day. Remove tea and coffee stains on cups and in teapots by rubbing the stain with a mixture of equal parts of salt and white vinegar.
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Tips & Warnings
Rub a lemon against a hard surface with the palm of your hand when it's at room temperature to break the membranes and increase the amount of juice you get.
Puncture the peel of a lemon with a toothpick, squeeze out the amount of juice you need and place masking tape or plastic wrap over the hole to keep the lemon from drying out.
Never mix vinegar with bleach as it can produce toxic fumes.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit hand with sponge image by sparkia from Fotolia.com
