Homemade Cleaners for Kitchen Counters

Kill the invisible dangers that lurk on kitchen counters with homemade cleaning products.

The kitchen contains more germs and bacteria than any other room in your home. Raw meats and other foods on your kitchen counters contribute to that fact. You can wash your hands with soap and water after touching foods to prevent spreading the germs, but soap and water alone will not kill the germs and bacteria living on your counters. Cleaners for your kitchen counters are inexpensive, effective and easy to make at home.

Things You'll Need

• Tablespoon ammonia
• Tablespoon liquid detergent
• 2 cups water
• Spray bottle
• Paper towels
• 1/4 cup chlorine bleach
• 1/2 cup powder detergent
• Quart warm water
• Small bucket
• Sponge

Instructions

Ammonia

1. Combine 1 tablespoon of ammonia, 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent and 3 cups of water in a spray bottle.

2. Spray the prepared solution evenly on kitchen counters.

3. Wipe the surface dry with a clean paper towel to prevent streaking.

Bleach

1. Mix 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach, 1/2 cup of powder detergent and 1 quart of warm water in a small bucket.

2. Wipe the solution on kitchen counters with a clean sponge.

3. Dry the counters using a clean, dry paper towel to prevent streaks.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a diluted bleach solution of 1 teaspoon of bleach and 1 quart of water to sanitize clean counters and cutting boards.

References

• Michigan State University Extension: Homemade Cleaners
• University of Wisconsin: Cleaning Your Kitchen on a Budget
• Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Making a House a Home