Many cleaners found in stores contain chemicals that are bad for your health and to the environment. Thankfully, there are various inexpensive alternatives to clean your home just as efficiently while protecting your health. Here are some of them:
- All-purpose cleaner – mix ½ cup of white vinegar, ¼ cup of baking soda and ½ gallon of water, then use it to clean, deodorize and disinfect surfaces. For dirtier surfaces, use only white vinegar, but remember to do a spot test first.
- Tile cleaning– make a paste of ½ water, ½ baking soda. Apply the paste to the grout, wait a few minutes or up to 2 hours (for very dirty grout), then scrub the grout with water.
- Clean the oven – take 1 teaspoon of borax, 1 tablespoon of dish liquid and 2 cups of hot water. Apply the solution and let it sit for 20 minutes, then wipe with a cloth.
- Wash windows with a solution of ½ teaspoon of liquid soap, ¼ cup of vinegar and 2 cups of water. Mix the solution into a spray bottle and use it to clean glass as you normally do. Alternatively, use rubbing alcohol.
- Polish furniture using a mix of 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 10 drops of pure lemon oil and 2-3 drops of olive oil. Use the solution and a soft cloth to wipe off the dust and give your furniture a fresh look.
- For various surfaces that are tough to clean, take 2 teaspoons of borax, 1 teaspoon of washing soda, 4 tablespoons of vinegar, ½ teaspoons of natural liquid soap and ¼ teaspoons of tea tree oil. Mix the ingredients with 2 cups of hot water into a spray bottle.
- Wash dishes with a mix of equal parts borax and washing soda. Use more washing soda if the water is hard.
These are just some of the numerous green cleaning solutions you can make in your home using products available at regular stores. To find out what solution works best for you, try to experiment more with the ingredients. Just remember to never mix ammonia with bleach! For professional fire, water and mold restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office.
