There are five main ingredients that can be used to make all the household cleaning solutions listed below. They include:
- Baking soda: Cleans and deodorizes, softens water to increase the number of suds and the general cleaning power of soap.
- Borax: This is an excellent disinfectant, and it is also good for cleaning, deodorizing and it softens water.
- Soap: This is the non-toxic, biodegradable type of soap, and should not contain any synthetic scents, colours or other additives. It can be sold as liquid, flakes, powder or in bars.
- Washing soda: Easily cuts through grease and removes stains. It also disinfects, and softens water. In its purest form, it is known as sodium carbonate.
- White vinegar or lemon juice: Is great at cutting through grease and freshening.
Recipes for non-toxic cleaning alternatives
General household cleaner
Mix together:
¼ cup baking soda
½ cup borax
½ cup vinegar
4 litres water
Tip: For scouring, scatter a little moist salt or baking soda onto the surface and rub with a green scouring pad.
Window cleaner
Mix together:
2 teaspoons vinegar
1 litre warm water
Tip: To prevent streaking, rub the windows dry with newspaper.
Oven cleaner
Mix together:
2 tablespoons liquid soap
2 teaspoons borax
1 litre warm water
Spray the solution on the walls and door of the oven, wait for 20 minutes for it to take action, and then clean. For hard-to-remove stains, scrub with fine steel wool and baking soda.
Drain cleaner
Pour the following ingredients into the drain:
¼ cup baking soda
½ cup vinegar
Cover drain and let sit for 15 minutes, and then conclude by pouring two litres of boiling water down the drain.
Air freshener
For an air freshening spray, simmer cinnamon sticks, orange peel and cloves in some water for about 30 to 45 minutes. Strain the water, let it cool and pour it into a spray bottle. If you would like to make a concoction that will absorb odours, place two to four tablespoons of baking soda into a small bowl and place in the fridge or near the offending area. Remove the foul smell of rubbish bins by pouring a ½ cup baking soda in the bottom of trash cans.
Basin, bath and tile cleaner
Mix together:
½ cup baking soda
Three tablespoons liquid soap
Mildew remover
Dissolve together:
½ cup vinegar
½ cup borax
1 litre warm water
Spray on affected areas, leave to take action and wipe clean using a green scourier.
Carpet cleaner
Mix together:
¼ cup liquid soap
5 tablespoons water
Using an egg beater, whip the ingredients together in bowl. Briskly rub the foam into any problem areas of the rug, and rinse well with water.
Wooden furniture polish
Mix two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice. After rubbing the mixture in, let it stand overnight and then polish with a soft, dry cloth.
Tip: To remove water stains, rub toothpaste onto the affected area.
Metal polish
Silver: Rub toothpaste on silver, let it dry and rinse off.
Copper: Rub lightly with fine table salt, wetted with vinegar and lemon juice.
Chrome: Rub on alcohol, or a small amount of ammonia, with hot water.
Brass: Mix equal parts salt and flour, with a little vinegar.
Laundry soap
As the machine is filling, add 1/3 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate) to the water. Add your clothes, and then add 1½ cups of soap. If the water is hard, add another ¼ cup soda or ¼ cup vinegar during the first rinse. For heavily soiled clothes, pre-soak the items in warm water with ½ cup washing soda for 30 minutes, and then rub the soiled areas with liquid soap before placing items in the washing machine. Instead of using fabric softener, add one cup vinegar or ¼ cup baking soda during the washing machine´s final rinse.
Source: Property24
The liveeco team
