By making our own cleaning solutions from everyday items we use and keep in our homes, we not only save money but also protect ourselves and our family from the many toxic ingredients found in store bought products. The solutions are very easy to make and use.
Use lemon juice or vinegar to remove stains, mildew, or grease streaks: Spray area with lemon juice or vinegar. Allow it to set for several minutes and then scrub area with a stiff scrub brush. Rinse well with water.
Disinfectant: Mix 2 cups of water with 3 tablespoons of liquid soap. Add 15 to 25 drops of tea tree oil. Spray on area and wipe clean with soft cloth. Rinse with water.
Use cornmeal on tough carpet spills and stains: Sprinkle an even layer of cornmeal on the stain and allow it to remain for 5 to 15 minutes. Use a vacuum to remove the cornmeal.
Use car wax to repair/remove scratches on CD’s: Apply a small amount of wax to a soft cloth. Apply the wax to the scratched areas of the CD. Wait until the wax has fully dried. Remove and buff the area with a soft cloth. Be sure to buff along the scratch. This also works for camera lenses and eyeglasses.
For antique linens:
* For stubborn stains: Spray stain with hydrogen peroxide. Allow it to remain until stain is lifted. Rinse with water.
* For soiled linens: Mix dish washing soap and Borax to get a paste like consistency. Rub on the soiled area. Let it set for 20 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water.
* For stubborn stains: Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Place item into water and allow it to steep until the stain has been lifted.
* Placing antique linens outdoors in the sun on a clean towel can also be helpful with sanitizing and stain removal. Bring the item in after 1 to 2 hours. Do not do this too often since it can cause weakness to the fabric over time.
To clean silver jewelry pieces: Place item in a small dish of ketchup. Keep the jewelry in the ketchup for 5 minutes. Use a toothbrush to clean any crevices and areas where its difficult for ketchup to reach. Rinse well with water and dry.
To remove tarnish from copper pots and pans: Rub an even layer of ketchup on tarnished areas. Remove the ketchup after 5 to 10 minutes with a soft cloth. Rinse with water and dry.
To remove tarnish from silverware: Line the kitchen sink with aluminum foil. Place silverware on the foil. Pour boiling water over the silverware. Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda and a dash of salt over the silverware. Let the silverware sit for 10 to 15 minutes. The tarnish will transfer from the silver to the foil.
Use toothpaste on tarnished silver: Apply and rub with a soft cloth. Rinse with warm water and dry.
Use baking soda and Kosher salt in place of Ajax, Comet, and other abrasive
cleaners that contain harmful chemicals.
For furniture polish: Mix a 1/2 cup of lemon juice with 1 cup of olive oil. Spray on or apply with a soft polishing cloth.
Use vodka to clean eyeglasses without leaving streaks.