Have you ever wondered how members of our grandparents’ generations were able to clean their homes, furnishings, clothes, and everything else without the hundreds of chemicals used in our modern cleaning product? With basic ingredients and simple recipes they were able to eliminate stains; soften fabric; cut grease; remove rust and lime deposits; fight germs, molds, and bacteria; and clean practically everything we can today. It’s not necessary to have harsh chemicals to keep your home clean and fresh. Try these effective homemade cleaning sprays and solutions; the results will simply amaze you.

 

All-purpose kitchen spray cleaner: mix 1 cup distilled white vinegar and 1 cup water. Use to clean countertops, stoves, refrigerators, and all kitchen surfaces.

Kitchen Sanitizer: Use full-strength white vinegar to kill germs and bacteria on kitchen counters, stoves, and cutting boards.

Glass cleaner: Mix 1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol, 1 cup water, and 1 tablespoon vinegar. For a stronger glass cleaner replace the vinegar with 1 tablespoon clear, non-sudsing ammonia.

Kitchen Floor: Mix ½ cup white vinegar with 1 gallon hot water to safely clean hardwood, linoleum, tile, and laminate flooring.

Oven Cleaner: Make a paste with 1 tablespoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon salt, and ½ cup hot water. Turn the oven to 200 degrees after applying, cool, and wipe with a damp rag.

Stainless Steel: To remove water spots, wipe with full-strength vinegar.

Burned Pots and Pans: Cover burned area with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and soak overnight.

Garbage Disposal Deodorizer: Pour ½ cup hot white distilled vinegar into disposal. Let sit for 5 minutes, then run hat water down the disposal.

Microwave Interior: In a microwave safe bowl, mix 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. Place inside the microwave and bring to a rolling boil. The baked-on food loosens and will wipe away, and any odors will disappear.

Plastic Containers: To remove stains and odor from food containers, wipe with a cloth dampened with full strength vinegar.

Silver Cleaner: Make a paste of three parts baking soda and one part water. Rub the silver with the paste, then rinse with warm water; dry with a soft cloth.

Polish for Brass and Copper: Mix 2 tablespoons ketchup and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Rub on with a soft, clean cloth until dry and shiny.

 

Bathtub Rings: Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge to remove rings; for tougher grime, make a paste with baking soda and water and apply to tub or sink and allow to sit for 10-20 minutes.

Bathtub Sliding Glass Door: Spray a mixture of ¼ cup vinegar with ¾ cup hot water, then wipe. This quickly removes hard water stains.

Mildew on Window Sills and Frames: To remove mold and prevent it from returning, make a paste of borax powder with a little water. Apply the paste and scrub the area with a stiff brush; wipe clean. This should keep mold from forming for about six months.

 

Rust Stains: To remove rust stains from sinks, bathtubs, shower stalls, and toilets, make a paste with vinegar and cream of tarter. Rub in and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse with water.

Scrubbing power: For fiberglass bathtubs, use baking soda on a damp cloth or sponge. It won’t scratch the surface, but it does have enough abrasion to remove the grime. This works on Plexiglas as well.

Ceramic tile Cleaner: In 1 gallon of water, add ½ cup vinegar and 1 cup non-sudsing ammonia. Spray or apply with a sponge and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse with water.

 

Grease Stains: Pre-treat stains with a baking soda paste, or, to help with overall cleaning, add 1 cup baking soda to large loads of laundry.

Brighten and Soften Clothes: Add ½ cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle to brighten colors, soften fabric, and decrease the amount of lint on clothing.

Washing Machine: Clean soap scum from your washer by running it through a cycle with ½ white vinegar added to the water.

 

Spot and Stain remover: To remove non-oily stains from the carpet, spray a solution of 1 teaspoon liquid detergent, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1 cup warm water. Let stand for about two minutes and gently rub with a soft brush. Rinse the area with a towel moistened with water and blot dry.

Pet Stains: After blotting the area with a cloth, spry on a mixture of equal parts vinegar and cool water. Blot again, rinse, and let dry. The vinegar will neutralize the odor as well.

Freshen or Remove Odors: Mix ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup salt (depending on rug or carpet size). Sprinkle on the carpet, let sit at least 30 minutes, and then vacuum.