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Every household gets dirty, and every household needs cleaning. But not everyone needs to buy and use all the cleaning products that are available. We have simply become accustomed to buying separate cleaners for each of a dozen parts of the house.
Some specialized cleaning products serve unique purposes. For example, dishwashing detergent does an excellent job at one task; no other kind of soap does better in its place, and it does not work nearly as well for any other job. On the other hand, some cleaning products are specialized to the point that one container may never be completely used.
While some developments in consumer products have definitely brought better results, most of the innovations touted by companies that sell cleaning products are related to packaging and fragrance. If those are not important to you, consider making your own.
Health, Safety, and Comfort
Commercial cleaners are relatively inexpensive and they work well, so you may not feel that making your own cleaning products is a good use of time. But you may have other reasons to do it yourself. Store-bought cleaners may have strong and unpleasant ingredients or added scents, or you may be concerned about allergic and asthmatic reactions to them. People with bronchitis or sinusitis may be especially sensitive.
Whether you feel that commercially made cleaners pose health risks, or you just prefer knowing what goes into the products you use, you should find the formulas listed below easy to follow, and the results should match the kind of clean you have come to expect.
Just a note of caution: if you or someone in your household is very sensitive to chemical odors or vapors, be just as careful with these products as you would be with chemically based, commercially produced cleaners.
The Basic Ingredients
Baking soda: Use as a cleaner, deodorizer, scouring powder, and water softener.
Borax (sodium borate): Use as a cleaner, deodorizer, disinfectant, and water softener; also can be used for cleaning fi nished surfaces such as wallpaper, painted walls, and fl oors.
Citrus solvent: Use for cleaning oily items such as grease stains, adhesives, and paint brushes.
Corn starch: Use for cleaning windows, shampooing rugs and carpets, and polishing furniture.
Isopropyl alcohol: Use as a disinfectant; as an alternative, use ethanol or an alcohol-water solution.
Soap: Use any soap that does not contain fragrances, phosphorus, or petroleum products for all types of cleaning tasks.
Trisodium phosphate (TSP): Use for clearing drains, removing old paint, and other jobs that would otherwise require caustic chemicals. Handle TSP with caution.
Washing soda (sodium carbonate decahydrate): Use as a grease cutter, stain remover, water softener, or surface cleaner; just don’t use it on aluminum.
White vinegar: Use for removing most grease, mildew, odors, stains, and waxes.
Recipes for Special Cleaning Jobs
The ingredients listed above are inexpensive, easy to find, and safe for use within limits. For example, TSP is safer than some equivalents, but it’s still poisonous to ingest. You can also combine these ingredients to make specialized cleaners, using the following formulas. Be sure you test each product on a small area before you use it on an entire surface or object.
In the Kitchen
Dish soap: Use unscented liquid soap; add a few drops of vinegar for greasy dishes.
Dishwasher detergent: Combine equal parts of borax and washing soda; for hard water, increase the proportion of washing soda.
Drain cleaner for metal drains: Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain; follow it with ½ cup of white vinegar. Wait 15 minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain to clear it. Note: do not use this method if you have already tried using a chemical drain cleaner.
Oven cleaner: Dampen the inside of the oven with a sponge and warm water. Make a paste of ¾ cup baking soda, ¼ cup salt and ¼ cup water; apply it to the oven walls with a sponge or damp cloth. Let sit overnight. Remove it with a spatula and wipe the surfaces clean, rubbing gently with fi ne steel wool if necessary.
Scouring powder: Use baking soda on a wet sponge to scrub surfaces without scratching.
In the Bathroom
Disinfectant: Combine two teaspoons of borax and four tablespoons of vinegar with three cups of hot water. Apply with a dampened cloth or a manual pump spray bottle.
Mold remover: Combine one part hydrogen peroxide (three percent) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Let stand 1 hour, then rinse.
Toilet cleaner: Combine two parts borax with one part lemon juice and use with a scrub brush, or apply equal parts baking soda and white vinegar and scrub.
Tub and tile cleaner: Use baking soda on a wet sponge, or use a mixture of two parts borax and one part lemon juice.
Everywhere
All-purpose cleaner: Combine ½ cup white vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda or two teaspoons borax into ½ gallon of water. Use for light cleaning on smooth surfaces.
Air freshener: Combine baking soda and lemon juice in an open dish, and place it near the source of unwanted odors. Replace often.
Carpet cleaner: Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture directly on the stain and let sit for several minutes. Scrub with a brush or sponge and warm, soapy water. For heavy stains, combine equal parts salt, borax, and vinegar to form a paste. Rub it into the carpet and let it dry, then vacuum.
Furniture polish: Add a few drops of lemon oil to a ½ cup of warm water. Mix well and use to dampen a soft cotton cloth. Wipe furniture with damp cloth; follow with a dry, soft cloth.
Glass cleaner: Mix two teaspoons of white vinegar with one quart warm water; apply with a clean cloth and wipe dry.
Hardwood fl oor polish: Combine equal parts white vinegar and vegetable oil; rub in.
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