If you’ve ever asked a grandparent what they used to clean theirs homes, we’ll bet it didn’t involve commercial brands we use today. To get back to an era where household products are the safe products to use for cleaning is part of the “green” revolution.
Below are a few tips to combat dirt and grime in between your professional cleanings. We bet you’ll be surprised at how well these tricks work.
1. Bathtub scrub: 1 grapefruit and 1/2 cup kosher salt. Cut the grapefruit in half and sprinkle the salt over top of the cut end. Scrub away then rinse. Squeeze the juice over handles and fixtures before scrubbing.
2. Sticky, greasy kitchens: for cabinets and stovetops, fill spray bottle with undiluted vinegar, spray, let sit, then wipe away. For range hoods and appliances, put baking soda on damp sponge and wipe. Vegetable oil can combat grease. Pour some onto a paper towel and wipe away stains.
3. Safe wood polish: 1 lemon, olive oil and water, small container with air-tight lid, strainer and microfiber cloth. Cut lemon in half and squeeze juice into container. Add tablespoon of oil and water. Put lid on and shake well. Pour small amount onto cloth and wipe away.
4. Clothing grease stains: white chalk works wonders for absorbing grease stains on clothes. Rub the stain with the chalk and throw the garment into the wash for a regular wash cycle.
5. Homemade air freshener: 1 oz. gin, vodka or rubbing alcohol, 6 oz. filtered water and 20-40 drops of oil, either peppermint, jasmine or citrus oils. Mix in a spray bottle and keep for at least a month.
6. Combating rust: using aluminum foil and white vinegar, dip foil into vinegar and wipe away. Or, you can try salt and lime by sprinkling salt on the rust and then squeeze the lime over the salt. Let sit for 2-3 hours and then remove salt with the lime rind.
7. Homemade all-purpose cleaner: 2 cups water, 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup lemon juice. Mix the ingredients and fill a spray bottle. The hydrogen peroxide is what cleans and it’s a safe and readily available product.
8. Good smelling laundry: spray lavender water onto clothes in the wash before starting the cycle. The scent will last a long time after the clothes have been washed.
9. Combating sink soap scum: sprinkle baking soda, vinegar or kosher salt onto surface, scrub and rinse.
10. Mold or mildew removal: mix 1/2 cup borax and 1/2 cup vinegar to make paste. Scrub with brush and rinse.
