I Swear I Clean My House. Sometimes.

I do not like to clean. I know, *shocker*, right? But, I do clean. Promise. And since I refuse to spend the hubs' hard-earned cash on expensive, super-toxic cleaners, I have scoured the internet for cleaners that:
1) are cheap, and
2) won't make my kid sick when he licks the floor.

And since I heart sharing, here are my favorite cleaning recipes:

**If not diluted properly, vinegar can etch certain surfaces, including glass. If unsure, test misture on small, inconspicuous surface.**

All-Purpose Cleaner

• 1 Cup Vinegar (Distilled White, not Apple Cider Vinegar)
• 1 Cup Water
• Spray Bottle

Pour ingredients into spray bottle. Spray mixture on surface, wipe off with towel or sponge.

Bathroom Cleaner - Perfect for Water/Soap Stains in Showers

• 1/2 Cup Vinegar (Distilled White, not Apple Cider Vinegar)
• 1/4 Cup Baking Soda
• 1/2 Gallon Water

*You can also substitute 2 Teaspoons Borax for the Baking Soda.

For bathroom mold, try:

• 1 Part Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)
• 2 Parts Water
• Spray Bottle

Combine ingredients in spray bottle. Spray on surfaces with mold, wait 1 hour, rinse off.

Surface/Counter Scrub - Clean surfaces that require a little "elbow grease"

• 1 1/2 Cup Baking Soda
• 1/2 Cup Water
• Bowl/Jar/Container

 Mix ingredients in container to create a paste. Spread over stained/dirty surface, wipe off with sponge/towel.

*For tough stains/dirt, leave paste on surface for 5-15 minutes before wiping off.

Powder Laundry Detergent

• 1 Bar Fels-Naptha Laundry Soap
• 1 Cup Borax
• 1 Cup Washing Soda
• Bowl/Jar/Container

 Finely grate bar soap into container. Add Borax and Washing Soda and store in covered container. Use 1 Tbsp. of mixture per regular load of laundry, 2 Tbsp. for large or nasty loads. Makes approximately 40 loads.

*Shake mixture gently before each load, as Borax and Washing Soda can settle to bottom of container between uses.

Liquid Fabric Softener

• 1 Cup Vinegar (Distilled White, not Apple Cider vinegar)

Pour into washing machine during rinse cycle, or pour into fabric softener dispenser if you have one of those fancy machines.

Carpet Stain Remover

• 1 Cup Vinegar (Distilled White, not Apple Cider vinegar)
• 1 Cup Water
• Spray Bottle

Combine ingredients in spray bottle. Spray directly on stained carpet. Wait at least 10 minutes, depending on stain, then clean with sponge/brush and warm soapy water.

For Heavy-Duty Stains, try:

• 1/4 Cup Vinegar (Distilled White, not Apple Cider vinegar)
• 1/4 Cup Salt
• 1/4 Cup Borax
• Bowl/Jar/Container

Combine ingredients in container to form a paste. Rub paste directly onto stained carpet, wait several hours until dry, then vacuum.

Dishwasher Soap

• 1 Part Borax
• 1 Part Washing Soda

Combine ingredients in dishwasher's soap dispenser.

*If you have hard water, increase washing soda as needed to prevent film on dishes.

Window Cleaner

• 2 Teaspoons Vinegar (Distilled White, not Apple Cider vinegar)
• 1 Quart Warm Water
• Spray Bottle

Combine ingredients in spray bottle. Spray mixture on window surface, wipe off using cotton towel or crumpled newspaper.

*Avoid cleaning windows during times of direct sunlight, or when windows are warm, as streaks will form upon drying.

 

So there ya go. Feel free to tweak the amounts according to your needs. Happy cleaning!