Home Cleaning DIY

magical carpet cleaner

1. Scrape up the liquid (I had already done this weeks ago).

2. Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on stain to let absorb for 10 minutes and then vacuum.

3. Mix one tablespoon clear dishwashing liquid and one tablespoon white vinegar with two cups of warm water.

4. Using a white cloth (I strongly believe in microfiber washcloths), sponge the stain with the detergent/vinegar solution and blot until all the liquid is absorbed.
5. Sponge off with cold water and blot dry.

Homemade dishwasher detergent (soap) recipe

• 1 cup borax
• 1 cup washing soda
• 1/2 cup citric acid
• 1/2 cup kosher salt
• 1/4 cup Oxi-Clean

Fill rinse agent compartment with white vinegar.

cleaning shower heads

Fill bag with vinegar and let soak for 1 hour and then wipe down.  Then wipe down the rest of the fixtures

WINDEX

• 1/8 c White Ammonia ($1 at Walmart for a huge bottle)
• 1/4 c Rubbing Alcohol
• 1 drop Laundry Detergent
• Water - To Fill The Bottle
  
  

  Glass Top Stove Cleaning

  

  1. Bowl & Hot Soapy Water
  2. Baking Soda
  3. A Cleaning Rag
  4. Gloves (I didn’t use any because I thought baking soda wouldnt be harsh on my hands.. but I was wrong, so try to use gloves, you’ll thank me later)

  Cleaning a Micro Fiber Couch

  
  

  

  
  

  Step 1: Vacuum with a brush attachment to remove any hair/crumbs/etc
  Step 2: Spray rubbing alcohol onto the dirty area
  This sounds a bit crazy, but it's key. The alcohol won't saturate the fabric and evaporates much quicker than water so it won't leave a mark. Just test in an inconspicuous spot if you're worried about colorfastness.
  Step 3: Rub vigorously with a clean scrub spongeMake sure the scrubbing surface is white or the color could transfer.Plus you'll be able to see all the grime coming off your furniture. Be prepared to be grossed out (and secretly thrilled) - this sponge was white before!
  Step 4: Let the area dry completely
  The fabric may look stiff or dark in places, but the next step will take care of that.
  Step 5: Rub with a clean, soft scrub brush in a circular motion
  Again, be sure to use a brush with white bristles to avoid discoloration. This step fluffs up the surface of the fabric to make it soft again.

  
  

  Furniture Polish

  • 1/4 cup white vinegar (or 1/2 cup lemon juice)
  • 3/4 cup olive oil

  Mix and polish with soft cloth

  All-Purpose Floor Cleaner

  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1 gallon water

  Mix and mop (Note: Vinegar should not be used on grout or marble)

  Wood Floor Cleaner

  • Few drops of dish soap
  • 1 gallon of warm water

  Mix and damp mop

  
  

  LOVE my Swiffer!

  
  

  I love my Swiffer, but I also like to use my own cleaning solution.  Sometimes I want bleach, sometimes I want something that is not harsh.  Also the Swiffer "juice" can get pricey . . . . .this is how you can reuse your Swiffer bottle:

  Dip the tip of an empty Swiffer Wetjet solution bottle into boiling water for about 10 seconds and the lid twists off (use a towel).

  I love my Swiffer, but felt like I was killing trees, so you can make your own reusable Swiffer pads 

  

  I like things easy - these are EASY!:

  

  For the Swiffer wet jet reusable pad, add an extra layer of fleece to absorb liquid and make sure you leave hole for the spray to come out (I forgot the first time I made them)

  
  

  Homemade All-purpose cleaner

  
  

  2T vinegar

  1 t Borax

  Hot water

  a few drops of a mild dish detergent (I use a VERY smelly one then you don't need essential oils)

  10 drops of essential oil, optional 

  
  

  In a 16 spray bottle put vinegar, borax and  hot water.  Swish around until borax has dissolved.  Add the drops of dish detergent and fill the rest of the bottle with water.  Add the essential oil (I like using orange or lavender). 

  
  

  Or use for your homemade cleaning wipes

  
  

  Home Made Cleaning Wipes

  I am ashamed to say that I love Clorox wipes - I have at least a year stock pile of them.  I have been making all my own cleaning supplies and I was wondering about making my own wipes . . . . . .
  Well here they all:
  
  
  
  Cut Paper Towels in 1/2 (I recommend the nice kind  - not the cheap kind)
  
  
  
  Put them in the container
  
  
  
  Add your own cleaning liquid (recipes to follow)
  
  Then remove cardboard center after it is wet and use just like the store bought ones!

  
  

  Tub Scrub (Totally Love this):
  
   Add one teaspoon of dish washing liquid soap to one cup of baking soda. Add just enough water to form a paste, and use it with a sponge or brush to scour bathtub surfaces. Use it in your toilet as well - VERY SHINY!

1 part Dawn dishwashing liquid

2 parts HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

a little some baking soda (of course!) for the extra scrubbing element...

DIY Febreeze:

1/8 Cup of Your Favorite Fabric Softener
2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
Hot Tap Water - To Fill the Bottle to the Top

Laundry Soap:

4  Cups - hot tap water

1  Fels-Naptha soap bar

1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*

½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water.

     Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax.

     Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water.

     Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water.

     Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled.

     Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

     *Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" 

      Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

Fabric Softener:

1 cup water
1 cup baking soda
2 cups white vinegar
20 drops of essential oil of your choice
 

Choose a container with ample room to ensure that there’s enough room for the chemical reaction that will occur. Combine the above ingredients, beginning with the water, essential oil and baking soda and then very slowly adding the vinegar to avoid the volcano effect.
 

Use 1/2 cup in the rinse cycle of your washer or wet a washcloth and throw it in the dryer with your clothes.

Homemade dryer sheets:

Take your favorite liquid fabric softener and soak an old hand towel or flour cloth completely with it. Wring it out and let it dry completely, then throw it in with your next load. This mega-fabric softener sheet should be good for at least 40 loads of laundry, stretching out softener use and lessening waste.

Homemade Oxi-Clean

1 cup water

1/2 cup peroxide

1/2 cup baking soda