The Essential Homemade Cleaning Products Kit

These everyday items from your cupboard can double as great homemade cleaning products

It's pretty much common knowledge that natural products can make excellent homemade cleaners. But what some people still don't know is that they can work even better than their store bought counterparts. They're certainly less expensive, as well!

Not only that, but natural cleaners are more environmentally friendly, mainly due to the fact that they are mostly biodegradable and aren't mass produced. Green cleaners also don't release toxic fumes into the atmosphere.

A toxic reaction from unnatural cleaners is very common, and can irritate the throat and even bring on symptoms of asthma! Why not make your home a friendly environment for everyone?

Remember to test all homemade cleaning products on a hidden area before using, and for safety always wear rubber gloves!!

The Homemade Cleaning Products Kit

Bicarbonate of soda

Neutralizes acid stains and counteracts smells. For general cleaning, dissolve a heaped teaspoonful in 1/2 pint (275ml) of warm water. This is excellent for fridges and work surfaces. For stains use neat on a damp cloth or apply mixed with a little water to make a paste.

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite)

kills germs, removes stains and destroys mold and mildew. Use neat for lavatories or paths, or diluted for soaking white cotton and linens.

Borax

Softens water and breaks down grease. Use it on enamel sinks and baths, glass and tiles. Pour a hot solution down sinks and drains to prevent blockages.

Lemon

Contains citric acid, brilliant for restoring tarnished metal or removing lime scale. Use neat or in water, depending on the extent of the problem, or dip piece of lemon in salt for a mild abrasive action.

Linseed oil

Feeds and protects natural wood

Methylated spirits

An alcohol that should be handled with care,its flammable so dispose of any rags you may used. Use it to shift sticky marks and stubborn labels, glue residues and ink from felt tips.

Salt

Scouring with salt removes stains from dishes and chopping boards,and it can be used with lemon to in crease its effectiveness.

Soda crystals - Washing soda

Wonderful for cleaning sink wastes and drains and soaking soiled laundry, but they're very strong. Avoid contact with aluminum because soda can pit the surface.

Turpentine

A useful solvent. You're more likely to find white spirit in use today, both can be used as homemade cleaning products.

White vinegar

One of the most versatile remedies, it's ideal for removing grease marks from tiles, windows, furniture and floors. For general cleaning, add one teaspoon full of white vinegar to1/2 pint(275ml)of warm water, for stubborn dirt, use half water half vinegar.

My Eco Friendly And Money Saving Homemade Cleaning Products

I try to only make enough for what I'm going to use so I won't have to store left overs. However, homemade cleaning products like the furniture polish and glass cleaner may be made up and stored in spray bottle containers for convenience.

Furniture Polish

Mix a teaspoon of lemon juice with a glass of vegetable oil.

Kettle descaler

Cover elements with equal parts of water and vinegar and bring to the boil. Unplug and leave overnight. Rinse thoroughly and refill with water, boil and empty again before using.

Glass Cleaner

Mix a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with a quart of water.

Silver Polish

Boil 2 or 3 inches of water with a teaspoon each of salt and baking soda. plus some aluminum foil. Add silver and leave boiling for a few minutes.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Use your regular toilet brush with baking soda. Or 4 Alka-seltzers down the toilet left for an hour then brushed will bring your toilet up sparkling.

Some Quick Tips

A marble in the kettle helps prevent furring.
Lay raw potato slices over mud marks on carpets to help remove them.
Stale bread will remove marks from wallpaper.
Shoe polish or soft crayon will disguise damage to wood.
Dip diamonds in gin to make them sparkle.
Olive oil brings a shine to brass.
Lemon juice and salt will clean cane.
3 Alka-Seltzer tablets down the kitchen sink followed by a cup of white vinegar, leave for a few minutes then run hot water to clean pipes.

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