Make it yourself cleansers

Are you tired of paying way too much for cleaning products?  How about making them yourself.  These cleaners, not only are very inexpensive to make, but they work great.  They also don't have the chemicals that most store bought cleaners have.  It is always best to test these out on a small inconspicuous spot first.  Have fun!

Caution:  Never mix bleach and ammonia products.  They will produce toxic fumes.

Super Clean Scrub

1/2 a lemon

1/2 cup of borax

Dip lemon into the borax, scrub and rinse.  Do not use on marble or granite. 

Glass Cleaner

1/4 cup alcohol

1/2 cup white vinegar

2 cups water

Add a few drops of an essential oil, orange or lemon makes it smell great. 

Combine all ingredients and keep in a clean spray bottle.  Some leave the alcohol out but it does help removing the streaks.

Hints:  Wipe one side of the glass vertically and the other side horizontal.  This way you will know which side needs to be wiped again.  Newspaper instead of paper towel  will leave fewer streaks.  Do not wash windows on a hot sunny day.  The solution will dry too fast and will streak.

Floor Cleaner

Mix 1/2 cup ammonia with 1 gallon of hot water.  No rinsing needed.  Great for vinyl floors.

Carpet Freshener

3/4 baking soda

1/4 cup talcum powder with fragrance

2 Tbs cornstarch

Sprinkle on dry carpet; let it sit for about 10 minutes then vacuum.  Make extra and store in an air tight container.  Do not put baking soda on any wet spots on the carpet.

Sweet Smelling Cleanser

1 cup of baking soda or salt (salt is a little more abrasive)

1 - 2 drops of essential oil

Mix together using a wire whisk.  Store in a small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.  If the fragrance fades, add another drop of oil

Tough Grease Cutting

Dilute a teaspoon of ammonia with a pint of water.

Super Scrubber

Mix 1/4 cup of salt with 2 tablespoons of vinegar.  This should remove hard water stains.

Brass Cleaner

White vinegar or lemon juice

Salt

With a sponge wetted with vinegar or lemon juice, add salt, and gently rub onto the surface.  Rinse well with water and completely and immediately dry with a soft towel.