All-purpose Cleaner
- 7 cups warm water
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup household ammonia
Combine ammonia, baking soda and 1 cup of warm water in a 1/2 gallon jug. Cap and shake vigorously until well mixed. Add remaining water. Label the jug for future use.
To use, pour 1/2 cup of the mixture into 1 - 1 1/2 gallons hot water. Be sure to test a small area of delicate surfaces such as wallpaper.
All-purpose Disinfectant
- 1-1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent
- 1 quart hot water
- 1-1/3 cup pine oil
Mix detergent and water and stir slowly until detergent is completely dissolved. If the mixture gets foam, stop stirring and skim off the bubbles. Gradually add pine oil and mix well.
To use, dilute using 1 part disinfectant with 1 part water, except when cleaning high bacteria areas such as toilet bowls, etc. Store in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Keep out of reach of small children. Good for use on countertops and floors.
Aluminum Cleaner
- 1/4 cup soap flakes
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup cream of tarter
Combine cream of tartar and baking soda. Add vinegar and mix to form a soft paste. Add soap flakes and transfer to a jar or bottle with a solid lid. Label for future use.
To use, apply with a steel wool pad, then rinse off. Store out of reach of children.
Carpet Stain Remover/Cleaner
If the mess/stain is still wet, sprinkle with baking soda. Allow to dry, then vacuum. If stain is old and dry, saturate with club soda and scrub with a wet cloth. Then sprinkle baking soda on and allow to dry.
Comb & Brush Cleaner
- 1 pint (16 fluid oz.) water
- 1/4 cup household ammonia
- 1/4 tsp shampoo or liquid detergent
Mix all ingredients in a bowl or jar. Set comb or brush in the liquid and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes. Remove from the liquid and clean the brush by scraping with a comb (and vice versa). Rinse with warm water and allow to dry before using.
Drain Cleaner
Formula #1:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup salt
- 1/4 cup cream of tarter
Place all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake vigorously until well mixed. To use, pour 1/4 cup of the mixture into the drain, followed by 2 cups boiling water. Wait 1 minute, then rinse with tap water.
Formula #2:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup of vinegar
- 2 quarts boiling water
Plunge stuck drain first. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by the vinegar and then boiling water.
Marjorie Hall, Mizall@webtv.net, recommends: Put 1/2 cup baking soda in drain. Add 2 cups vinegar. Let stand about 5 minutes. Run hot water in the drain for several minutes.
Furniture Cleaner
- 1 cup linseed oil
- 2/3 cup turpentine
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl. Use a soft cloth to apply to wood surfaces, rubbing to remove dirt and excess polish. Removes surface dirt and grime from finished wood. Store in a tightly covered jar.
Glass Cleaner
- 1 gal. water
- 1 pint vinegar
- 1 qt. ammonia
--or--
- 1 qt. water
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1 cup ammonia
Cheap and works great! Always use newspaper to wipe dry. Contributed by Wpcoop2000@aol.com Grease Solvent
- 2 tbsp liquid gel soap (recipe here)
- 3 tbsp cornmeal
- 1 tsp glycerin
Combine ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Removes stubborn grease/oil stains from your skin. (See also Mechanic's Hand Cleanser.)
Jewelry Cleaner
- 1 tbsp dishwashing detergent
- 1 tbsp washing soda (sodium carbonate)
- 1 tbsp household ammonia
- 3 cups warm water
Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Pour into a glass jar and cover tightly. Label jar for future use and keep out of reach of children. To use, soak jewelry in the solution for 1-10 minutes (depending on how tarnished it is). Swish intricate pieces in the solution to get into the cracks/crevices.
Use a toothbrush or a well-washed mascara brush for hard to reach places. Rinse and dry with a soft clean cloth. Don't soak pearls in this solution. Rub them gently with a soft chamois cloth dampened in the solution. Do not combine this solution with chlorine bleach - hazardous fumes will result!
Tile & Grout Cleaner
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/3 cup household ammonia
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 7 cups warm water
Combine ingredients in a gallon container. Cover tightly and shake or swish to mix ingredients. Label for future use and keep out of reach of children. NOTE: Do not combine this mixture with anything containing bleach.
To use, fill a spray bottle with the solution. Spray directly onto tile surface, then wipe with a damp sponge or cloth. Eliminates grimy soap film.
Toilet Bowl Cleaners
formula 1: to remove rust stains or hard water
- 1 cup borax
- white vinegar
Add white vinegar to borax to make a thick past.
Brush past all around the inside of toilet and allow to sit overnight.
Scrub, then rinse toilet next morning
Submitted by Marvel Selke of treehuggerz.com
formula 2:
- 1 tbsp household ammonia
- 1 cup hyrdogen peroxide
- 2 quarts water
Mix ingredients in a bucket, then slowly pour solution into the toilet bowl. Let stand for 30 minutes, then scrub inside of bowl with a scrub brush and flush. For stubborn stains, let stand for several hours. Use regularly to clean and disinfect.
Basic Laundry Detergent
1 Cup soap flakes
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
Soft Water Laundry Detergent
1 cup soap flakes
1/4 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
Hard Water Laundry Detergent
1 cup soap flakes
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
Liquid Laundry Detergent
1 cup of any of the above mixes
2 Tbs glycerin
2 cups warm water |
