Not a whole lot of people genuinely enjoy cleaning their home. It can be a great feeling to know that your home is clean, but the path to getting there can be a hassle. And many things need to be done on a regular, sometimes even daily, basis. And all that cleaning is going to require that you go through a large amount of cleaning products.
The problem with cleaning products, however, is that many of them contain harsh chemicals that can have undesirable effects on both the environment and the human body. But there are some cleaners that can be made with common, natural ingredients that have proven to be just as effective as those made with chemicals. Especially if you have pets or children, you may want to give them a shot.
The most common ingredients in homemade cleaners are salt, baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar and, of course, water. Combining these in various ways, sometimes with other additives, can allow you to clean practically any surface in your home in an environmentally-friendly way.
For glass surfaces, a good solution is made of half a gallon of water and 4 or 5 tablespoons of lemon juice. You may have heard about using old newspapers to wipe them down, but this is simply a bad idea. It can leave a big, shredded, inky mess. An old-fashioned wash cloth or an old shirt is a much better option.
Wooden furniture can lose some of its luster as it gets old. You can give it new life by polishing it up, but many store-bought polishes are odorous and full of chemicals. Try making your own by mixing 1/3 lemon juice with 2/3 olive oil. It works, it smells great, and you could dip a piece of bread in it if you wanted.
Some furniture is made with vinyl pieces. If you find them covered in stains, a cloth doused in pure lemon juice is often enough to get it back to looking great.
Even more so than wood polishes, metal polishes are made with strong, industrial ingredients. But before you decide to buy the harsh stuff to remove tarnish from metal surfaces, try using a simple paste composed of equal parts vinegar, flour and salt. Scrub the mixture on the metal with a soft cloth. Sometimes, even pure vinegar or lemon juice is enough to remove light tarnish from copper.
If you have a fireplace that you regularly use, you may begin to notice a buildup of smoke and soot stains on the wall around it. To remove these, try making a paste out of cream of tartar and water. Smear the paste over the stains, let it dry, and then scrub it off to remove the dark streaks.
As a last little bonus, you can use vinegar to absorb the fumes from fresh paint. You can leave an open bowl or cup of it in a room that is being painted, or was just freshly-painted, help make the smell more tolerable. If you leave for a long period, be sure to replace it with a fresh container midway through.
The problem with cleaning products, however, is that many of them contain harsh chemicals that can have undesirable effects on both the environment and the human body. But there are some cleaners that can be made with common, natural ingredients that have proven to be just as effective as those made with chemicals. Especially if you have pets or children, you may want to give them a shot.
The most common ingredients in homemade cleaners are salt, baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar and, of course, water. Combining these in various ways, sometimes with other additives, can allow you to clean practically any surface in your home in an environmentally-friendly way.
For glass surfaces, a good solution is made of half a gallon of water and 4 or 5 tablespoons of lemon juice. You may have heard about using old newspapers to wipe them down, but this is simply a bad idea. It can leave a big, shredded, inky mess. An old-fashioned wash cloth or an old shirt is a much better option.
Wooden furniture can lose some of its luster as it gets old. You can give it new life by polishing it up, but many store-bought polishes are odorous and full of chemicals. Try making your own by mixing 1/3 lemon juice with 2/3 olive oil. It works, it smells great, and you could dip a piece of bread in it if you wanted.
Some furniture is made with vinyl pieces. If you find them covered in stains, a cloth doused in pure lemon juice is often enough to get it back to looking great.
Even more so than wood polishes, metal polishes are made with strong, industrial ingredients. But before you decide to buy the harsh stuff to remove tarnish from metal surfaces, try using a simple paste composed of equal parts vinegar, flour and salt. Scrub the mixture on the metal with a soft cloth. Sometimes, even pure vinegar or lemon juice is enough to remove light tarnish from copper.
If you have a fireplace that you regularly use, you may begin to notice a buildup of smoke and soot stains on the wall around it. To remove these, try making a paste out of cream of tartar and water. Smear the paste over the stains, let it dry, and then scrub it off to remove the dark streaks.
As a last little bonus, you can use vinegar to absorb the fumes from fresh paint. You can leave an open bowl or cup of it in a room that is being painted, or was just freshly-painted, help make the smell more tolerable. If you leave for a long period, be sure to replace it with a fresh container midway through.
About the Author:
Having a spotless home can make you feel great. Owning the home of your dreams is also a good motivation to keep up with the regular cleaning and maintenance. Garrette Custom Homes Puget Sound constructs custom homes in Puget Sound, and could be the key to finding the home of your dreams.
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