Spring cleaning has begun at Storybook Cottage. One main goal was to wash all the windows. I was out of window cleaner and my local grocery store has had bare shelves where cleansers used to be for weeks now. I started to remember tips and tricks my mom and grandmothers used to use. Here are Frugal Housekeeping Tips That Work.
White Vinegar
Window Cleaner: Mix equal parts of rubbing alcohol, water, and vinegar in a spray bottle, for a streak-free glass cleaner.
Toilets: Before bed sprinkle some Borax in the toilet bowl then spray white vinegar over it. In the morning, simply flush.
Hardwood floor cleaner: mix 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 tablespoon Castile soap, 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, and 2 cups warm water. Use the mixture to clean then dry with a soft cloth.
Furniture polish: Mix 3/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Mix well. Apply with a soft cloth.
Microwave cleaner: Mix equal parts of a vinegar and water solution in a microwave-safe bowl. Warm for a few minutes and then let the steam. You can then easily wipe the grime away.
Tea Kettle cleaner: Remove build-up in a kettle by using the same vinegar and water solution as above.
Showerhead cleaner: Fill a plastic sandwich bag with white vinegar and cover your shower head securing with a zip tie or rubber band. Let sit in the solution overnight. In the morning simply remove and run the shower.
Baking Soda
Simple DIY Scouring Powder: Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp cloth or sponge. Lightly rub into the surface. Rinse with water.
Crayon covered walls: Lightly scrub walls with a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda.
Grout cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Mix all the ingredients and apply the paste directly to grout. An old toothbrush works well to scrub the area. Rinse with water.
Brighten laundry: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to wash cycle to boost colors and help remove stains.
Deodorizer: Open boxes of baking soda stored in the refrigerator and musty cupboards. You can also sprinkle baking soda on carpets and mattresses. Wait 20 minutes then vacuum up to deodorize the room.
Pet smells: Baking soda is safe enough to use as a dry shampoo on pets. Sprinkle it on and brush through the coat.
Toothpaste: In a pinch make a paste in your palm with baking soda and water. Dip a toothbrush into the paste apply to teeth.
Natural spackle: mix white, non-gel toothpaste with baking soda to form a thick paste. Fill small holes in your walls. Smooth it over and allow it to dry.
Silver polish: To remove tarnish, line the bottom of a pan with aluminum foil, shiny side up. Lay down your silver in the pan. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of baking soda in 1 cup of boiling water. Pour the mixture into the dish, and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse well, and dry with a soft cloth.
Oil spills: sprinkle baking soda over the spill. Simply wipe up and clean the area with water.
Lemons
Disposal: Place one used lemon rind into the disposal and run it to get rid of smells.
Stains: To get rid of coffee and other stains in cups and mugs, pour some salt in the bottom of the cup, add a bit of lemon juice to form a paste and lightly scrub until clean.
Stainless Steel: Use olive oil with a few drops of lemon oil to polish your stainless steel kitchen appliances. You can also polish a stainless sink with half a lemon sprinkled with salt.
Cutting Boards: Use the other lemon half sprinkled with salt to clean and sanitize wooden spoons and cutting boards.
Polish copper: Simply add salt to a halved lemon and scrubbed the pot surface with the lemon. Then wash thoroughly and dry.
Smelly stained plastic: Rub a lemon over the inside of a plastic container remove stains and smells.
Floor cleaner: Mix 1 part lemon juice, 1 part vinegar, and 2 parts water. Mop as usual.
Happy spring cleaning!
Laura
You May Also Need
How To Clean An Antique Crystal Chandelier
My favorite tip for cleaning the microwave, put your squeezed out lemons in a bowl of water with plenty of extra space on top. Microwave until boiling and let boil for a minute. Then wipe down walls and ceiling and inside of door of the microwave with a rag. The steam loosens all the cooked on particles and the lemon leaves it smelling nicely!
Great tips and homemade recipes for all our cleaning needs.
I have been using baking soda, vinegar,, and peroxide to clean house with for years. But I really appreciate you tips for using lemons. I will add those now. Thank you!
When possible I use natural ingredients for cleaning. These are good recipes for cleaning products. I have several gallons of white vinegar in the garage and use it as a fabric softener and also weed killer. No nasty artificial fragrances!
Lots of great tips here dear Laura! Thanks for the cleaning recipes!
Best post ever! This one is saved for the rest of my life!