I don't have time to mess around with a ton of cleaners at my house. I want something that will clean up a mess and disinfect. I want my kids to be able to help me clean without me being afraid they will breath, drink or get it in their eye.
So here is what I use for an all purpose cleaner.
1/2 Tablespoon Baking Soda
1/4 Cup Vinegar
1 Teaspoon Dish Soap
Water
Mix the soap and vinegar together first in the bottle. I put them in and then swirl the bottle until it is pretty well mixed. Then drop in the Baking Soda. Yes, this will react for a little while. Just set it in your sink until it is done bubbling over. Now, add water until the bottle is almost full. Swirl it around a bit. Put the sprayer back on. Clean away!
Showing posts with label cleaning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cleaning. Show all posts
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Window Cleaner
Have you also found that just because it is blue, doesn't mean it leaves your windows and mirrors clean and streak free? And while Windex is better than most brands, I was still never all that impressed.
I have found that I do appreciate this easy cleaner for washing windows and mirrors. It is also not a bad way to go for cleaning stinky messes up.
1 part water
1 part vinegar
Pour the water and vinegar into a spray bottle. Put the lid on. Shake it up. Clean away!
I have found that I do appreciate this easy cleaner for washing windows and mirrors. It is also not a bad way to go for cleaning stinky messes up.
1 part water
1 part vinegar
Pour the water and vinegar into a spray bottle. Put the lid on. Shake it up. Clean away!
Dishwasher Detergent
I think this works as well as, if not better than the detergents I have purchased at the store. It is only two ingredients, and super easy to make, not to mention a LOT cheaper than the stuff you can buy at the store.
Mix equal parts Borax and Washing Soda. Done.
Use 1 tablespoon of this mix for each load. I put it in the cup in the dishwasher, then I pour 1/4 cup vinegar over it and start the machine.
We also use vinegar in the rinse cycle.
If you are going to do a load of dishes that need more "scrubbing power" add some Kosher Salt.
Mix equal parts Borax and Washing Soda. Done.
Use 1 tablespoon of this mix for each load. I put it in the cup in the dishwasher, then I pour 1/4 cup vinegar over it and start the machine.
We also use vinegar in the rinse cycle.
If you are going to do a load of dishes that need more "scrubbing power" add some Kosher Salt.
Laundry Detergent
Well, I am in a tip giving mood. So, if anyone cares, you can see how I have begun to make a few more things than just food. I did a bit of research online, and here are some things we now make at home rather than buy at the store.
My laundry detergent is easy peasy. It can be made in a whopping 15 minutes, although it does take a few hours to cool.
Tools needed:
1 stock pot (big enough to hold a gallon of water)
1 big wooden spoon
1 grater (actually chose to use a cheese grater that makes fancy shredded cheese, but I wonder if a food processor would do the same thing)
1 measuring cup (I use one that holds 4 gallons)
Ingredients
1/2 gallon of boiling water
1/2 bar of soap (i.e. dove body soap- or you can use 1/4 of a bar of Fels Naphtha)
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 gallon of cold water
Instructions
mix the finely shredded soap with the boiling water. Stir until the soap dissolves. Stir in the borax and washing soda. Mix it all together and simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat. Mix in the cold water. Stir until it is all mixed up. If you store it in another container go ahead and pour it into your container for storage. I use the stock pot to store mine. Let it cool for a few hours, stirring it whenever you think of it (if you don't stir it, I find that it gets pretty clumpy on top and watery on bottom). When it is cool to the touch, stir it one last time and break up clumps, and it is ready to be used.
I use 1/2 cup of this detergent for a load...if I have greasy laundry, I might use a bit more. We have found that this takes even motor oil out of my husband's jeans! All in all, I am pretty happy with my homemade detergent, especially since it only costs a few pennies for a load!
**the next batch I make, I am going to boil lavender into the boiling water, strain it, and then use the scented water. I am just curious to see how well that would do.**
My laundry detergent is easy peasy. It can be made in a whopping 15 minutes, although it does take a few hours to cool.
Tools needed:
1 stock pot (big enough to hold a gallon of water)
1 big wooden spoon
1 grater (actually chose to use a cheese grater that makes fancy shredded cheese, but I wonder if a food processor would do the same thing)
1 measuring cup (I use one that holds 4 gallons)
Ingredients
1/2 gallon of boiling water
1/2 bar of soap (i.e. dove body soap- or you can use 1/4 of a bar of Fels Naphtha)
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 gallon of cold water
Instructions
mix the finely shredded soap with the boiling water. Stir until the soap dissolves. Stir in the borax and washing soda. Mix it all together and simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat. Mix in the cold water. Stir until it is all mixed up. If you store it in another container go ahead and pour it into your container for storage. I use the stock pot to store mine. Let it cool for a few hours, stirring it whenever you think of it (if you don't stir it, I find that it gets pretty clumpy on top and watery on bottom). When it is cool to the touch, stir it one last time and break up clumps, and it is ready to be used.
I use 1/2 cup of this detergent for a load...if I have greasy laundry, I might use a bit more. We have found that this takes even motor oil out of my husband's jeans! All in all, I am pretty happy with my homemade detergent, especially since it only costs a few pennies for a load!
**the next batch I make, I am going to boil lavender into the boiling water, strain it, and then use the scented water. I am just curious to see how well that would do.**
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Lost Presser Foot
As a child, I read a book about 5 young sisters and all the things they did together. One chapter told about when their mother would hide pennies around the house and the girls were to dust until they found all the pennies.
Why am I writing about this you might ask? Well, Izzy, has taken my presser foot for my sewing machine. It is hidden somewhere in this house, but that 2 year old ain't talkin. So, the last few days have been spent actually cleaning all the little nooks and crannies in this house, trying to find that stupid presser foot.
A small part of me wonders if his dad might have actually taken and hidden it to get me to deep clean this house....
Why am I writing about this you might ask? Well, Izzy, has taken my presser foot for my sewing machine. It is hidden somewhere in this house, but that 2 year old ain't talkin. So, the last few days have been spent actually cleaning all the little nooks and crannies in this house, trying to find that stupid presser foot.
A small part of me wonders if his dad might have actually taken and hidden it to get me to deep clean this house....
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