natural cleaners

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All-Purpose Cleaner 

1 cup laundry soap mix

1/2 cup citrus disinfectant mix

In a quart sized spray bottle, combine the ingredients. Fill with very hot water and shake well. To use, simply spray and wipe.

Citrus Disinfectant

Peel of 1 orange/grapefruit/lemon/lime

3 cups white vinegar

1 clean quart jar with lid

1 clean 32 ounce spray bottle

Put the peel in the jar along with vinegar. Leave it in a cabinet for 2 weeks giving it an occasional shake. Remove the peel and strain the liquid .return to the jar Put 1 cup of disinfectant in a spray bottle and fill the rest with warm water. 

Alcohol disinfectant 

Another good is isopropyl alcohol. Pour some into a small spray bottle and keep on hand just in case the kids get sick.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a good disinfectant as well. You can put this a spray bottle and spray counter tops, garbage cans and door handles.

Glass Cleaners

Non-Streaking Spray Glass Cleaner

1/4 cup white vinegar

1 Tablespoon cornstarch

2 cups warm water

Put all ingredients in a large spray bottle. Shake well to dissolve the cornstarch. To use, spray liberally on the glass, wipe with a clean cloth. Buff to a streak free shine with a wadded up piece of newspaper.

Floor Cleaner

Soap floor cleaner

1 cup vinegar 

1/4 cup washing soda 

1 Tablespoon Homemade liquid soap 

2 gallons hot water 

Combine all ingredients, stirring well to dissolve the washing soda. Mop as usual.

Pine Floor Cleaner

2 cups laundry soap mix  

2 cups water 

2 teaspoons pine essential oil 

Stir well and pour into a jar or other container.  

To use, pour 2 or 3 tablespoons of the mixture into a half a bucket of hot water, stirring well. For large areas, you may need to double the amount. After cleaning, rinse the floor with a bucket of clean water mixed with a cup of white vinegar.

Counter tops

Kitchen Rinse-Use any of the following essential oils, alone 

or in a combination pleasing to you. Add 4 drops of oil to 

each pint of water. Pour into a spray bottle, store away cool 

dark place. Use as a final rinse after cleaning kitchen 

surfaces. All these herbs smell great and have antiseptic 

qualities

Eucalyptus 

Pine 

Lavender 

Cypress 

Lemon 

Lemongrass 

Lime 

Thyme 

Grapefruit 

Orange 

Wintergreen 

Rosemary 

Dishes

Liquid castile soap 

Combine two cups of liquid castile soap with 1/2 cup of warm water. Add a few drops of essential oils for a pleasant scent. 

Shake or mix well and place in a squeeze bottle. Shake the soap well before using. 

Soap flake dish soap 

2 cups of soap flakes 

1 gallon of warm water 

2 tablespoons of glycerin (optional) 

1/2 cup of lemon juice or white vinegar 

A few drops of essential oils for scent, if desired 

Combine your soap flakes and water in a large non-reactive pan. Over low heat, warm the mixture, stirring frequently, 

until the soap is completely dissolved. Add the glycerin and stir; remove from heat. Allow the soap to cool slightly 

and add the lemon juice and essential oils (optional). Mix thoroughly to combine. Pour your liquid dish soap into 

squeeze bottles or other containers.

Drinking glasses

Occasionally soak drinking glasses in a solution of vinegar and water to really get them clean.

Makes them sparkle!  When a quick dip for crystal glassware is needed, prepare a solution of baking 

soda in tepid-cool water (l level teaspoon to a quart) and brush with a soft toothbrush. 

It works well on glass coffee makers and thermos jugs too.

Baking dishes

Enamel, Ceramic or Glass: Soak in hot soapy water, then scour with salt or baking soda and rinse thoroughly.

Drain Opener 

For slow drains, use this drain cleaner once a week to keep drains fresh and clog-free.  1/2 to 1 cup baking soda 1 cup white vinegar 1 gallon boiling water 1/2 a used lemon  Pour baking soda down drain/disposal, followed by vinegar. Allow the mixture to foam for several minutes before flushing the drain with boiling water.

Coffee and Tea stains

To remove coffee stains from cups or counters, rub with baking soda paste.

Garbage Disposal

To eliminate garbage disposal odors and clean and sharpen blades, grind ice and used lemon and/or orange rinds until pulverized.

Microwave

1 cup water  

1 fresh lemon, sliced  

Boil a cup of water with lemon slices in your dirty microwave for 20 seconds.  2This will loosen the hardened food particles inside and your microwave will look brand NEW!

Oven Cleaner

The first step is always prevention. Put a sheet of aluminum foil on the floor of the oven, underneath but not touching the heating element. Wipe up the spill as soon as it occurs be careful not to burn yourself. While the oven is still warm, sprinkle salt or baking soda on the spill. If the spill is completely dry, wet the spill lightly before sprinkling on salt. When the oven cools, scrape away the spill and wash the area clean. 

Baking soda

baking soda 

water 

salt 

vegetable oil-based liquid soap. 

Sprinkle water on oven bottom. Cover with baking soda. Let it sit overnight. Wipe off and apply liquid soap with scouring pad. Rinse. You can slow grease buildup in your oven by dampening your cleaning rag in vinegar and water before wiping out your oven.  Sprinkle/spray water followed by a layer of baking soda. Rub gently with a very fine steel wool pad for tough spots. Wipe off scum with dry paper towels or sponge. Rinse well and wipe dry.

Borax

2 tablespoons vegetable oil-based liquid soap 

2 tablespoons borax

Mix the soap and borax in a spray bottle. Fill the bottle with hot water and shake well. Spray on oven and leave for 20 minutes. Scrub off.

Pots and pans

Burned, and crusted on foods; Soak or boil a solution of 2 tbs. baking soda per qt of water in each pan. Let stand until particles are loosened, then wash as usual. Use a mild or moderate abrasive if necessary.  To clean a greasy pan easily, add 1 or 2 teaspoons of baking soda to the water in which it is soaking.

Refrigerator

To clean exterior and interior walls, dissolve 2 tbs. baking soda in 1 qt warm water and wipe all surfaces. For stubborn spots, rub with baking soda paste. Be sure to rinse with a clean, wet cloth. (This works well on other enamel-finished appliances as well.)  To clean interior fixtures, such as vegetable bins and shelves, wash in hot soapy water, rinse well and dry. 2-3 slices of white bread absorbs refrigerator odors or you can use an open box of baking soda.

Bathroom air freshener

Add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to the inside of the cardboard toilet tissue roll. With each turn, fragrance is released into the room.

Toilet Bowl Cleaners

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then squirt with vinegar and scour with a toilet brush. Cleans and deodorizes.  

Borax and Lemon Juice 

For removing a stubborn stain, like toilet bowl ring, mix enough borax and lemon juice into a paste cover the ring. Flush toilet to wet the sides, then rub on paste. Let sit for 2 hours and scrub thoroughly. For less stubborn toilet bowl rings, sprinkle baking soda around the rim and scrub with a toilet brush. 

Borax and vinegar

1 cup borax, 

1/2 cup white vinegar. 

Flush to wet the sides of the bowl. Sprinkle the borax around the toilet bowl, and then spray with vinegar. Leave for several hours or overnight before scrubbing with a toilet brush.  

Denture tablets are an excellent substitute for toilet cleaner. Drop two tablets into the bowl and clean as you would with toilet cleaner. 

Liquid castile soap- and baking soda or Borax, scrub with a toilet brush.

Tub and tile

Baking Soda-Sprinkle baking soda like you would scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge. Rinse thoroughly.  

Vinegar and Baking Soda-To remove film buildup on bathtubs, apply vinegar full-strength to a sponge and wipe. Next, use baking soda as you would scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge and rinse thoroughly with clean water.  

Vinegar-Vinegar removes most dirt without scrubbing and doesn't leave a film. Use 1/4 cup (or more) vinegar to 1 gallon water.  

Baking Soda-To clean grout, put 3 cups baking soda into a medium-sized bowl and add 1 cup warm water. Mix into a smooth paste and scrub into grout with a sponge or toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and dispose of leftover paste when finished.  

Lemon and Borax- Rub the area to be cleaned with half a lemon dipped in borax. Rinse well, and dry with soft cloth.  

Porcelain Cleaner Cream of Tartar. To clean porcelain surfaces, rub with cream of tartar sprinkled on a damp cloth.

Plumbing Fixtures

Baking soda -To clean stainless steel, chrome, fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain or enamel fixtures, dissolve 2 tbsp baking soda in 1 qt of water. Wipe on fixtures then rinse. 

Vinegar and Paper Towels- Hard lime deposits around faucets can be softened for easy removal by covering the deposits with vinegar-soaked paper towels. Leave the paper towels on for about one hour before cleaning. Leaves chrome clean and shiny.    

Metal Shower Heads-To remove deposits which may be clogging your metal shower head, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar and one quart water. Then completely submerge the shower head and boil 15 minutes.  

Plastic Shower Heads-Combine 1 pint white vinegar and 1 pint hot water. Completely submerge the shower head and soak for about one hour.    

Rust Stain and Hard Water Deposit Remover Apply full-strength vinegar or lemon juice and let stand until spot disappears, rinse. Repeat if necessary.  

Mildew Remover  Dissolve half-cup vinegar with half-cup borax in warm water.  

Lime Deposits White vinegar Scouring powder 1 cup baking soda 1 cup borax 1 cup salt Combine ingredients in the old grated cheese container shake to mix. Scour, rinse and dry.

Soft scrub 

1/4 cup soap flakes 

2 cups hot water 

1/4 cup glycerin 

1/4 cup borax 

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 

In bowl combine soap flakes, and water and stir until the soap is dissolved. Cool to Luke warm. Stir in the glycerin and, leave to cool. Mix in the Borax and Lemon juice to form a paste and then pour into a narrow-necked bottle. An old shampoo bottle makes an excellent container.

Septic tank Activator

Use this if there is a persistent odor from the septic tank and indications that the sewage digesting bacteria are not present in sufficient numbers 

1 quart hot water 

1 pound brown sugar 

2 teaspoons dried yeast

Dissolve the brown sugar in hot water and leave till it is Luke-warm. Stir in the yeast, and immediately flush the mixture down the toilet. Do this last thing at night when there is not as much activity in the bathroom.

SILVER- To magnetize tarnish away, soak silver in salted water in an aluminum container; then wipe clean.  Or-Soak in boiling water, baking soda, salt, and a piece of aluminum foil. 

BRASS- Mix equal parts salt and flour with a little vinegar, then rub. 

CHROME- Rub with undiluted vinegar. 

COPPER- Rub with lemon juice and salt or hot vinegar and salt. 

STAINLESS STEEL- Rub with a paste of baking soda and water.

Hard Water Fabric Gel Soap (laundry detergent) 

1/2 bar of Homemade soap (any soap will do) 

1/4 cup Borax 

1/4 cup washing soda 

2 gallons warm water 

3 gallon bucket 

Put 2 gallons of warm water in a 3 gallon bucket .Take 6 cups of the water from the bucket and in a large non-reactive pot, melt the soap bar in the water. It is faster if you grate the soap bar. Heat it up slowly and stir until the soap is melted. While you’re waiting add the washing soda and the borax to the remaining water in the bucket. When the soap is melted let it cool a little and add it to the bucket mixture. Let it sit overnight. The mixture should be lumpy you can stir it and break up the lumps or leave it alone cleans great either way. Pour it in an old laundry soap bottle. 

Fabric Softener 

1 cup baking soda 

2 cups white vinegar 

Mix together in a used laundry soap bottle and use ½ cup at the final rinse cycle of the wash. This can be stored indefinitely.  

Stain remover 

1 cup hot water 

1/2 cup baking soda 

1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide 

Make this recipe as you need it. Do not save any for later use. Any leftover would lose its' potency over time. Mix ingredients. Add clothes and soak for 20 minutes to overnight. Rinse; wash as usual. Makes 2 cups.  *If possible, try to test an area of the clothing in case any discoloration occurs.

Air Fresheners/Deodorizers

Place cloves, cinnamon sticks, allspice or other favorite scented spice in a pot of water, simmer for 1-2 hours 

Orange or lemon rinds -Put a few slices of leftover orange or lemon rinds in a pot of water simmer for 1-2 hours 

Baking soda -Place baking soda in an open container of your choice. Good for closets, refrigerators and other small enclosed spaces 

Lemon and baking soda spray-Dissolve baking soda in 2 cups hot water, add lemon juice, pour into spray bottle, and spray into air as air freshener

Lemon Air Freshener Spray

2 cups hot water 

1/8 cup baking soda 

1/2 cup lemon juice 

First dissolve the baking soda in hot water then add the lemon juice. You can use Real Lemon for this.

Furniture Polish 

Make this polish fresh every time for best results.  

1 lemon 

1 teaspoon olive oil 

1 teaspoon water 

Extract the juice from the lemon. Mix with oil and water. Apply a thin coat on your wood surface and let sit for five minutes. Use a soft cloth to buff to a deep shine.

Wood scratch covers

Linseed oil -1/8 cup linseed oil, 

1/8 cup vinegar, 

1/4 cup lemon juice. 

Mix ingredients, using soft cloth, rub into wood.  

Remove water stains- 

on wood furniture, dab white toothpaste onto stain. 

Allow the paste to dry and then gently buff off with a 

soft cloth.

Carpet Freshener

Add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil to 2 cups of Baking soda. Keep the mixture in your refridgerator.To apply just shake onto your carpet and vacuum up.

Easy Homemade Deodorizer Sprays

you can also make some good, fresh smelling deodorizing spray with alcohol and essential oils. Fill a spray bottle with alcohol, add between 12 and 20 drops of an essential oil such as peppermint or lavender and spray away!

Car Wash 

A bucket of water 

Liquid castile soap 

Add a ½ cup of liquid castile soap to a bucket of water, and wash.

Window Cleaner

White vinegar 

A spray bottle 

Newspaper 

Spray full strength vinegar onto the windows. Allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then, wipe dry with a piece of newspaper.

Chrome Cleaner

White vinegar 

Water 

A spray bottle 

A sponge or cleaning rag 

Mix together equal parts white vinegar and water. Then, spray it on your wheels; and work it in with a sponge or cleaning rag.

*Note: Vinegar should not be used on aluminum alloys.

Tire Cleaner

Baking soda 

Water 

A scrub brush 

Mix baking soda and water together to form a paste. Then, work the paste into the tires with a scrub brush. Let it sit for several minutes. Then, rinse off.

Interior Cleaner

White vinegar

Water 

A spray bottle 

A cleaning rag 

Mix together equal parts white vinegar and water. Then, spray it on any vinyl, plastic, wood, or leather surfaces in your car that need cleaning. Allow it to soak in. Then, wipe dry with a clean rag.  

*Note: As with any cleaner, you should test it on a small area before applying to the entire surface.

Interior Protectant/Dressing

1 cup olive oil 

1/2 cup lemon juice 

A spray bottle  

2 cleaning rags 

Combine olive oil and lemon juice in a spray bottle. Then, use a clean cloth to wipe a small amount of the dressing into the dashboard and any other plastic or vinyl surfaces. Buff it out and finish by wiping off the excess with another clean rag.