Mix It & Make It Yourself

Watching the ads on t.v. & in the newsprint telling us of the "new and improved" household cleaners we just have to have around the house makes me laugh. I really love the ones telling us to buy this and go green in our cleaning. Well here's news for them...the first ones to really go green were our older family members, like our Meemaw's, Great-Aunt's and such. So instead of buying that $3.00+ cleaning solution try these frugal tried and true recipes.

All-Purpose Cleaner
4 Tblsp. baking soda
1 qt. warm water

Mix together until baking soda is dissolved. Pour into a pump spray bottle. Spray area to be cleaned and wipe with a sponge. Rinse with clear water.

Use to clean and deodorize: kitchen, bathroom and bedroom surfaces. Chromium plated fixtures & faucets, refrigerators and freezers.

To increase cleaning strength simply increase the amount of baking soda to the solution.

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Floor Cleaner
1/4 c. white vinegar
1/4 c. baking soda
1 gallon warm water

Mix together in a mop bucket. Mop floor with solution. Rinse mop head completely and mop floor again with clear water to remove any residue. Allow floor to dry.

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Toilet Bowl Cleaner
1/4 c. or so of baking soda
1 c. or so white vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then drizzle with white vinegar. Scrub as you normally would using your toilet brush. Flush to rinse. (Amount of soda & vinegar to use will vary on the stain in your bowl.)

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Glass Cleaner
1 qt. water
1/4 c. white vinegar

Combine ingredients in a pump type spray bottle. Spray on glass or mirrors and wipe off with newspaper.

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Drain Opener
1/2 c. baking soda
1/2 c. white vinegar
2 qts. boiling water

Add baking soda then vinegar to drain. Cover tightly and let sit for 15 minutes. Pour the boiling water down the drain. This should clear things right up. If the "clog" persists after adding the water try using the plunger to dislodge it. Repeat solution again if need be.

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Furniture Polish
3 Tblsp. mineral oil
1 Tblsp. olive oil
1 drop lemon juice
Combine all ingredients together and polish furniture as normal.

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Lime & Mineral Deposit Remover

Soak a cloth in white vinegar. apply cloth to lime deposits. Leave cloth on area for about an hour. This will soften deposits and allow for easy cleaning removal.

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Metal Polish

1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. white vinegar
flour

Add salt and vinegar together. Swish to dissolve salt. Add enough flour to make a thick paste. Apply paste to area to be cleaned. Let sit for 15-30 minutes. Rinse well and dry.

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Credit for graphics belong to: Cute Colors