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Frugal & Natural Cleaning Recipes A-B:
Air Freshener
/ Deodorizer:
- Recipe
1: Use baking soda here, there, and everywhere
-- down the drain, on baby spit-up, in diaper pails, refrigerators, cat
litter box and the kitchen sponge. It's easy and simple.
- Recipe
2: Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar. Spray around
the house as needed, on carpets, shoes, trash cans, diaper pails, and
other sprayable surfaces. For wipeable surfaces, soak sponge or rag in
vinegar and wipe down surfaces, like refrigerators and lunch boxes.
- Recipe
3: Unscented kitty litter placed in bowls will absorb room
odors.
- Recipe
4: To freshen bathrooms add a couple of drops of your
favorite essential oil to the inside of the cardboard toilet paper
roll. The fragrance is released in the room when the turn of the roll.
- Recipe
5: Combine a pint of water and 4 drops of essential oil of
choice. Pour into a spray bottle and use as a finishing rinse on
surfaces after cleaning. Suggested essential oils to use: Eucalyptus,
Pine, Lavender, Cypress, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Thyme, Grapefruit,
Orange, Wintergreen, Rosemary, and Sage.
All Purpose
Cleaner:
- Recipe
1: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a clean
spray bottle. This makes a great all purpose cleaner for counter tops
and quick clean ups all over the house. The acetic acid in the vinegar
kills viruses, germs, bacteria, and mold. For stronger clean up jobs,
full strength white vinegar can be used. Note: Do not use on marble.
- Recipe
2: In a two cup glass measuring cup mix 2 tablespoons of
white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of borax. Add 1 cup of hot water and stir
until the borax is dissolved. Let this mixture cool a few minutes and
then pour into a 16 ounce spray bottle. Add more water to the bottle
leaving enough room to add 1/4 cup of castile soap. To scent, add 15-20
drops of your favorite essential oil.
- Recipe
3: Baking soda on a damp sponge or cloth can be used for a
mild abrasive cleaner. It cleans and deodorizes all kitchen and
bathroom surfaces.
- Recipe
4: Mix vinegar and salt together for an abrasive surface
cleaner.
- Recipe
5: Combine 3 tablespoons of white vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon
washing soda, 1/2 teaspoon castile soap, and 2 cups of hot water. This
solution can be placed in a spray bottle or bucket to clean surfaces.
Aluminum Pot
Cleaner:
Remove dark stains on aluminum pots by boiling a mixture of 1 cup of
white vinegar and 1 cup hot water.
Bleach
Alternative:
- To
Whiten Clothes:
Add a cup of lemon juice to the wash cycle
to boost the whitening action of your laundry detergent.
- To
Remove Stains from Clothing:
Pour lemon juice over the stain, rub the
area with salt, then place the clothing in the sun for a few hours.
Wash as usual.
- To
remove Stains from Countertops and Other Hard Surfaces:
Create a paste of lemon juice and baking
soda, apply the mixture to the stain, and allow to sit for a few hours.
Wipe clean. Note: Some stains may require a second treatment.
Brass or
copper cleaner:
- Recipe
1: Ketchup or tomato juice will remove tarnish from copper
or brass. Rub into object with a soft cloth.
- Recipe
2: Mix baking soda and white vinegar together to create a
paste. Rub into copper or brass item with a soft cloth. Rinse and dry
with a cloth.
- Recipe
3: For more stubborn stains, make a paste of white vinegar
and salt. Rub on object with cloth. This is most abrasive and should be
used with caution on fragile surfaces.
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Frugal Finances
