Although your mother always said that cleanliness is next to godliness, she never mentioned how expensive it would be. If you listen to advertisements today, you know that you need separate cleaners for your kitchen counters, bathroom counters, mirrors, windows and so on. And at $3-7 for each bottle, the costs of being clean add up quickly. But you can save money by making your own household cleaners with these easy recipes.
In addition to being expensive, commercial household cleaners can be dangerous. According to the EPA, many of the products we frequently use contain harmful toxins such as chlorine, ammonia, and formaldehyde. These chemicals may cause a variety of health problems, from lung and skin irritation to endocrine disruption and possibly even cancer in the case of formaldehyde (commonly as a glue and preservative). In all cases, our bodies are not equipped to neutralize the toxic chemicals which may seep into the air from these products, leading to health problems over time.
You can save your money and your health by making your own cleaners using products commonly found in the kitchen. Try out some of the following recipes:
* All-Purpose Cleaner: To create a basic all-purpose cleaner, warm one pint of water and stir in two tablespoons of baking soda. Add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to help cut through grease. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and use it as you would any commercial cleaner.
* Glass Cleaner: Mix one cup of white vinegar with one cup of distilled water and spray on windows using a spray bottle. Wipe down the glass using old newspapers for the best streak-free finish.
* Oven Cleaner: Mix one part white vinegar to four parts water and spray onto your oven. Let it set for several minutes to penetrate the grease and gunk before wiping away. You can also use baking soda to scrub through the tough parts.
* Drain Cleaner: Pour one-quarter cup baking soda down a clogged drain and follow with one-half cup of vinegar. Carefully cover the drain tightly and wait for hissing to stop, then rinse the drain well with hot water. Be careful when using this recipe – baking soda and vinegar are highly reactive together!
* Air Freshener: To eliminate odors, sprinkle plain baking soda in trash cans, kitty litter boxes and other stinky places. House plants can also help absorb odors as they take in oxygen from the environment. Purchase potpourri from a craft store to give your home a fresh scent that lasts longer than spray air freshener.
You may find that a stronger concoction works for you. Experiment with the proportions of each cleaner until you find the concentration that works best for you. For more recipes and information on alternative cleaning methods, visit http://www.home-safe-home.org.
January 6, 2009
Save on Home Cleaning Products
by: Sarah Russell
