Natural Ways to Clean
Long before commercial cleansers reached the market, homes sparkled through the use of everyday, natural products. Although the variety of brands and products is staggering consumers can gain excellent cleaning results with simple items that most have on hand.
If pet odors have permeated the carpet, don’t despair and don’t dash out to the market for expensive odor removers. Instead, sprinkle the carpet with either baking soda or cornstarch. Wait a half an hour and then hoover it up. One cup of baking soda or cornstarch is enough for an average sized room. An alternative method is to use two parts cornmeal with one part borax. Sprinkle the carpet and wait one hour before vacuuming it up.
If hard woods floors are present instead of a rug, keep them shining bright with a simple combination of vegetable oil and lemon juice. Use a one to one ratio and apply a thin coat to the flooring. Rub in well or use a commercial style buffer to bring the floors to a beautiful shine. The same solutions can be used on most wood furniture to keep surfaces clean and clear. Rubbing a fresh-hulled pecan half against the surface can also brighten Wood furniture. This natural method restores shine very well.
Linoleum or tile floors can be dirt free by mopping with a simple solution made from one half-cup vinegar mixed with a half-gallon warm water. If the vinegar smell seems too extreme, add a few drops of lemon juice for a fresher scent.
Disinfectants that will kill as many germs as anything on the market can be simply made by combining one half cup of borax with one gallon hot water. Apply to any surface that requires disinfecting and enjoy the healthy results.
All purpose cleaning products on the market today claim to clean almost any surface but the same results can be found by making a home version. Begin with a clean plastic spray bottle. Mix two teaspoons of borax and one teaspoon soap into one quart of water. Shake well and spray away the grime. Another homemade product combines simple baking soda with warm water.
Mirrors and other glass can let the sunshine sparkle through with a very basic cleaning method. Use alcohol to cleanse mirrors of any remaining residue from commercial glass cleaners then clean glass with a solution that is half white vinegar, half water.
Rather than use commercial air fresheners to mask odors or bring a short-lived scent into the room, try other methods. Placing a few tablespoons of vinegar in open dishes around a room can absorb odors effectively. Boil herbs and spices to fill rooms with a fresh aroma. An array of houseplants can filter both dust and smells from the air. Always track down the source of any odors and remove them from the home. A clean home seldom smells bad so if all is sparkling and fresh any odors should vanish.
These are but a few time tried methods that work as well today as they did centuries ago. Sometimes the simplest things work best to
If pet odors have permeated the carpet, don’t despair and don’t dash out to the market for expensive odor removers. Instead, sprinkle the carpet with either baking soda or cornstarch. Wait a half an hour and then hoover it up. One cup of baking soda or cornstarch is enough for an average sized room. An alternative method is to use two parts cornmeal with one part borax. Sprinkle the carpet and wait one hour before vacuuming it up.
If hard woods floors are present instead of a rug, keep them shining bright with a simple combination of vegetable oil and lemon juice. Use a one to one ratio and apply a thin coat to the flooring. Rub in well or use a commercial style buffer to bring the floors to a beautiful shine. The same solutions can be used on most wood furniture to keep surfaces clean and clear. Rubbing a fresh-hulled pecan half against the surface can also brighten Wood furniture. This natural method restores shine very well.
Linoleum or tile floors can be dirt free by mopping with a simple solution made from one half-cup vinegar mixed with a half-gallon warm water. If the vinegar smell seems too extreme, add a few drops of lemon juice for a fresher scent.
Disinfectants that will kill as many germs as anything on the market can be simply made by combining one half cup of borax with one gallon hot water. Apply to any surface that requires disinfecting and enjoy the healthy results.
All purpose cleaning products on the market today claim to clean almost any surface but the same results can be found by making a home version. Begin with a clean plastic spray bottle. Mix two teaspoons of borax and one teaspoon soap into one quart of water. Shake well and spray away the grime. Another homemade product combines simple baking soda with warm water.
Mirrors and other glass can let the sunshine sparkle through with a very basic cleaning method. Use alcohol to cleanse mirrors of any remaining residue from commercial glass cleaners then clean glass with a solution that is half white vinegar, half water.
Rather than use commercial air fresheners to mask odors or bring a short-lived scent into the room, try other methods. Placing a few tablespoons of vinegar in open dishes around a room can absorb odors effectively. Boil herbs and spices to fill rooms with a fresh aroma. An array of houseplants can filter both dust and smells from the air. Always track down the source of any odors and remove them from the home. A clean home seldom smells bad so if all is sparkling and fresh any odors should vanish.
These are but a few time tried methods that work as well today as they did centuries ago. Sometimes the simplest things work best to
