Okay, so all these tips are the basic cleaning strategies of our WWII grannies, but they work. They are natural, cheap, and good for the environment. After watching many of these shows I now realize I have wasted probably thousands of dollars at this point on cleaning products. Like many of you, I figured the stronger the chemical, the less chance something might survive and kill me on my toilet seat in the night. I am going to change my ways for a while and see how things go.
More Tips:
1. Baking soda is the number one natural cleaning agent. Making it into a warm water paste can cut through any nasty, caked on build-up, or a little bit in warm water for normal cleaning of non-wood/non-glass surfaces (i.e. microwaves, fridges and freezers, toilets -- especially under the rim, etc.).
2. A cup of table salt mixed with enough lemon juice to make a paste is a natural abrasive that won't harm bath fixtures, silver (NOT silver plated) and other precious metal items like Auntie Sylvia's candle sticks, porcelain, stainless steal, and other household surfaces. Be sure to use a soft cloth or nylon scrubber, rinse really well, and then dry really well. Salt and citric acid are natural germ killers. Microbials don't stand a chance against them.
3. White vinegar will cut any greasy grime. One suggested tip was to pour 1 cup in your washing machine and run on the hot cycle without any clothes to clean the machine of soap scum, dirt, and grease build up. I did that today and also used an old clothe to clean the edges of the machine to get up yucky build up around the top of the basin and lid.
4. Toothpaste with baking soda will remove nearly anything off everything if nothing else works. On the show it took crayon and marker off the wall and a radiator. Remember paste, NOT gel.
5. Dust with a barely damp cloth so that the dirt sticks instead of flying into the air, then go back with a dry cloth immediately and buff, add a tiny bit of wax if you want the shine. Take that Swiffer!
6. Plain old bleach and water is the best germ killer there is bar none. We kind of already knew that, but a nice reminder that $1.99 bleach will kill everything faster than the $8.99 bathroom spray is in order.
I haven't had a chance to try all of these yet, but I didn't want to forget the tips due to butt brain. I'll keep trying these things. I am going to try to switch to these more natural methods for a better, shinier clean, which is much better on my budget and better for the environment and my health. Most of these seem safe for pets, babies, and pregnant mommies.
4 comments:
Thank you for posting this. I think I am going to try some of things next time. I too have been having "butt brain" but mine is just because I cannot focus- so I write EVERYTHING down, which means I have little scraps of paper everywhere.
This is super! I pay too much for cleaning supplies, too. (Of course, they last a long time because I"m Freaking Lazy.)
Here's one for you, Ali.
To curb mildew growth on a vinyl shower curtain (or liner) fill the tub with a couple inches of warm water and 1 cup of salt. Soak the shower curtain and then rehang without rinsing. The salt will stop soap scum and mildew from forming.
That's an excellent tip Robin!
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