Cleaning Supplies You Can Afford!

Here are a few money saving ideas to use for cleaning jobs around the house. Most are more economical than buying packaged cleaners.

All Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1 tsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp. liquid soap into 1 quart of water. For moping floors, use a pail. For cleaning counter tops and appliances, use a spray bottle.

Bleach substitute: Soak item in lemon juice for 15 - 20 minutes and then wash as usual.

Brass and Copper Cleaner: Combined vinegar and salt to make a paste, rub with a soft cloth.

Drain Cleaner: Weekly - put ½ cup of baking soda in drain, followed by 2 cups of boiling water. For clog - put ½ cup of baking soda in drain, followed by 1 cup vinegar.

Furniture Polish: Mix ¼ cup white vinegar and ¾ cup of olive oil, rub with an old sock.

Mold Cleaner: Cut a lemon in half and scrub. If abrasive is needed use a little salt.

Room Freshener: In a spray bottle mix a few drops of your favorite essential oil with 2 cups of water.

Rug Shampoo: Mix ½ cup mild soap, 2 Tbs. of vinegar with 1 quart of water. Whip into a foam. Apply the foam with a sponge mop and scrub. Let dry thoroughly, and then vacuum.

Scouring Powder: Combined 1 Tbs. baking soda and 1 Tbs. salt; for non abrasive cleanser just use baking soda.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl, spray on some vinegar and scrub. If you happen to have dentures and use denture cleaning tablets, take 3 overnight denture tablets and drop into toilet bowl; let soak overnight, then scrub.

Window Cleaner: In a spray bottle mix ¼ cup of vinegar into 1 quart of water. Unlike packaged sprays, this will not streak your windows. Use black and white newspapers instead of paper towels to clean windows, they work much better. A great way to save a few pennies and recycle!