Make Your Own Cleaning Products Using Vinegar & Baking Soda

Recently the drain in my tub became clogged and I didn’t know what to do. I called the one person I knew that could solve my problem. No, it wasn’t a plumber but my mom. You see, my mom knows about a half dozen different ways to fix and clean things using natural products that are good for the environment, are not harmful to your health, and can save you money.

As soon as I got off the phone and unclogged the drain (which I tell you how below), I decided to put down paper everything she told me.

Vinegar & Baking Soda

· Pour ½ cup baking soda down a clogged drain, add ½ cup white vinegar, cover the drain opening, and let sit for 15 minutes. Pour a gallon of hot water down the drain to get rid of the bid up which will unclog the drain pipe.

· For a hard to clean toilet, add ¼ baking soda, and 1 cup vinegar to the bowl. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and then scrub with a toilet bowl brush and flush.

· To remove stains from coffee or tea cups, scrub them with a paste made from equal parts vinegar and baking soda. Rinse clean.

Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that cleans and deodorizers just about anything. The strong smell disappears once it dries

Warning!! Do not use vinegar on marble.

· Get an empty spray bottle and add one cup water & one cup vinegar. Use it as an all purpose cleaner on the stove, counter tops, appliances, and sink.

· Pour vinegar around the inside rim of the toilet and scrub with a brush. Rings should soon disappear.

· Fill a bucket with hot water and a half cup water to scrub the bathroom or kitchen tile.

· Fill a spray bottle with water and a tablespoon of vinegar to wash windows

· To clean the microwave, mix ½ cup vinegar and ½ cup water in a microwave safe bowl. Run the microwave for 3-4 minutes to bring the water/vinegar mixture to a rolling bowl. Baked-on food should loosen up from the steam and odor will disappear. Remove bowl from microwave and with a soft cloth wipe down inside of microwave.

· To clean a grease splattered oven door window, saturate the surface with full-strength vinegar. Keep the door open for 15 minutes and then wipe clean window with sponge or soft cloth.

· Instead of fabric softener, add ½ cup vinegar to the rinse cycle. It will make the laundry cleaner, softer, and fresher. The vinegar smell disappears once articles are dry.

· To remove mineral deposits from a coffee maker, fill the water reservoir with 1 cup vinegar and run it through the whole cycle. Discard vinegar and run cycle two more times with plain water to rinse clean.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and an abrasive cleaner that is great at dissolving dirt, grease, mildew, and even wax.

· For an all purpose cleaner, mix 4 tablespoons baking soda mixed with 1 quart warm water. Let the soda dissolve and then use on stove, refrigerator, and even the bathtub

· Have rust spots or other stains inside the oven? Wet the stain, sprinkle on baking soda, and then scrub using an old toothbrush or steel wool .

· Place an open box inside the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Replaced every 4-6 weeks.

· Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet before vacuuming. It will eliminate odors including pet odors.

· Sprinkle baking soda in the cat box or at the bottom of garbage cans to neutralize odors

· Make a paste mixture of baking soda and water. Use it to clean and polish metals such as faucets.