Allergy & Air on July 30, 2014 0 Comments Commercial household cleaners often contain harsh chemicals and fragrances that can irritate allergies. But a few common kitchen products provide the perfect ingredients for natural cleaning products that are allergy friendly. You can make a variety of cleaning products from white vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice. Invest in some plastic spray bottles and a few small plastic containers, and you’re ready to make your own cleaners. 1. All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 2 cups vinegar and 2 cups water to create an all-purpose cleaner and disinfectant. Don’t use this cleaner on marble, but it can be used on most other kitchen and bathroom surfaces. If you are not sure the cleaner will be safe, test it in an inconspicuous area before using it. 2. Scouring Cleaner: Mix three-fourths cup baking soda and one-fourth cup water to create a paste for cleaning sinks, tubs, toilets, ceramic, aluminum, chrome and stainless steel. This same paste can be used to polish silverware. Alternatively, mix one-fourth cup baking soda, 1 tablespoon liquid detergent and enough white vinegar to make a creamy texture. You can also add a squeeze of lemon into the paste to add a fresh and clean smell. 3. Copper and Brass Polish: Use plain lemon juice as a polish for copper and brass items. Lemon juice will also dissolve hard water stains and soap buildup. 4. Drain Cleaner: Pour one-fourth cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar down drains. The combination of the two will create a fizzy cleaner that will scour the inside of your drain pipes. Rinse with hot water. Use weekly to help prevent clogs and leave drains smelling fresh. 5. Dishwasher Cleaner: Pour a half cup of vinegar into the reservoir of your dishwasher and run an empty cycle to disinfect and clean the interior of the dishwasher. 6. Floor Cleaner: Add one-fourth cup vinegar to a bucket of warm water to clean tile or slate floors. Don’t use the mixture on marble or hardwood floors. Another option is to mix one-fourth cup non-toxic, biodegradable dish soap with half a cup of white vinegar and 2 gallons warm water. 7. Mold and Mildew Cleaner: Spray vinegar on shower walls and curtains to clean and prevent mold and mildew. Wait 15 minutes, rinse and let dry thoroughly. Repeat if necessary. 8. Window Cleaner: Mix together 1 cup of water, 1 cup rubbing alcohol and 1 tablespoon vinegar. This DIY cleanser works great at cleaning glass without leaving any streaks or residue behind. 9. Microwave Cleaner: Mix 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup water in a bowl and microwave on high for 10 minutes or until mixture boils. This will loosen stains and dried food so they easily wipe away. Repeat if needed for stubborn stains. 10. Wall Cleaner: Mix equal parts of baking soda and vinegar to create a paste. Use on white walls and let dry. Brush off with a clean cloth to remove crayon marks and other scuffs on your walls. Test in an inconspicuous spot prior to using this in affected area. 11. Oven Cleaner: Use baking soda and steel wool to clean spills on the bottom of your oven. However, don’t use baking soda on a self-cleaning cycle. 12. Grout Cleaner: Mix baking soda and peroxide to make a paste. Scrub grout and rinse with water. Repeat as needed. 13. Shower Cleaner: To remove tough soap scum, boil white vinegar on the stove or in the microwave and pour it on the walls. (Avoid inhaling the steam and exercise caution when pouring.) Clean your shower head by soaking it in vinegar for half an hour. 14. Garbage Disposal Cleaner: Grind peels from oranges, lemons, and limes in the garbage disposal with a handful of ice. The ice will sharpen the disposal blades while the citrus peels will clean and freshen the air. Alternatively, make ice cubes of vinegar and grind those in the disposal to deodorize the disposal. Not only are homemade cleaners healthier for allergy sufferers, but they are also friendlier to the environment, easier on the pocketbook, and safer if you have young kids.
