Cleaning Hints & Tricks

Whether you're on a tight budget, or just prefer to use all-natural/less toxic cleaning products, these hints are sure to get your cleaning spirits high!

Rubbing Alcohol

• Use it as a disinfectant! In a spray bottle, mix one part rubbing alcohol with one part water. Voila! Use as you would any aerosal disinfectant spray.
• Keep the screens of your electronics sparkling! Combine one part alcohol with one part water in a small, pump-style spray bottle. With electronics off, lightly mist the center of the screen, then use a dry cloth to wipe evenly outward. Allow to fully dry before powering on the device again.
• Easily remove ice/frost from car windows! Mix one part alcohol with five parts water, and spray it onto the outsides of your car windows, wiping with a clean dry cloth.

Vinegar

• Clean your wood floors! There's no need to spend money on expensive "wood floor cleaner" that leaves streaks. Combine 1/2 cup white vinegar per one gallon of hot water. Use a microfiber cloth or mop head to wash wood floors. Allow to completely dry.
• Clean the microwave! Put 1/4 cup white vinegar and one cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat until mixure is boiling. This will make it easier to remove splattered food.
• Remove soap and hard water residue! Rub glass shower doors with a sponge soaked with white vinegar.

Dish Soap

• Clean your bathtub! Dish soap is great at removing rings and grime left from previous use, and leaves your tub sparkling and smelling great!
• Use it on your kitchen cabinets! Over the course of time, cabinets can acquire a build-up of grease and other substances from cooking, especially the ones near the stovetop. Mix a few drops of dish soap with one or two cups of warm water in a spray bottle and use a sponge to scrub them clean.
• Clean tile floors and walls! Combine a tablespoon of dish soap with a gallon of warm water. Use a sponge or soft cloth to wipe away dirt and smudges. Rinse well and dry.

Rubber Gloves

• Wipe away pet hair from furniture! Simply put on a rubber glove, and wipe the surface until all the hair is in one place. Pick it up, and there you go!
• Use a rubber glove to help open stubborn jars.

Caution

Here is a quick run-down of things to avoid when making your own cleaning solutions, or re-purposing existing ones.

• Never mix ammonia and bleach. This will produce a gas that is toxic when inhaled.
• Do not use dish soap and water on wood floors, as it could warp and discolor them.
• Avoid using abrasive sponges on painted surfaces. Doing so will strip the paint.
• Always use caution when trying a new solution on any surface. Do a test in a small, inconspicuous area first, to make sure the surface does not get damaged.