All-purpose
An all-purpose cleaner is great to have on-hand when you’re doing some weekend tidying or need something to quickly wipe up a mess. A simple all-purpose cleaning solution consists of just four ingredients and can provide you with extra clean surfaces. Good Housekeeping suggests one part white vinegar, one part water, lemon rind, and rosemary sprigs. The vinegar and water are the main cleaning agents while the lemon and rosemary give the solution a pleasing smell. If you have granite countertops, you’ll want to avoid using acidic cleaners on them, as they can etch the stone and ruin it. Just a little bit of soap and warm water can usually do the trick with granite instead.
Carpet
One of the most absorbent materials in your home is the carpet. This fluffy material can easily attract stains and smells over time, and it’s important you have a cleaning solution that can tackle those messes. You’ll need 1/4 cup of table salt, 1/4 cup of white vinegar, and 1/4 cup of borax powder. Mix the ingredients into a paste and apply it to the stained area. Let it dry for 24 hours and then vacuum. Not only does this paste kill bacteria, it also works as a deodorizer to remove unpleasant smells. If there is any residue on the carpet after you’ve vacuumed, clean it with a small amount of warm water and blot it dry with a clean cloth. As a precaution, it’s best to test the paste on an inconspicuous spot of carpet first.
Glass
While Windex® is one of the most popular glass-cleaning solutions, you can make your own version at home with custom scents. You’ll need 2 cups of water, 1/2 cup of white or cider vinegar, and 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol (70% concentration). An optional addition, for the customized scent, is a couple of drops of essential oil. For cleaning, good scents include orange, lemon, rosemary, grapefruit, and lavender. Once you’ve combined all of your ingredients, put them in a spray bottle to use your homemade window cleaner. Good Housekeeping points out you shouldn’t clean windows when it’s hot outside, as the solution will dry quickly and leave streaks. The best temperature for cleaning windows is between 64 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heavy-duty
For tougher messes, you may need a heavy-duty cleaning solution. However, just two simple ingredients — a lemon and borax powder — can take care of rust stains on hard-to-clean items like porcelain or enamel tubs and sinks. Lemons are always great to grab at the grocery store, no matter how you’re using them. Borax powder is typically found in the laundry aisle near the detergent or you can purchase it online. To make your heavy-duty cleaning tool, cut a lemon in half and dip it into some of the borax powder. Scrub the surface you’re cleaning, rinse it with warm water, and wipe dry. Similar to the all-purpose cleaning solution, you will want to avoid using this acidic formula on granite surfaces.
These are just a few DIY cleaning solutions that you can create. But with these four mixes, you should be well on your way to keeping a clean home.