Go and take a look at all your cleaning products – how many of them have words like ‘dangerous’, ‘irritant’, ‘corrosive’ or other similarly dire warnings imprinted on them? Wouldn’t it be better if you could clean your home using less of these undeniably toxic chemicals? Well, using a few simple recipes, mainly made of materials found around your home or available cheaply at most corner shops or supermarkets, you can do so easily today. Not only are these home-made cleaners safer for those living in your house, they are also better for the environment and cost you less money; so why not make the switch?
Surface Cleaner
1 Tablespoon of white vinegar mixed with 1 tablespoon of water makes a great chemical free surface cleaner for all bathroom and kitchen surfaces. For more difficult house clearing chores and matters, with caked on grease or dirt, simply put the mix in a microwavable bowl and heat it up for a minute before putting back into a spray bottle and spraying onto the surface. Leave it for 10 minutes, come back with a clean cloth and you will find the heat has worked its magic letting you scrub off all the grime and dirt with ease! Note some people might say that vinegar has an unpleasant odour and, while this is undeniably true for some, I find that the faint smell of vinegar for an hour or two is much preferable to a chemical concoction that lingers for days and can irritate the eyes and throat of any who use the room; especially small children and pets.
Drain Unblocker
If unblocking your drain using traditional methods (i.e. plunging or with a cable) has not worked, it may be tempting to reach for the heavy duty chemicals. Drain unlocking liquids are notoriously hazardous, requiring protective gear for your hands and eyes during use; so why not try a natural alternative? Simply pour 1 cup of baking soda, followed swiftly by 2 cups of boiling water into the blocked drain. Wait a few minutes to let the baking soda get to work, then throw in a cup of white vinegar. You should hear a bubbling and fizzing sound coming from the drain. When it has died down, add the last of the boiling water and your drain should be unblocked. If not, try plunging again as the cleaner may have loosened the blockage enough for this to have an effect. If this still doesn’t work, it might be time to reach for the chemical cleaners – but this should be a last resort, as most drain cleaners contain sodium hydroxide, commonly known as lye, which is extremely caustic and can burn skin without proper attention during use.
Furniture Polish
Simply mix ¼ a cup of white vinegar and a few drops of good quality olive oil, dab onto a cloth and wipe any wooden furniture surface for a great polish to rival that of any chemical product. Make sure to only use white vinegar and not dark, as this could stain the wood! You could even mix in 2 or 2 drops of lemon juice for a great smelling natural alternative to that chemically fresh smell of shop bought furniture polish. As an alternative to purchased cleaning cloth, it’s possible to recycle by ripping a piece from an unused bit of fabric such as an old shirt, and washing each time for re-use.