Be sure to label all bottles carefully; use rubber gloves when needed, and keep products away from children, just as you would commercial cleaning products.
|
Instead of… |
Try… |
|
All-purpose cleaner |
Combine 1/2 tsp washing soda, 2 tsp borax, 1/2 tsp liquid soap or detergent in spray bottle. Add 2 cups hot water & shake well. Spritz walls, fixtures, countertops & wipe. For tough dirt, leave a few minutes. Store until next use. |
|
Ammonia cleaners |
Undiluted white vinegar in spray bottle. |
|
Bleach cleaners |
White vinegar or baking soda or borax |
|
Disinfectant (e.g., for cutting boards) |
1/2 cup borax and boiling water. Or use undiluted white vinegar. |
|
Drain cleaner |
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar down drain; let stand 15 minutes; add boiling water, then use punger. |
|
Furniture & floor polish |
3 parts olive oil to 1 part vinegar, or 1 tsp lemon oil to 2 cups mineral oil. |
|
Mildew remover |
Scrub with a vinegar & salt mixture; use borax to remove mildrew from plastic shower curtains. |
|
Oven cleaner |
2 Tbsp castille soap, 2 Tbsp borax & 2 cups water; set in over for 20 minutes. Scrub with baking soda & salt. |
|
Soft scrub (for bathtubs, showers, sinks, contertops) |
To 1/2 cup baking soda, slowly stir in enough liquid soap or detergent to make a frosting-like consistency (optional: 5-10 drops fragrant essential oil like rose or lavendar). Scoop onto sponge, rub & rinse. Make fresh batch each time. |
|
Toliet bowl cleaner |
Make a paste of borax & lemon juice; scrub with stiff brush; or combine 1/4 cup white vinegar & 2 cups water in spray bottle. Spray rim & leave 15 minutes before scrubbing with stiff brush. Store. |
|
Window cleaner |
1/4 cup white vinegar & 1/2 gallon warm water in spray bottle. Wipe dry with newspaer or squeegee. |
March 2001
If you have questions or comments, please call Wellness at 556.3334, e-mail us at wellness@iwu.edu, or stop by our office in the Shirk Center.