table of contents - extension winnebago county€¦ · mix ingredients in a spray bottle or bucket....
TRANSCRIPT
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Table of Contents
3—6 Introduction to Homemade Cleaners 7 Your Basic Green Clean Toolkit 8 Where to Find Ingredients 9—13 All-Purpose Cleaners 14—16 Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softeners, & Stain Remover 17—23 Kitchen Cleaners 24—26 Floor Cleaners 27—28 Drain Cleaners 29—31 Window, Glass, & Mirror Cleaners 32—33 Tub & Tile Cleaners 34 Plumbing Fixture Cleaners 35—36 Toilet Bowl Cleaners 37—39 Mildew & Mold Cleaners 40—43 Wood Cleaners 44—47 Metal Polishes 48 Garbage Can Deodorizer 49 Concrete Oil & Grease Cleaner 50—51 References
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Are Homemade Cleaners Any
Good?
Many people have the perception that a homemade cleaner is not
effective. Sometimes you will need to put in a little bit more elbow
grease to get something clean. Sometimes you may need to let it sit.
However, homemade cleaners can be as effective as conventional
ones… with a bit of knowledge and planning. When you consider the
costs to your health, the environment, and how much you could be
saving… it’s hard not to see the value in taking a few extra steps. The
key is… keeping a home clean makes the cleaning tasks a lot easier
than waiting until the job is too big!
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How Clean is Clean?
Most cleaning jobs only need soap or detergent, water,
and a little elbow grease.
Some surfaces may need extra attention to control germs:
Sanitizers reduce, but do not totally eliminate germs and are
usually safer to use.
Disinfectants destroy or inactivate germs but tend to be more
toxic and must be used with care.
Always label all cleaners clearly!!!
5
What About Ammonia and Bleach?
Ammonia and bleach are inexpensive and effective at
cleaning and disinfecting. They can be used sparingly and diluted as a
last resort in household recipes. However, NEVER mix ammonia
and bleach together (i.e., spraying the shower with bleach and glass
cleaner, which contains ammonia)! Mixing these chemicals together
can produce highly toxic fumes. A few more safety tips:
Chemicals can lose their effectiveness. Don’t mix
more than you will use.
If you mix ANY chemicals together, mix in a
well-ventilated area.
Label mixed solutions carefully, and keep out of
reach of children and away from food.
Never mix in food containers.
Store original chemicals in original containers.
NEVER mix bleach
with anything but
water! Toxic
fumes may be
produced with
other chemicals. 6
5 Things to Know Before You Start
So you thought that you’d never use that chemistry again?
Think again! It’s the key to effective, homemade cleaners! Before
you start, there are a few tips to apply:
1. Know the types of cleaners, because that will help with creating
cleaners.
2. Always start with as mild of a cleaner as you can. If the job is not
finished, even after a little elbow grease or letting it sit for a while,
then move up to a stronger recipe.
3. Remember: although gentler on us and the earth, this does not
mean these products are safe to be consumed. Please still keep all
cleaning products out of children’s reach!
4. A microfiber cloth can save a lot of time with simple tasks like
dusting.
5. Hot water will clean better than cold.
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Your Basic Green Clean Toolkit
Several spray bottles (glass & plastic)
Microfiber cloth
Brush, sponge, or mesh pad
Baking soda
Washing soda
Borax
Vinegar or lemon juice
Olive/vegetable oil
Vegetable oil-based soap, like castile soap
Optional:
Salt
Hydrogen peroxide
Tea tree/lavender oil
Essential oils for scent 8
Where to Find Ingredients
Washing Soda (sodium carbonate)
Available in the laundry aisle of the grocery store.
Borax (sodium borate)
Available in the laundry aisle of the grocery store.
Vegetable Oil-Based Liquid Soap (common name: castile soap)
Available in health food, natural food, and big box stores (Target,
Walmart, large grocery stores, and home improvement stores).
Essential Oils
Available in health food and natural food stores.
Melted Beeswax
Melt in a double boiler. Watch carefully, as beeswax has a high
melting point of 150 degrees. Break up the beeswax into small
pieces, as this will facilitate melting.
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All-Purpose Cleaners
All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe 1
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil-based liquid soap (castile soap)
2 cups hot water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle or
bucket. Apply, and wipe clean.
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All-Purpose Cleaners
All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe 3
2 tablespoons borax
1/4 cup vinegar
2 cups hot water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle or bucket. Apply, and wipe clean.
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All-Purpose Cleaners
All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe 2
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 gallon hot water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. For very light
jobs, you can also just use baking soda with water
OR 1/2 cup vinegar with 1 quart water.
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All-Purpose Cleaners
Non-Abrasive Soft Scrubber
1/4 cup borax
vegetable oil-based liquid soap (castile soap)
1/2 teaspoon lemon essential oil
In a bowl, mix the borax with enough soap to form a creamy paste.
Add lemon oil and blend well. Scoop a small amount of the mixture
onto a sponge, wash the surface, and rinse well.
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All-Purpose Cleaners
Scouring Powder
1 cup baking soda
1 cup borax
1 cup non-iodized salt
Put ingredients into a container. Sprinkle on area to be cleaned.
Wipe with a sponge, and rinse well.
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Laundry Fabric Softeners
Fabric Softener Recipe 1
1/4 cup vinegar
Add vinegar to final rinse of laundry cycle.
Fabric Softener Recipe 2
2 cups vinegar
2 cups baking soda
4 cups water
Mix ingredients, and store in a sealed container. Add 1/4 cup of the
mix to final rinse of laundry cycle.
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Laundry Detergent
1 cup ivory soap (powder)
½ cup washing soda
½ cup borax
Mix ingredients, and store in sealed container. Use 1 tablespoon for
light loads. Use 2 tablespoons for heavy loads.
*** Always follow manufacturer’s laundry
directions, found on all clothing and
household textiles.
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Laundry Stain Remover
Stain Removal
1/2 cup ammonia
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
2 tablespoons liquid soap (dishwashing soap)
2 quarts water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray on stain.
*** Pretreatment for stain removal: always soak bad stains in cold
water to loosen the substance before washing. Check the stain before
you throw the garment in the dryer. Heat can set stains.
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Kitchen Cleaners
Fragrant Kitchen and Bath Cleaner
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 pints water
4 drops essential oil (lavender, tea tree, lemon, lemongrass, or
rosemary)
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Use
as a final rinse after cleaning kitchen/bath
surfaces. Store in a cool, dark place.
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Kitchen Cleaners
Oven Cleaner Recipe 1
1/4 cup baking soda
2 tablespoons salt
Mix in hot water as needed to make a paste. Let paste sit for 5
minutes.
*** Don’t use on wires or heating elements.
*** Before using in a self-cleaning oven, check the owner’s manual
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Kitchen Cleaners
Sink and Appliance Cleaner
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 quart water
Dissolve the baking soda in the water. Wipe on fixtures. Rinse with
clean water.
*** Use to clean stainless steel, chrome,
fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain, or enamel.
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Kitchen Cleaners
Oven Cleaner Recipe 2
2 tablespoons vegetable oil-based liquid soap (castile soap)
2 tablespoons borax
Mix the soap and borax in a spray bottle. Fill the
bottle with hot water and shake well. Spray on
oven, and leave for 20 minutes. Scrub off.
*** Before using in a self-cleaning oven, check
the owner’s manual
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Kitchen Cleaners
Oven Cleaner Recipe 3
3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup non-iodized salt
1/4 cup water
steel wool, if needed
Make a paste out of the first three ingredients. Spread over inside of
oven (do not put on metal parts or openings). Leave overnight.
Remove with plastic spatula and wipe clean. Rub stubborn spots
gently with steel wool (do not use steel wool on self-cleaning ovens).
*** Don’t use on wires or heating elements
*** Before using in a self-cleaning oven, check the owner’s manual
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Kitchen Cleaners
Garbage Disposal Cleaner Recipe 1
1 cup ice
used lemon or orange rind
To eliminate garbage disposal odors, clean, and sharpen blades, grind ice
and rinds until pulverized.
Garbage Disposal Cleaner Recipe 2
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 cup vinegar
2 quarts boiling water
Pour baking soda down drain, followed by vinegar. Cover and let sit for
15 minutes. Follow with boiling water.
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Kitchen Cleaners
Refrigerator Cleaner
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 quart warm water
Dissolve baking soda in water. Use to wipe all surfaces inside and
out. For stubborn spots, rub with baking soda paste. Be sure to rinse
with a clean, wet cloth.
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Floor Cleaners
Wood Floor Cleaner
1 cup vinegar per pail of water
OR
2 tablespoons olive/vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice
Mix together, spray, and mop.
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Floor Cleaners
Laminate Floor Cleaner
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 gallon warm water
Mix ingredients. Don’t over-wet floors. Instead, apply with spray
bottle. Mop. Consider using a microfiber mop.
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Floor Cleaners
Linoleum/No-Wax Floor Cleaner
1/4 cup washing soda
1 tablespoon castile soap
1/4 cup—1 cup vinegar
2 gallons hot water
* cornstarch optional
Mix washing soda with water before the rest of the ingredients.
*** For extra polish, add 6 tablespoons of cornstarch per cup of
water.
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Drain Cleaners
Drain Cleaner Recipe 1
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 cup vinegar
2 quarts boiling water
Pour baking soda down drain, followed by vinegar. Cover, and let sit
for 15 minutes. Follow with boiling water.
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Drain Cleaners
Drain Cleaner Recipe 2
1/2 cup borax
2 cups boiling water
Pour borax down drain, followed by boiling water.
Drain Cleaner Recipe 3
boiling water
Use a plumber’s “snake” with boiling water.
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Window, Glass, & Mirror Cleaners
Window, Glass, & Mirror Cleaner Recipe 1
3 tablespoons vinegar
1 quart water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. For a stronger solution, mix half
and half vinegar and water.
Window, Glass, & Mirror Cleaner Recipe 2
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 quart warm water
Mix ingredients in spray bottle. 30
Window, Glass, & Mirror Cleaners
Window, Glass, & Mirror Cleaner Recipe 3
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
1/4—1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle, and shake up. Good for especially
dirty windows.
*** Window, Glass, & Mirror Cleaning Hint: Using
newspapers to clean windows, glass, and mirrors leaves a
streak-free shine.
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Window, Glass, & Mirror Cleaners
Window, Glass, & Mirror Polish
cornstarch
water
Mix together cornstarch and water to make a paste. Use a soft cloth
to apply the paste to the surface. Rub gently, then wipe clean with a
soft cloth.
*** For sparkling glass.
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Tub & Tile Cleaners
Tub and Tile Cleaner Recipe 1
white vinegar
baking soda OR non-iodized salt
Apply full-strength vinegar to a sponge, and wipe surface. Next, use
baking soda OR salt as a scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge,
and rinse well with clean water.
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Tub & Tile Cleaners
Tub and Tile Cleaner Recipe 2
1 & 2/3 cup baking soda OR salt
1/2 cup castile soap
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons vinegar
Mix first 3 ingredients, then add vinegar.
Apply, and scrub.
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Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe 1 (Mild)
1/4 cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar
Mix ingredients and pour into basin. Allow to sit for 3—30 minutes.
Scrub with brush, and rinse.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe 2 (Stronger)
1/2 cup borax
1 gallon hot water
Mix solutions, and scrub basin. Borax helps get rid of stains better
than baking soda.
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Plumbing Fixture Cleaners
Plumbing Fixture Cleaner Recipe 1 *** For stainless steel, chrome, fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain, or enamel fixtures
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 quart water
Dissolve the baking soda in the water. Wipe on fixtures, then rinse.
Plumbing Fixture Cleaner Recipe 2 *** For lime deposits
white vinegar
paper towels
Soak paper towels in vinegar and leave them on surface for about an
hour. Wipe clean.
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Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe 3 (Strongest)
1 cup borax
1/2 cup vinegar
Sprinkle borax around basin, and spray with vinegar. Leave
Overnight, then scrub with brush. This cleaner is extra strength.
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Mildew & Mold Cleaners
Mildew Cleaner Recipe 1
3 cups hot tap water
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup castile soap
1 teaspoon borax
1 teaspoon tea tree oil
1/2 teaspoon essential oil (optional)
Mix ingredients in spray bottle, and shake gently. Spray, and wipe.
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Mildew & Mold Cleaners
Mildew Cleaner Recipe 2
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup borax
Mix with water, and spray.
Mildew Cleaner Recipe 3 (For Tough Stains)
1/4 cup of bleach
1 quart of water
Spray, and let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing.
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Mildew & Mold Cleaners
Mold Cleaner
vegetable oil-based soap (castile soap)
baking soda
Use a stiff brush with castile soap and baking soda, and scrub. Make
sure to wear a mask and gloves because mold spores can be inhaled.
*** Hint: A mold problem is a moisture problem. Keep surfaces dry.
*** This is only intended for small areas of mold, such as in the
bathtub/shower. Use only on surfaces that do not absorb water.
*** Throw away sponge to prevent the spread of mold.
40
Wood Cleaners
Wood Cleaner
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice
Mix ingredients. Using a soft cloth, rub into the wood in the
direction of the grain.
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Wood Cleaners
Furniture Polish Recipe 1
1 lemon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon water
Cut and squeeze juice from lemon into small container, using a
strainer to remove the pulp and seeds. Add oil and water. Mix well (a
container with a lid makes mixing easy). Apply a thin coat on wood
surface, then buff with a soft cloth to a deep shine.
*** This polish should be made fresh for each use.
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Wood Cleaners
Water Rings on Wood Remover
non-gel, regular toothpaste
OR
mayonnaise
Rub toothpaste OR mayonnaise gently onto ring. Once ring is
removed, use furniture polish.
*** Water rings on a wood surface are the result of moisture that is
trapped under the topcoat but not the finish. Preventing water rings
is the easiest solution. Use coasters.
42
Wood Cleaners
Furniture Polish Recipe 2
1/4 cup melted beeswax
1 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Carefully and slowly pour the melted beeswax into a heat-resistant
bowl containing the olive oil and lemon juice. Slowly stir with a
wooden spoon. The mixture will thicken as it cools to the
consistency of smooth peanut butter.
To Use: Work a small amount into wood using a soft cotton cloth (or
repurpose an old t-shirt). Buff to a soft glow.
44
Metal Polishes
Chrome/Stainless Steel Polish
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 quart water
Dissolve the baking soda in water, wipe on, and rinse.
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Metal Polishes Copper Polish
Fine, non-iodized table salt vinegar OR lemon juice
Rub lightly with fine table salt (non-iodized) wetted with vinegar OR lemon juice.
Brass Polish
salt cornstarch vinegar OR lemon juice
With a soft rag, apply equal parts of salt, cornstarch, and a little vine-gar OR lemon juice. Rinse with warm water and mild dish soap.
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Metal Polishes
Aluminum Cleaner
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
Fill your aluminum pot with water and bring to a boil. For every
quart of water added, also add 1/2 cup of vinegar and 2 tablespoons
of cream of tartar. Boil the mixture for about 10 minutes, then pour
the mixture out. When the pot is cooled, wash it with dish soap.
46
Metal Polishes
Silver Polish Recipe 1
1 quart warm water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Line bowl with aluminum foil. Place silver in bowl, and cover with
boiling water. Add remaining ingredients and soak until tarnish
comes off.
Silver Polish Recipe 2
toothpaste
Rub toothpaste on silver, let dry, and
rinse.
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Garbage Can Deodorizer
1 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon tea tree oil
Mix together in a small bowl, working out all the lumps with a fork.
Sprinkle the mixture in the bottom of the trash can after the liner is
removed. Periodically rinse container with white
vinegar, and dry in the sun.
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Concrete Oil & Grease Cleaner
Oil and Grease Cleaner for Concrete
baking soda
Sprinkle baking soda on grease or oil spot. Scrub with wet brush.
Rinse well.
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Green cleaning: Do-it-yourself safe cleaning solutions (n.d.).
Retrieved from the Keen State College Recycling and Sustaina-
bility Office website: www.keene.edu/sustain/greenclean.pdf
Harris, M. (2013). Clean and green: Healthy homes, healthy people
(MP492-PD-4-11N). Retrieved from University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture, Research & Extension website:
http://www.uaex.edu/publications/PDF/MP492.pdf
Keel, M., & Hinds, B. (2015). Make your home healthy—Keep it clean
(W 318-A). Retrieved from University of Tennessee Institute
of Agriculture, Family & Consumer Sciences website:
https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/
W318-A.pdf
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References
Dinstel, R. (2011). Extension news column: Pinching pennies—
Laundry. Retrieved from University of Alaska Fairbanks, Coop-
erative Extension Service website: https://www.uaf.edu/files/
ces/newscolumns/laundry%20tips.pdf
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Retrieved from
www.epa.gov
Gibson, S. MS., & Turner, P. R. (2015). Green cleaning: Recipes for a
healthy home (HACE-E-73-1). Retrieved from University of
Georgia Extension website: http://www.fcs.uga.edu/docs/
June_2015_Recipe_Cards_Green_Cleaning_Booklet.pdf
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Winnebago County UW Extension
625 E. County Road Y, Suite 600
Oshkosh, WI 54901-8131
Phone: 920-232-1970 or 920-727-8643
Fax: 920-232-1967
711 for Wisconsin Relay
Website: http://winnebago.uwex.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winnebagocountyuwex/
Chris Kniep, Family Living Educator
Mandi Dornfeld, Family Living Educator
An EEO/Affirmative Action employer, University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming including Title VI, Title IX and ADA
requirements. Please make request for reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to educational programs as early as possible preceding the scheduled program, service or activity.