2018 is about to bid us goodbye and it’s time to make a new start. Unlike all the ineffectual new year resolutions that I make every year which bear no fruit, I have decided to opt for something much simpler. You see, I decided that I shall follow in the hallowed footsteps of the Japanese Author, Marie Kondo, and decided that I shall throw/give away any material possessions which had no real meaning/use in my life.
Motivated by this mantra, I decided to tackle my beloved storeroom first. Being mildly obsessive about cleaning (think Monica from the TV show Friends and now dial that down to about a six) storeroom was the perfect place for me to begin the cleaning. This was because it was the place where I stashed my cleaning supplies. Once I decided to organize it, I realized that I bought too many supplies, almost all of which were chemical cleaners — floor cleaners, wood cleaners, brass polishers, glass cleaners, you name it I had it. Upon realizing that I spent way too much money on these cleaners, I wondered if there was a way I could make them at home. Doing this would ensure that I spend less money on housekeeping supplies than what I spend usually. So I decided to dig through the entrails of the Internet for DIY methods to make cleaners at home and after a thorough investigation found these magical cleaners.
1. The “You’ll-Forget-There-Is-Glass-There” Glass Cleaner
Shutterstock
What You Need: 1/4th teaspoon of washing soda, half a cup of hot water, 1/4th teaspoon liquid soap or detergent, 2 cups of club soda and a spray bottle
- Don’t confuse washing soda with washing detergent, it’s a chemical compound which is also known as Sodium Carbonate or Soda ash. It’s readily available online and in the superstores. It’s also a common ingredient in most cleaning supplies.
- Dissolve the washing soda in the hot water, and transfer the mixture to a spray bottle.
- Now, add the detergent and the soda to the contents of the spray bottle. Put the lid on the bottle and give it a shake to mix the contents thoroughly. Voila! Your amazing glass cleaner is ready! I tried this on my windows and what do you know? It actually works!
2. The “So-Shiny-You-Can-See-Your-Reflection” Toilet Scrubber
Shutterstock
What You Need: Half a cup of baking soda, half a cup of white distilled vinegar and a toilet brush
- The ingredients are easily available in the market. All you’ve to do is pour them into the toilet bowl, follow it up with a good scrubbing with the brush, and then just flush the toilet.
- Don’t worry if you hear a sizzling sound after pouring the ingredients in the toilet bowl, that’s just the ingredients getting ready to work. Toilet cleaning was never this easy (yes, it takes care of those skid marks too!)
3. The “Make-It-Shine-Like-Silver” Stainless Steel Cleaner
Shutterstock
What You Need: Vinegar, olive oil, and a soft cloth
- This one is super easy. All you need to do is spray the stainless steel surface (it’s suitable for appliances like fridge, oven etc) with the vinegar and use the soft cloth to gently rub it in the direction of the grain to wipe away smudges if there are any.
- Next, dip the cloth in olive oil and use it to polish the surface by rubbing it on the surface in the direction of the grain. You will find the steel surface shining like silver in no time!
4. The “Stain-Today-Gone-Tomorrow” Wood Cleaner
Shutterstock
What You Need: Half a cup of lemon juice (Use 4 lemons), 1/4th cup of water, half a teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent, few drops of olive oil and a cleaning sponge
- Pour the ingredients in a bowl. Combine them to form a mixture. Dip the sponge in the mixture, squeeze out the excess and then use it to clean the surface.
- Although lemon juice makes for an effective ingredient, if you want to make the cleaner in a large batch to use it for future purposes, we would advise you to use vinegar instead. If you plan to make it fresh for each use, then lemon is fine.
5. The “Bring-It-On” Multipurpose Cleaner
Shutterstock
What You Need: Half a teaspoon of washing soda (baking soda will also do), 2 teaspoons of borax, half a teaspoon of liquid detergent and 2 cups of hot water
- Add the washing soda, borax, and soap along with the hot water in a bowl and transfer the contents of the bowl to the spray bottle. And put on the lid. Now shake it to blend the ingredients.
- You can use it to clean any surface you want. For normal day-to-day cleaning just spritz it on the surface that needs cleaning and then wipe with a cloth. For stubborn stains, spray them with the cleaner and let it sit for a while before you rub it with a cloth.
Dear readers, if you also want to minimize your housekeeping budget, and start the new year on a clean note, then these cleaners are your best bet. If you know any other DIY cleaners or other neat tricks to banish the dust and grime away, please share them in the comments section.
The post The Only 5 Cleaning Products You Need & How To DIY Them appeared first on STYLECRAZE.