Natural Cleaning Wonders: Vinegar, Lemon, baking Soda

These days most cleaners on your local grocers shelves contain chemicals that can cause allergies and other health issues. Almost all need to be kept locked away from children or pets.

There are some really good alternatives that you can make at home without stretching an already thin household budget.

Vinegar is a natural all-purpose cleaner as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer

Mix 1 part water to 1 part white vinegar in a clean spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Do not use more vinegar as the acid will wear out some surfaces.

It is safe to use on most surfaces but never use vinegar on marble surfaces. The smell of vinegar disappears when it dries.

1. Bathroom - Practically anywhere in yur bathroom can be cleaned using this vinegar solution. Test a corner of your tiles to make sure you your solution is not too strong.
2. Kitchen- Use on stovetop, appliances, countertops, and floor.
3. Laundry Room- Vinegar is a natural fabric softener, especially helpful for sensitive skin. Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.  It also breaks down detergent preventing it from irritating sensitive skin.

Lemon Juice- can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits, clean and shine brass and copper. Mix it with vinegar and or baking soda to make a cleaning paste. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains. 

To use as hardwood furniture polish mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice.

Use orange peel or lemon peel in your garbage disposal to clean and deodorize it.

Baking Soda can be used instead of commercial abrasive cleaners to scrub surfaces and it is great deodorizer. Place an open box in the refrigerator and freezer, or closet to absorb odors. 

Happy cleaning.