Make Your Own Cleaners! by Lisa Van den Boomen

There is one basic cleaning product I make which I use from countertops to the bathroom. It has a strong smell but cleans very well!

Extra Strength Multi-Purpose Cleaner

* 1/4 cup baking soda
* 3/4 cup household ammonia
* 1/2 cup white vinegar
* 1 gallon (16 cups) warm water
* 2 drops of food coloring (optional)

Mix all ingredients and store. Pour into spray bottle when needed.

Window Cleaner

* 1/2 tsp liquid soap (detergent)
* 3 Tbsp. vinegar
* 2 cups water
* 1 drop blue food coloring (optional)

Blend well and store in spray bottle.

Vinegar Window Cleaner

* 1/2 cup white vinegar
* 1 gallon (16 cups) warm water

Just mix and scrub. When washing windows, using newspaper is best.

Scouring Powder

* 1 cup baking soda
* 1 cup borax
* 1 cup salt

Blend and store in container.

Dust and Furniture Polish

This is so easy to make, and it works!

* 1 cup vegetable oil
* 1/2 cup lemon juice

Pour oil and lemon juice into a squirt bottle or jar. Stir to combine. To use, dip dust cloth or rag into oil, blot the oil by folding the cloth together, and then dust your furniture. Leaves a beautiful finish!

Dishes & Your Dishwasher

To help with odors from your dishwasher, add 1/2 cup of vinegar. Is your dishwasher dirty and grimy? Make sure dishwasher is completely empty. Add "Tang" drink crystals where you would normally place dishwasher detergent. Run with "light" cycle. Your dishwasher will be spotless! Do this about twice a year.

Have you run out of dishwasher detergent? Use 1 Tbsp. of baking soda with 1 Tbsp. of borax. If you will be using this mixture on a regular basis, add vinegar to the rinse cycle every few loads.

Disinfectant Wipes

* 1/2 Cup pine cleaner (or Lysol)
* 1 1/2 Cups of water
* Thick roll of paper towels (such as Bounty)

Use a canister that holds a half of a paper-towel roll. Cut the roll of towels in half, put it in the container and remove the cardboard insert. Mix the cleaner and water in a cup and pour it over the towels. (Try not to make it sudsy.) Let it sit overnight till all the towels are saturated. Use as you would name-brand disinfectant wipes.

Miscellaneous Cleaning Tips

Toilet bowls: Add 1 cup vinegar and let sit overnight. Scrub and flush! or: add 1 Tbsp of household ammonia. Let sit overnight. Scrub and flush!

Tiles: Use washing soda and scrub on tiles. Rinse. That's it! Now you have clean shiny tiles!

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Lisa Van den Boomen currently teaches workshops on making your own bath and body products and food gifts. You can contact her at tulip27@hotmail.com