Home made cleaning solutions offer less expensive and and environmentally safer means of dealing with most of our household chores. The following article demonstrates how to use these methods.

Use a half and half mixture of white vinegar and water for many household cleaning projects such as hardwood floors, ceramic tile, kitchen and bathroom counter tops and the outside of the toilet. Boost the power of the mixture by heating in the microwave until barely hot. Spray shower walls with the heated solution, let stand about 20 minutes then scrub and rinse.

For a fabric softener use 1/4 cup white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser. The vinegar is dispensed during the rinse cycle. It acts as a softener by cutting the residue from the laundry detergent. If you want a nice minted scent in your clean laundry try the following recipe:

1 gallon white vinegar

A big handful of fresh mint leaves

place the mint leaves into a large bottle or container with a lid. Pour the vinegar over the leaves. Place a lid on the container and steep for 24 hours. Then strain the vinegar out of the leaves. Use 1/4 cup in each load of wash.

For more stubborn cleaning issues use undiluted white vinegar. In the bathroom pour straight white vinegar around the inside of toilet bowl and then scrub with toilet brush. Any remaining hard water rings can be removed by rubbing in an up and down motion using a pumice stone. Unclog shower heads of mineral deposits with undiluted white vinegar. Put 1/2 cup white vinegar in a plastic bag and fasten it with a rubber band to the shower head. Then let it stand overnight, rinse off and buff the showerhead. with a soft cloth.

Lemons also serve a housecleaning purpose. The lemon rind will polish porcelain while releasing a pleasant fragrance. Then dispose of the rind in the garbage disposal while the oils in the rind clean the unit and sharpen the blades.

Baking soda is not just for baking. use its abrasive action for many cleaning chores. My favorite is to sprinkle baking soda into a coffee carafe and wipe out with a damp sponge. Voila! Clean and shining! You can also use it on bathtub rings and the kitchen sink. Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply it to the tub or sink, let stand for about 20 minutes while the hard water deposits are softened and can b e removed. Keep the drains open by pouring about 3/4 cup baking soda into them. Dribble just enough hot water to wash the soda down and let stand overnight. Then rinse well with hot water. Do not use on blocked drains.

For cleaning windows use the following mixture:

1 cup rubbing alcohol

1 cup water

1 Tablespoon white vinegar.

Mix in a spray bottle.

For tougher jobs use the following solution:

1 cup rubbing alcohol

1 cup water

1 Tablespoon non sudsing ammonia

Strong All-Purpose Cleaner:

Mix in spray bottle:

1 Tablespoon clear, non sudsing ammonia

1 Tablespoon dishwashing detergent such as Dawn

2 cups water

Try these recipes and you will dispose of all your expensive and environmentally harmful cleaning supplies. Your pocketbook will thank you and your house will smell fresher, too.