Hopefully you found my first set of Dirty Little Secrets to be helpful. My second installment concentrates on my least favorite place to clean: the bathroom (dun dun dunnn!). However, I promise that these secrets are better than any store bought anything EVER. Seriously. I’m now strangely satisfied when I’m through scrubbing away soap scum. I may need help, and possibly medication. Who gets this excited about cleaning?
Below is a repeated section of the first round of dirty little secrets. I thought it may be helpful to have it all in one place (again).
I make all of my household solutions with the following:
–Baking soda. Mine is used so much that I keep a giant jar of it right next to my flour, sugar and coffee containers on the counter. I go through maybe 12 pounds of it per year. And it’s almost always generic brand. Baking soda is baking soda.
–White Vinegar. I often can make it a whole year on about 2 gallons. Another product that is satisfactory when purchased as a generic brand.
–White ammonia. Again, generic is perfect. The white part is very important.
–Rubbing alcohol. Generic! I only go through a pint each year.
–Peroxide. You guessed it- generic! Maybe 2 pints per year for cleaning.
–Dawn dish washing liquid. My personal preference and I’ve found to be best smelling. Here, brand can matter. And the blue colored kind is just fine.
–Suave hair conditioner. I swear. I but about 4 of these a year. At less than $1 at the grocery its an amazing value! Its almost always just used for scent – I like waterfall. But if coconut or something is your thing, go for it!
–Lemon juice, sometimes actual lemons. Lemon juice is naturally antiseptic, acidic and nicely scented. All perfect for my purposes. Actual lemons are only a preference when I make a few of these things. Lemon juice keeps longer in the pantry and fridge.
–Essential oils: Tea Tree Oil and Peppermint are best.
I bought all of these AND my homemade laundry detergent supplies in one swoop at Walmart for less than $50!
**Important to note**
– I always purchase new spray bottles and storage containers for my cleaning supplies. As nice as recycling is… the chemical reaction, burn and explosion risk of splashing new chemicals into old chemical containers FAR out weighs the benefits. Just don’t do it.
–Mixing anything is always dangerous. Lots of my cleaners rely on small chemical reactions between acids and bases. Use gloves, glasses operate in a well ventilated area ( I use my back deck). I always take a thorough shower after my mixing to ensure nothing lingers on my skin or runs the risk of getting my eyes or mouth.
-It may be a good idea to test some of these solutions on the surfaces of your home first. For instance, I have Corean countertops. If you have granite or something else you may want to check with your care manual or test a spot yourself before using all over. The same goes for carpet, clothing, tiles, tubs, sinks, flooring, appliances, etc.
-Always store these and all chemicals away from the reach children and pets. Be smart.
One more secret weapon: Lemon Infused Vinegar
Place the peels of 2 lemons in a wine bottle (or any bottle you can reseal well), fill with vinegar. Allow to sit/ferment for 2-4 weeks. Shake the bottle once a week. When ready, strain lemon and debris from vinegar into a new clean container. You can use this vinegar wherever any of my recipes call for vinegar. It takes the funky scent from vinegar and adds to its cleaning power!
Ok… now for those fantastic bathroom solutions:
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
1/2 cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar
Pour vinegar into toilet bowl. Allow to sit for 30 minutes (while you clean the rest of the bathroom). When you return to this task, swoosh your toilet brush around and scrub quickly under the rim. Then sprinkle baking soda onto the wet brush and scrub the toilet bowl all over, repeating until the baking soda is gone (2 or 3 sprinkles). Flush t one or two times. Good as new … and bleach free!
Soap Scum Remover
1 cup warm vinegar *(microwave 1-2 minutes- if you allow it to sit in the microwave for a minute after it is finished, the vapors break down the gook on the walls/door of microwave and they simply wipe away. two birds – one stone. You’re welcome.)
1 cup Dawn
Mix ingredients in spray bottle. Shake well. Spray on stream setting (if possible) onto walls of the shower, tub or sink. Allow to soak and “scrub” on its own for a few minutes. This works like scrubbing bubbles- Spray on, rinse off with hot water. Occasionally, wiping is necessary on the tough build-up spots. This amount is usually enough for my two full bathrooms. Perk: it also dissolves soap scum on glass shower doors and enclosures. Miracles, I tell you!
Tub Scrub
1 cup baking soda
1 TBSP Dawn
Few drops of your favorite essential oil (I heart peppermint)
Mix ingredients into a paste in a small mixing bowl with a metal cereal spoon. Wood spoons stick too much and the cereal spoon is a manageable size. Use a plastic bristled scrub brush or shower scrubber to scrub into tub sides, bottom and around drain. Rinse away well with hot water. Also works on tiled shower floors. It may take a little elbow grease to get great results, but its cheaper, better for you and better smelling than foaming cleaners!
Hardware
Clean stainless steel faucets and handles with all-purpose vinegar solution. Then shine them up (and prevent water marks with baby oil or olive oil on a rag.
Floors
I use my same mopping solution for the bathroom floors. For stubborn mildew or mold (especially in grout) try the soap scum remover to spot clean.
Counters, doors, cabinets and moulding/trim
I use the all-purpose vinegar cleaning solution. I dissolves hairspray, makeup residue, toothpaste gunk and so on from most any non-porous surface.
Windows and mirrors
Use “I wish I were Windex” and wipe away!
Happy Cleaning! And always remember what my mom says to carry with you while you clean!
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