All Purpose Cleaner

This is a printable page Basic Cleaning Recipes .pdf

For cleaning walls, woodwork, bath and kitchen counters, appliances - outside and inside, plastic laminate counter tops and furniture, and carpet stains.

 
Recipe #1 
1/4 cup baking soda and 1 quart of water

Recipe #2 
2 cups warm water, 1/2 teaspoon washing soda, 1/2 teaspoon liquid dish detergent, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon Borax

Recipe #3 
2 tablespoons ammonia, 2 tablespoons liquid detergent, 1 quart warm water 

Disinfectant Cleaner
For cleaning kitchen counters, food preparation area, baby areas with germs, sick rooms, and toilet bowls. 
Recipe #1 (weak disinfectant) 
Pine Oil Cleaner and water (Follow package directions)
Recipe #2 (Stronger disinfectant but you MUST MIX FRESH - not effective after 2 or 3 days) 
1 tablespoon chlorine bleach to 1 quart water

Window Cleaner/Degreaser
For cleaning windows, glass, and mirrors, stove, oven, and greasy fingerprints.
Recipe #1
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 tablespoon non-sudsing or clear ammonia 1/4 teaspoon automatic dishwasher detergent 1 drop of blue food coloring (optional) 1-quart water
Recipe #2 
1 tablespoon of vinegar to 1 quart of water
Recipe #3 
1 tablespoon ammonia to 1 quart of water
Recipe #4 
Mix 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup ammonia and 1 cup vinegar in a jar. Wear gloves, if necessary, because vinegar is a mild acid. It will remove rust or lime deposits on the outside of windows. 
Recipe #5 
Mix 3 tablespoons ammonia, 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 3/4 cup water in a clean spray bottle. 

Drain Cleaner 
1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup white vinegar Boiling water
Pour baking soda down the drain. Add white vinegar and cover the drain, if possible. Let set for 5 minutes. Then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain. (The vinegar and baking soda break down fatty acids into soap and glycerin, allowing the clog to wash down the drain.) Do not use this method if you have used a commercial drain opener and it may still be present in the drain.

Drain Opener and Cleaners
*Use a plunger (plumber's helper). It may take a number of plunges to unclog the drain. Do not use this method if you have used a commercial drain opener and it may still be present in the drain. 
*Use a flexible metal snake. The mechanical snake may be purchased or rented. Thread it down the clogged drain, and you will be able to push the clog away. 
Wood Furniture Cleaner and Polish
1 cup olive oil and 1/3 cup vinegar Mix together until well blended. Use a clean, soft cloth to apply to the furniture.

Lime and Mineral Deposit Remover
Soak paper towels in vinegar. Apply the paper towels to the lime deposits around the faucet. Leave them on for approximately one hour. The deposits will be softened and can be removed easily.
Aluminum Cleaner
2 tablespoons cream of tartar and 1 quart water, To clean aluminum cookware, combine ingredients in cookware. Bring solution to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Wash and dry as usual.

Brass Cleaner
Lemon juice and baking soda, Make a paste about the consistency of toothpaste. Rub onto brass with a soft cloth. Rinse with water and dry.

Chrome and Stainless Steel Cleaner
Dip soft cloth in undiluted white vinegar. Wipe surface.

Oven Cleaners
Recipe #1 
Baking soda and very fine steel wool
Sprinkle water on oven surface. Apply baking soda. Rub using very fine steel wool. Wipe off scum with a damp sponge. Rinse well and dry.
Recipe #2
While oven is still warm, sprinkle water on the spill, then sprinkle salt on it. When the oven cools down, scrape the spill away and wash the area.

Heavy Duty Oven Cleaning
Pour 1/2 cup full strength ammonia (any type) into a bowl and place in warm oven. Leave for several hours - or overnight. Wipe clean with sponge, damp cloth or plastic net scrubber.

Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Recipe #1 Borax and lemon juice
Mix lemon juice and borax to make a paste about the consistency of toothpaste. Flush toilet to wet sides. Rub paste on toilet bowl ring. Let sit for 2 hours and then scrub thoroughly. Borax is a toxic ingredient. Handle it with care and store it safely.
Recipe #2 Baking soda and vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl. Add vinegar. Scour with a toilet brush.
Recipe #3
Pour 1/2 cup liquid chlorine bleach into toilet bowl. Let stand for 30 to 45 minutes. Scrub with a brush. Flush. Do not mix bleach with vinegar, toilet bowl cleaner, or ammonia. Chlorine bleach is a toxic ingredient. Handle it with care and store it safely 

Upholstery Cleaner
Mix 1/2 cup mild liquid dishwashing detergent with 1 pint boiling water and let cool. Whip into a thick foam using an electric mixer. Pretest a small area before proceeding. Apply the foam to the fabric with a damp sponge. Wipe off the suds with a clean cloth. To rinse, add 1 cup of white vinegar to 1 gallon of lukewarm water. Rinse well, using as little liquid as possible, and change the water often. Put pressure on a clean white towel to remove the moisture (do not rub).