Homemade Cleaners
Use
Common, inexpensive, mild-to-moderate alkalis (as
baking soda, ammonia), acids (lemon juice, vinegar),
household bleaches, and detergents can be used to do many
cleaning jobs around the home, if used properly according
to directions for specific surfaces and soils. They will
cost less than many commercial products.
A new formula should always be tested on an
inconspicuous part of the item to be cleaned to be sure
it does not damage the material or finish before using it
on a part that shows.
It takes time to mix up you own cleaners; usually only
enough for use at one time should be mixed up (unless
"storing" homemade window glass cleaner in a clean pump
bottle). Formula directions and labels on products used
should be read completely and followed exactly to prevent
damage to the surface and/or injury to the user.
Making complicated products like furniture cleaners
and waxes will probably cost more to get all the
ingredients and utensils than buying the commercial
product, and is dangerous since some ingredients are
flammable and/or toxic. It's safer and results will be
better by using commercial waxes and cleaners. Some
specialized cleaners have combinations of ingredients
that could not be duplicated at home, and will do a
better job for specific problems.
Safety
For safety, users should mix up just what they'll use
of most cleaners, not store them (unless as a glass
cleaner in a spray bottle), and keep them out of reach of
children who might drink them. NEVER put in food
container like a pop bottle! If any are stored, label
them!
For safety, when using strong alkalis, users should
wear rubber gloves. Alkalis that dissolve grease readily,
also dissolve oil out of one's skin. Gloves, rinsed off
after use, last a long time and cost less than extra
lotions rubbed into dry hands; and anyone can learn to
wear them!
Having a few basic "ingredients" around that can be
used for many kinds of cleaning will require less storage
space than dozens of different products and cause less
environmental problems in disposing of used or unused
products.
Many homemade cleaners may require a little more
elbow grease than some commercial spray-and-wipe
products. But if you need more exercise, that's a plus!