Last week, we explored DIY all-purpose cleaning solutions. This week, we are back with more cleaning solutions to help in your home. However, these DIY cleaning solutions are more focused on specific jobs, rather than all-purpose. DIY cleaning products are a great way to save money. Many of these supplies are already in people’s cabinets or are a fraction of the cost of store-bought cleaning solutions. Read on to learn how to get your DIY clean on!
Simple Grout Cleaner
- 1 cup of baking soda
- ½ cup of water
This ratio can be scaled up or down as needed. It is a fairly easy two parts baking soda to one part water solution. Mix the solution together in a bowl or bucket until it forms a paste-like consistency. Then, use a grout brush or old toothbrush to cover the grout lines with the paste. Scrub the grout carefully with the brush, and then rinse the area with water.
If the grout is extra stained or grimy, the water can be substituted for vinegar. If you are using vinegar, test the solution on a small part of the wall first. The acidity of vinegar has the potential to clean the grout while staining the tile itself.
Window And Glass Cleaner
- 2 cups of water
- ¼ cup of distilled white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon of dish soap
Combine all of the ingredients in a spray bottle that holds at least 24 ounces. Shake the solution vigorously to combine the substances. The dish soap and vinegar cut through grime and grease to leave sparking glass in their wake. Remember to shake this solution before use every time to ensure that nothing has separated.
Stained Tile Floor Cleaner
This recipe is intended to act as a spot cleaner for tile floors. However, it is possible to scale up the proportions for a general tile floor cleaner. The general floor cleaner is labelled ‘large batch’, and we have done the math, so you don’t have to.
Small-Batch
- 1 cup of water
- ½ cup of distilled white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Combine all of the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake vigorously. That’s it! A perfect spot cleaner that lifts stains.
Large-Batch
- 1 gallon of water
- 8 cups of distilled white vinegar
- 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
Combine all of the ingredients in a large bucket and stir gently with a mop. Use the same mop to clean the floor. Give the floor plenty of time before walking over it. The vegetable oil is rather diluted, but it is still a bit more slick than store-bought cleaners.
Carpet Stain Remover
- ¼ cup of table salt
- ¼ cup of white vinegar
- ¼ cup of borax powder
Mix the ingredients together in a bowl until it forms a paste consistency. Apply the paste to the stained area and allow to dry for at least 24 hours. Once the paste is dry, vacuum it up. The mixture not only lifts the stain, but also acts as a deodorizer.