Cleaning Tip #5 :: Cheap Shower Cleaner

I know I've posted several cleaning recipes or hints for the bathroom, but this tip happens to be my new favorite, so I'm sharing!

Tip #5 ~ Pick up a bottle of original Dawn dish detergent, a small bottle of vinegar, and a squirt bottle on sale or at a dollar store. You could even reuse a condiment bottle. Pour 1/2 cup of Dawn into the bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with the vinegar. Viola! Cleaning product created. I spray my shower down and let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes; then scrub with a good bristle brush. Then rinse; repeat if needed.

When I used it on the glass section of my shower, I didn't let it dry and lightly wiped it with a paper towel. I did have to scrub a little for shampoo or conditioner on the glass. Then I rinsed - clear as day!

Cleaning 101 - Tip #3 :: Bathroom Mold

Every now and then, we all experience the unsightly bathroom mold or mildew; it lingers in our tile grout and sealant lines. Besides using brand name chemicals, how can you get rid of it? Here are several options.

Tip #3:

Make a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray onto areas with mold or mildew. Wait one hour before rinsing.

Another cleaning solution, involves equal parts vinegar and water sprayed onto the area.

Or, if you prefer, 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Again, spray the area. Rinse thoroughly, followed by a light vinegar wash and a final rinse.

Homemade Cleaner Recipes ::

Spring Cleaning begins this next week. (Are you excited yet?) I've got my supplies, my lists, and my favorite music lined up on Spotify. To help with getting things in order, I'm going to make my cleaners using Baking Soda, Borax, Lemon oil, Kosher salt, liquid soap and vinegar. Some cleaning formulas I will be using this week can only be prepared right before use, but there are a couple I can mix in advance to save time.

Below are the cleaning recipes I will be using (some of these I've used before, others will be my first time experiencing). I'm going to put them in their own plastic sprayers. Make sure you label each bottle according with ingredients to avoid any mishaps. Also, if you use commercial cleaners as well as homemade ones, be sure to double check ingredients and labels for any possible caustic reactions. As with all things, before you apply a homemade or commercial cleaner to your stove, sink, bathtub, etc. test it in a conspicuous place to determine if it is suitable for your materials. Be sure to keep out of the reach of children.

All Purpose Cleaner - make ahead of time

Mix 1/2 c. vinegar and 1/4 c. baking soda (or 2 tsp. borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.

Non-Gritty Scrubber - best made the day of use

Simply pour about 1/2 c. of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid soap to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. A great cleaner for the bathroom.

Window Cleaner - make ahead of time

1/4-1/2 tsp. liquid soap

3 Tbsp. vinegar

2 c. water

Spray bottle

Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.

Wood Polish - make ahead of time

1/2 tsp. olive oil,

1/4 c. vinegar or fresh lemon juice

Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.

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As I go along in my cleaning, I will post special tips and other cleaning recipes, so stay tuned to this week of Spring Cleaning!