Essential Cleaning Detergents and Homemade Solutions [Guest Post]
In this guest post from Ella Andrews we look at some simple tips on how you can make your own cleaning products so you don’t have to rely on expensive shop-bought cleaners – and what’s more, you probably have most of the ingredients in your cupboards at home!
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There are a number of house cleaning supplies and detergents that everyone should have in their cleaning arsenal. While some domestic cleaning tasks require stronger detergents (which you usually buy in stores) in a number of other cases you can use homemade solutions which deliver proven. Here are some of the best examples for homemade cleaning solutions.
A light detergent for small stains on carpets, rugs and upholsteries
Hot water, baking soda, dish detergent and shampoo.
This easy homemade detergent can save you much more time than you expect because there is no need to soak up the entire carpet, rub, rinse, and wait until it dries. By contrast with this simple detergent you can only spot clean the dirty areas such as coffee or tea spills or traces of dirty shoes. These light stains can be found almost everywhere throughout the house, but textile materials are more likely to be more affected. The application of this upholstery cleaning solution is via sponge or a small cotton towel. Rub the solution onto the spot and let it soak for a couple of minutes; then, wipe off the dirt and wipe with another clean towel with clean water only. Repeat the procedure if needed, but keep in mind that for the more persistent stains you will need a stronger homemade detergent.
A stronger detergent for very soiled textile surfaces and objects
Very hot water, powder laundry detergent, shampoo, baking soda and the juice of a lemon.
This concoction will leave the pleasant aroma of the shampoo and the lemon so it can be used as a deodorizer too and is perfect for kitchen cleaning for example. Treat the heavier stains for a longer time; that will enhance the soaking and dissolving effect of the solution. Use a brush, sponge or spatula if needed to force the solution to soak deep into the base of the carpets. This stronger solution is suitable for almost all types of greasy spots, such as those made by margarine, ketchup, gravy, wine, etc.
A detergent for flat and glossy surfaces, such as tiled floors, polished wooden surfaces, stones, laminate floorings, and more
Hot water, rubbing alcohol, lemon juice, dish detergent or soap, and cola.
Stir the solution well and apply it with a sponge or towel. According to how much of the ingredients you mix into the water, you can get a stronger stain removal solution for heavier stains, such as darker grout lines in the bathroom, heavily soiled tiles on kitchen walls, the kitchen sink, the counter-top, etc.
A detergent for glass, mirrors, windows and other glass surfaces
It is important to avoid abrasive ingredients as they can scratch the glass. That’s why, mix just cool water with dishwashing detergent, lemon juice and white vinegar. Apply the solution with a clean soft cotton cloth or with a squeegee; then, wipe off with another clean cloth. Finish with another soft paper towel to wipe off any dry trace and to polish the surface. This solution is perfect for window cleaning.
Conclusion
These homemade solutions are perfect for the removal of a vast array of domestic dirt types. Use these once or twice every month, or only a couple of times a year during spring-cleaning. The homemade detergents mentioned above provide a number of other advantages: Firstly, they are cheaper than the commercial detergents and secondly you can make the detergent right after you spot the dirt, because you probably already have the needed ingredients on the shelves in your kitchen. There is no need to read the overwhelming labels of the commercial house cleaning detergents, or to worry about any unexpected issues with the treated surfaces, because the ingredients contain no chemical compounds. This means no chemical odours to avoid, nor volatile chemical compounds in the air. These are true natural detergents, and the danger for the delicate natural fibres of the carpets is even less than when cleaning with a big and heavy machine that uses stronger sanitizing and deodorizing agents.
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