Make sure to label the containers so you know what they are. Borax can be harmful, so keep it away from children & check warning labels for other ingredients as well.

I use some of these, but have not yet tried them all. As I try them, I will remove any that I find don't work.

If you know of others, please feel free to email them to me, so I can add them to the list.

 

Laundry Soap:

Water

1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap, grated

½ C Washing Soda

½ C Borax

 

Measure 3 pints water into cooking pot. Add grated soap. Cook over medium heat until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda & Borax. Stir until thick like honey. Remove from heat. Pour 1 qt hot water into 2 gal bucket; stirring in soap mixture. Stir until well blended. Cover & set aside for 24 hrs. It will gel up. Use ½ C for each load.

 

Fabric Softener:

1-2 C Vinegar

 

Dryer Sheets:

Apply 2-3 drops Essential Oil to clean, dry washcloth & add to dryer

 

House Plant Pests:

Blend 2-3 very hot peppers, ½ onion, & I clove garlic in water. Boil. Steep for 2 days & strain.

Used as a spray, this liquid is good for indoor & outdoor plants & can be frozen for future use

 

All-Purpose Cleaner 1:

4T baking Soda

1 qt warm water

 

Dissolve baking soda in warm water. Apply with a sponge. Rinse with clean water.

 

Drain Cleaner:

½ C baking Soda

½ C vinegar

Boiling water

 

Pour baking soda down drain. Add vinegar & cover drain. Let sit for 5 min. Pour pot of boiling water down drain.

 

Furniture Cleaner & Polish 1:

3 C olive oil

1 C vinegar

 

Mix together until well blended. Use a clean, soft cloth to apply to furniture.

 

Air Freshener:

Dissolve 1 tsp baking soda in 2 C hot water. Add a few drops of essential oil of your choice. Once cool, pour into spray bottle. Use as you would any spray air freshener.

 

Liquid Dish Soap:

Grate bar of Fels Naptha soap into saucepan. Cover with water & simmer over low heat until melt together. Add some vinegar for tough grease. Once cool, pour into container. Use as you would any liquid dish soap.

 

Lime & Mineral Deposit Remover:

Soak paper towel in vinegar. Apply to lime deposits around faucet. Leave them on for approx. 1hr. The deposits will be softened & can easily be wiped off.

 

 

Aluminum Cleaner:

2T Cream of Tartar

1 qt water

 

Bring solution to boil in aluminum cookware & simmer for 10 min. Wash & dry as usual.

 

 

Brass cleaner 1:

Lemon Juice

Baking soda

 

Make a paste the consistency of toothpaste. Rub onto brass with soft cloth. Rinse with clean water & dry.

 

Brass Cleaner 2:

Lemon Juice

Cream of Tartar

 

Make a paste the consistency of toothpaste. Apply to surface & let sit 5 min. Wash with warm water & dry with soft cloth.

 

Chrome & Stainless Steel:

Spray with vinegar. Wipe with soft cloth.

 

Oven Cleaner:

Baking Soda

Water or vinegar

 

Sprinkle or spray water or vinegar on surface. Add baking soda. Scrub with very fine steel wool or scrubby sponge. Wipe with soft side of sponge. Rinse & dry.

 

Toilet Bowl Cleaner:

Sprinkle baking soda into toilet. Add vinegar. Scrub with toilet brush. Flush to rinse.

 

Ceramic Tile Cleaner:

Bucket of warm water

½ C vinegar

 

Mix in bucket & clean floor with sponge, rag, or mop.

 

Wood Floor Cleaner:

½ C vinegar

½ C vegetable oil

 

Mix together & apply to floor in thin, even layer. Buff surface

 

Linoleum Floor Cleaner:

½ C Vinegar in bucket of water

 

Bleach Replacement:

Hydrogen Peroxide for spot cleaning

 

½ C Borax in 2 gal hot water for all over soak

 

Mold & Mildew:

Equal parts vinegar & water

 

Shower Curtain:

Spray weekly with mixture of Borax & water

 

Cutting Boards:

Wipe with Vinegar

 

 

Disinfectant:

½ tsp Essential Oil (lavender, thyme, eucalyptus, or tea tree)

1 C distilled water

can add 1 tsp Rubbing Alcohol for extra disinfecting power

 

 

Wipes:

Cut a roll of plain Bounty paper towels in half with sharp knife. Place in plastic coffee can large enough to hold towels. Mix 2 C warm water, 1T baby shampoo, & 1T baby oil. Pour mix over towels. Pull out tube. Cut small X in lid. Cover with Saran Wrap shower cap-type covers to prevent towels from drying out.