Who doesn’t love to keep a clean and tidy apartment home? However, shelling out big bucks for name-brand household cleaners can definitely add up in the long run. Instead of giving in to the costs, have you ever stopped to consider the possibility of making your very own cleaning formulas at home? It’s actually quite simple to create your own cleaners – and you might even find that they work just as well as the store-bought stuff! Here are three helpful ideas:
Kitchen Cleaner and Deodorizer
- 4 tablespoons baking soda
- 1-quart warm water
Baking soda is a great deodorizer, and its abrasive nature makes it wonderful for adding shine to stainless steel sinks and appliances. Pour baking soda straight from the box and into your drain or garbage disposal to remove odors. Have any baking soda left over? Place it in your fridge or freezer to reduce food smells. To shine and remove spots from stainless steel, make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply it with a damp cloth and rub gently in the direction of the metal’s grain. Rinse and buff dry.
Glass Cleaner
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup white or cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (70% concentration)
Adding shine to windows is an easy way to make your apartment home feel fresh. The next time you need to wash your windows and mirrors, don’t reach for the name-brand alternative – simply combine these ingredients, pour them into a spray bottle, and use a paper towel or soft cloth to wipe it away. Hint: Don't clean windows on a hot, sunny day, because the solution will dry too quickly and leave lots of streaks.
All-Purpose Cleaner
- One part white vinegar
- One part water
- Juice from one lemon
Aside from leaving a streak-free finish on glass and mirrors, vinegar is great for cleaning every nook and cranny of your home. Try out this all-purpose cleaner by combining the above ingredients in a spray bottle. Use the natural solution to remove hard water stains, clean trash cans, wipe away wall smudges, and much more. Besides a fresh scent, the acid in the lemon juice helps boost cleaning power. Just be sure you don’t use an acidic cleaner like this one on granite, as it will etch the stone!
Hilltop at Shavano Apartments in San Antonio, Texas