Cleaning all surfaces

[ranaetire]

I'm having a spring cleaning party at my house. I make food and people come over and help me clean. Win win for me. I want to try more natural cleaning supplies but I don't want to go out and buy a bunch of "natural" ones. I want to make them. I was wondering what ya'll use to clean:
Bathroom tile
Linolium
bathtubs/sinks
wood (sealed and unsealed)
painted drywall
leather
glass
carpet (I have spots that need gone)

It would be awesome to get a base solution and add to it for each surface. I want something less toxic b/c the boy will lick everything and so will my small chihuahua. I'm pretty lazy with cleaning and will only do this about once a season...

[kbrown99]

LOVE the idea of a cleaning party.
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Kristina, wife to Ben, homeschooling, SAHM to 5 beautiful kids.

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[Raspberry Tart]

The four things I use to clean are:

Water
Vinegar
Baking Soda
Orange TKO

I use a combination of the above for all that you have listed. The amounts vary depending on the task.

Baking soda when you need abrasive, like tiles and kitchen sinks.

Diluted orange and vinegar in a water bottle for a multipurpose cleaner.

A bit higher concentration (still diluted though) orange for carpet stains.

Bucket of warm water with a bit of vinegar and orange for wood (wood floors).

Vinegar is great for all glass.

Just never combine vinegar with baking soda without any water first... unless you have a drain to unclog, then the recipe for that is equal parts vinegar and baking soda and nothing else.

I just play with the combos.

Very inexpensive way to clean - and safe!
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WOHM to DD (10/07) - happily married since 05/05 to a DH I never see

There are Alternatives to Debt- A place where I like to chat about even the smallest of ways to save money.

[mom23griffs]

have you ever seen the show "How Clean is Your House?" They have a book (or maybe more). The ladies use a lot of natural cleaners like vinegar baking soda and lemons. You might be able to get their books from the library. I have one and there's a bunch of cleaning solution 'recipes' in it.
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Christina: Wifey to Mike. Mama to Spencer (9), Gavin (6) and Mattingly Grace (3).

[ranaetire]

DH's grandma started cleaning parties as an excuse to critique MIL's cleaning. MIL and SIL kept doing them and now we take turns
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Ranae
The Dude-Aug '09 The Chick- May '12
Custom Knitting: http://hyenacart.com/thetireshop/

[k8secondo]

That is an awesome idea! I wonder if I could talk anyone into cleaning my house if I offered free food! LOL!!

And ditto to PP's about the baking soda, vinegar, & lemon juice. That's the easiest and cheapest way to clean!!
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Kate
Mama to my Marchies: AJ-2005 & L-2008
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[Seun Designs Inc.]

To add to the vinegar/baking soda, I have a steam mop now and I used that to do my hard floors. They sell a smaller one with a flexible hose and it can be used for counters, tiled walls, any surface really that won't melt at 100 degrees C. I'm very tempted to buy it as well. The mop works really, really well on the sticky juice spots that magically appear on the floor, although once in a while I need to get down and do the edges too.
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Margaret

Seun Designs Inc. on Etsy

[vickieboggs]

I make my own all purpose, counter tile and general surface cleaner and I make my own surface scrub as well.

It uses mostly just baking soda, borax, castile soap and essential oils.

I clean everything but glass with those 2 products. I also make my own laundry soap and fabric softener using those same products. Oh and furniture polish, I have made some for dark and light wood.
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madebyvickie

[vickieboggs]

[ranaetire]

I have the steam mop. I LOVE that thing! It takes up almost everything. I tried for 5 minutes to get the glue that hubby spilt on the linoleum up but no luck.
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Ranae
The Dude-Aug '09 The Chick- May '12
Custom Knitting: http://hyenacart.com/thetireshop/

[junko]

Cool idea, but I'd be soooo embarrassed to have someone clean my house
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~June

WAHM to J & K (6/29/95)

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[BuffOrganics]

I have lots of natural cleaning "recipes."

Creamy Soft Scrubber
½ cup Baking Soda
½ cup Sea Salt
Citrus EO
Water to make a paste
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin

Less-abrasive Scrubber
½ cup Baking Soda
Vinegar or Water to make paste *be careful if you use vinegar, it will bubble up when added to baking soda
EO if wanted
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin

Carpet Stains
Sprinkle Cornstarch
Let sit 20-30 minutes
Scrub w/ 1 cup water to 3 cups vinegar

Toilet Cleaner
Baking soda
Lemon Juice
Let sit, come back, add splash of vinegar and scrub

All Purpose Disinfectant
2 Drops Natural Soap
2 Cups Hot Water
15 drops TTO
15 drops Lavender EO

This can be used to clean anything. I spray it on counter tops, stovetop, bathroom, faucets, etc. I will also spray it on a cloth and wipe down baseboards, walls, blinds, sometimes toys.

Furniture Polish
¼ cup lemon juice
½ cup olive oil
OR
¼ cup vinegar
¾ cup olive oil

Wood Floor Wax
Equal parts olive oil and vinegar
Apply very thin coat and rub

Window/Glass Cleaner
¼ teaspoon liquid soap/detergent (optional)
3 tblspn vinegar
1 cups water

To mop wood floors I use hot water and vinegar with just a drop or 2 of natural liquid soap.

I have a gazillion more, so if you need others you can PM me. As with all cleaners, do a tester spot. Hope that helps
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Christa
Mom to William, Wife to Bill

[Seun Designs Inc.]

Oh, I forgot to mention that if you spray vinegar in your microwave and let it sit while you wash the plate thingy, you can just wipe everything off. I've never had anything resist the vinegar.
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Margaret

Seun Designs Inc. on Etsy

[BuffOrganics]