As I’m sure most of you who have set up housekeeping on your own have realized the cost of basic cleaning supplies can take a chunk out of a man’s pocket book. Cleansers, cleaners, soaps, detergents . . . they add up quick! But there are some pretty effective substitutes for the high dollar stuff and most of them are not only much cheaper but also less toxic. I’ll run down the list of each substitute giving it’s uses:
Baking Soda: This is a great one! For something like 50 cents a box you can replace or enhance several much more expensive cleaners. For instance baking soda makes a great cleanser . . . just sprinkle a bit on the area needing scoured and rub in with a damp cloth. Works just as good as most scouring powders on sinks, counters and cooking ware but there is no toxic residue left over. I use it on my appliances as well. You can also add a half cup to your laundry and cut your detergent use in half! I just sprinkle it in right after I add the detergent and let it do it’s magic. The soda softens the water allowing the detergent to work better at pulling dirt out of your clothing and as an added benefit it helps reduce odors – I always make sure to use it in my towels and bedding for that very reason. Of course that odor fighting property comes in very handy when you sprinkle a bit in the bottom of your trashcans as well. I also use it when cleaning the bathroom where I apply it as a cleanser on the sink and tub/shower and then add a bit to the mop water. You have to use a rinse water when you mop with it as it will make the floor dull otherwise but it does really freshen the room. In a real pinch, believe it or not, you can even use it as an emergency shampoo! I read this many years ago in a Mother Earth News article and put it to the test on a camping trip. Sure enough it did a great job! You can’t use it all the time as it will dry out your hair and if you happen to color your hair I’d think twice about it since I’m not sure what the result would be. But I can tell you that if you are out of shampoo that a teaspoon or so of baking soda does a very good job! Just wet down your hair, make a paste out of the baking soda in your hand and then massage into your scalp . . . rinse and voila!
Vinegar: Vinegar is another cheap and useful cleaning substitute. Of course you probably know about it’s ability to clean out coffee makers (just run a couple cups through – but be prepared for some powerful fumes so open the windows and move the pet birds!). It’s also great at shining metal fixtures, removing tough baked on food and removing lime deposits in the kitchen and bathroom. It’s also of course a perfect window cleaner along with a couple sheets of newspaper. The only problem is the harsh odor but this quickly goes away and the money savings are such that it’s well worth it.
Bleach: Unlike the other two bleach is pretty toxic so you want to make sure that you rinse things very well after you use it – especially if it involves food. Having said that however we need to remember that bleach is excellent at sanitizing things. I add a few drops to the baking soda when I scour my counter tops and appliances because it not only kills bacteria it also pulls out any stains. A half cup or so added to the mop water really makes the floors look much better and about once per month I make a habit out of soaking my utensils in a sink of hot water with a half cup of bleach added. After they soak for a half hour of so I drain, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry. It pulls stains out of plastic cooking utensils and sanitizes everything. Of course I use bleach in the bathroom also to clean and sanitize those surfaces.
Finally Lemon Juice: Not only is this of course non-toxic it also leaves a nice aroma in the air afterwards. Lemon juice is fairly acidic and so, like vinegar, it helps remove baked on food. It’s also effective at removing stains from counter tops and cutting boards. If you have a pot or pan that has baked on food just cut a lemon in half , sprinkle a teaspoon worth of salt in the item to be cleaned and then use the lemon to scrub it down. The salt acts as a scouring agent while the acid in the lemon softens and breaks down the baked on food. It’s good at cleaning stainless steel or porcelain sinks and I like to add just a bit to my washrag when I clean out the fridge as it has some anti-bacterial properties and leaves a nice scent behind.
These four items, Baking Soda, Vinegar, Bleach and Lemon Juice have the advantage of being cheap, versatile and with the exception of the bleach, non-toxic. They will substitute for several other more expensive cleaners which means you end up with a house that is just as clean but with more green left in your pocket!
I’d love to hear about any other money saving tips for house cleaning – or anything else. Just fire off a comment and we’ll be glad to share it with everyone else.
Until next time . . . Be Well!
Bill
