Put pantry staples of vinega, baking soda and lemons to use to keep your refrigerator, sink, and serving pieces clean and polished.
My daughter last week expressed interest in making natural laundry detergent for us to save a few bucks while being environmentally responsible. This got me thinking about the chemicals in my home.
I try to be mindful about the food I prepare, but then I love to cook! But I hate housecleaning, so I buy whatever cleaning product Dollar Tree influencers are touting without putting much thought into it. I recognized the disconnect.
After consulting professor Google, I found this information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and thought it may be useful to you. If you love DIY (or interested to learn more about “homemade” cleaning solutions), the following tips from Family Features and a few of my other favorite sources may be the inspiration you need to make your own DIY kitchen cleaners.
Baking soda
A natural, safe, effective and gentle solution, baking soda can serve multiple home cleaning needs. Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Rub onto silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry for shining serving or decor pieces. Additionally, you can sprinkle baking soda on upholstery and carpet to get rid of odors. We know keeping an open box in your refrigerator also absorbs orders, but did you know your used coffee grounds also work the same way?
Vinegar
Its acidity helps clean dirt and grime around the home, but did you know vinegar can be used to clean cloudy glassware? Simply soak paper towels or a cloth in full-strength white distilled vinegar and wrap around both the inside and outside of the glass. Let sit before rinsing clean. To remove lime deposits on your tea kettle, add ½ cup distilled white vinegar to the water and let it sit overnight. In the morning, boil the vinegar for a few minutes then rinse with water.
One of my favorite YouTube personalities a few years ago sang the praises of the Bissell Steam Shot handheld cleaner for keeping her refrigerator spotless. I was about to bite the bullet and invest in one when I read last year the company recalled over three million of these cleaners because of possible burn hazards to users. A safer alternative is in your kitchen pantry is vinegar! Combine equal parts of distilled white vinegar with warm water in a spray bottle and wipe away the sticky messes in your refrigerator. I try to do this every other week.
Lemons
With a fresh, natural smell, lemons have the acidity to remove soap scum, clean and shine brass and remove hard water deposits. Just spray some lemon juice on tile surfaces to remove soap scum or hard water deposits. Squeeze lemon juice on a cloth and use to polish brass around the home. (Add some baking soda if the brass is really dirty.)
When cleaning my kitchen sink, I like to use baking soda and a cleaning sponge. After rinsing, I rub half a lemon over the surface and let it sit for five minutes. Love the scent! Then I give a quick second rinse.
Here’s a hack from Food Network for cleaning your microwave. Pour in ½ cup water and the juice of half a lemon in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 3 minutes, then let the mixture sit for 5 additional minutes. The steam from the lemon water will help break down all the stuck-on food and give the microwave a fresh scent. Wipe with a clean cloth.
Have you seen the Angry Mama microwave cleaner? It makes me chuckle, although it does the same thing as the above hack using a small bowl. But if you like adding a little whimsy to your cleaning routine, it may be worth it. These are available through other retailers for less money, however. Keep your eyes peeled at your Dollar Tree for a dupe of this product for $1.25.
