Homekeeping – A Natural Shine To Cleaning (Recipes)

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Here’s a tip list of over a dozen natural cleaning recipes I compiled from an article published in the first issue of Martha Stewart’s magazine (Martha Stewart Living, Winter 1990).

I went through a slight obsession years ago to own each and every Martha Stewart Living magazine, this picture is a scan of my copy of Martha’s premiere issue (you can see the top of the title is a bit faded)–I consider Martha as the original “DIYer”!

I also referenced a few tips that were previously published on Tipnut for more cleaning recipes. Lots of handy stuff here!

To Disinfect: These two recipes work well on bathroom and kitchen surfaces

1. 1/2 cup of borax dissolved in one gallon of hot water
2. 2 cups of boiling water poured over 2 cups of fresh thyme (an antiseptic herb); steep for ten minutes; strain & cool. Store in plastic spray bottles.

All Purpose Scouring Powder:

1. Grind dried petals or fragrant herbs and mix with baking soda.

Also check out these Homemade Softscrub Cleaners.

Metal Cleaners:

1. Silver: Use toothpaste
2. Brass: Use equal parts salt and flour, add a touch of vinegar to make paste. Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, and ketchup also work. Let sit before wiping dry. You’ll also find tips for cleaning brass, copper and metals here.
3. Copper: Use a paste of lemon juice and salt.

Floor Cleaning Recipes:

1. All Purpose Floor Cleaner: 1 cup of vinegar in a pail of water
2. For greasy floors: 1/4 cup washing soda and 1 TBS vegetable oil based soap to every two gallons of hot water
3. Polish linoleum floors with club soda
4. Clean & Deodorize Carpets: Mix two parts cornmeal with one part borax. Sprinkle generously over carpet, allow to sit for one hour then vacuum

More Floor Cleaners & Tips: See this page of tips for cleaning laminate flooring and Tips For Floor Cleaners, Spots & Scuffs.

Windows & Mirrors: Store these solutions in spray bottles.

1. One part vinegar added to four parts water
2. One cup cold strong black tea with 3 TBS of vinegar

Here are More Homemade Window Cleaner Recipes To Try.

Oven Cleaner:

1. A paste of baking soda and hot water or sprinkle the soda on a damp sponge and wipe. You’ll find more homemade oven cleaners here. You’ll find tips for cleaning stainless steel appliances here.

Water Spots On Furniture (Removal Tips): Also see this handy trick.

1. Massage white toothpaste on the spot, let dry, and buff with a clean cloth.
2. Scratch or Stains: Rub the meat of a walnut into the scratch.

Lots more ideas and tips found here: 20 Ways Vinegar Can Help Your Kitchen Sparkle and 50 Household Uses For Baking Soda: {Quick Tips}.