DIY cleaning products

Came across this useful article from the Malaysian edition of the New Straits Times and I thought I'll type it in here for future reference.

Make your own cleaning products

1. Creamy Soft Scrubber
1/2 of 1 cup baking soda
Natural liquid soap

Slowly mix the two products until frothy. If you're using it all at once you can add some citrus juice. If you're not using it all at once, omit citrus juice and instead, use 5-10 drops of orange or lemon essential oil. Pour the mixture onto a cloth, scrub or sponge and scrub well.

Rinse well or wipe the cleaned surface with a wet cloth. You can use the cleaner on tubs, sinks, counters and more. Store the remaining mixture in a sealed container. Add a teaspoon or two of vegetable gylcerin to keep the cleaner moist.


2. Window Cleaner
1/4 or 1/2 tsp liquid detergent
3 tbsp vinegar
2 cups water
Spray bottle

Put all the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to mix well. Use as you will a commercial brand.

3. Oven Cleaner
1 cup or more baking soda
A squirt or two of liquid detergent
Water

Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven and cover the grime with baking soda until the surface is totally white. Sprinkle more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. After cleaning up the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven.

4. All-Purpose Spray Cleaner
1/2 tsp washing soda
Dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

5. Furniture Polish
1/2 tsp oil (olive oil or jojoba, a liquid wax)
1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice

Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft cloth with the solution and use to wipe wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.

6. Kettle or Coffee Pot Cleaner
Slices of lemon peel
Water

To remove mineral deposit inside your kettle, fill it with water. Add a handful of lemon peel and bring to a boil. Turn off heat and let sit for an hour. rain and rinse well. For coffee pots, add ice, salt and lemon rind to the empty pot. Swish and swirl for a minute or two, dump and rinse. 

7. Mould Killer
2 tsp tea tree oil
2 cups water

Nothing works for mould and mildew as well as this spray. Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a long way.

8. Refrigerators
Salt
Soda water

A mix of salt and soda water can be used to wipe and deodorise the inside of your refrigerator.

9. Wine Spills
Salt
Cold water

Immediately cover the spilt wine with salt which helps remove stains. Soak the tablecloth in cold water for 30 minutes before washing. Also works on clothing.

10. Clogged Drains
1 cup baking soda
1 cup hot vinegar

Pour baking soda down the drain, following by the hot vinegar. You can heat the vinegar in the microwave oven. Wait five minutes before flushing the drain with hot water. Repeat the process a few times if necessary.