Homemade Kitchen Cleaners
with
Cathy Wong
With these recipes and tips to mix safe, non-toxic, homemade kitchen cleaners, you can stop worrying about how your store-bought supplies are harming your home and the environment.
Transcript: Homemade Kitchen Cleaners
Hi, I'm Cathy Wong, your guide to Alternative Medicine at About.com.Homemade Kitchen Cleaners
I'm going to show you how to make your own kitchen cleaning products using a few, inexpensive ingredients you can get at the grocery and health food stores.Homemade Refrigerator Cleaner
Turn off the refrigerator and unplug it before cleaning. Remove all the shelves and drawers.Add 1 tablespoon of liquid soap to 2 cups of warm water and wash all the inside surfaces. Rinse them with clear water and then dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Wash the drawers and shelves in the sink with the soap and warm water, and then wipe dry. Don't forget the outside handles of the fridge.
Homemade Stainless Steel Cleaner
If you have a stainless steel fridge, pour plain club soda into a spray bottle. Spritz it on the fridge doors and wipe dry.Homemade Oven Cleaner
If you don't have an oven cleaner, it'll take a bit of elbow grease to remove the build up. Remove the racks and soak them in the sink or the tub in dish soap and warm water. Use a soft brush or nylon sponge to remove the built-up.Mix:
- 1 Half a cup of salt
- 1 and a Half a cup of baking soda
- 1 Half a cup of water
Salt can corrode metal, so try not to get it on any metal parts. Now you can go to sleep. In the morning, combine 1 fourth cup water with 1 fourth cup vinegar spray the oven walls and floor with this mixture. Wipe it well, using a nylon or plastic sponge for stubborn spots. You'll need to rinse off the baking soda completely or you'll see a white residue when it dries. A solution of 1 part vinegar to 1 part water can be used to dissolve the residue.
Remember to remove the aluminum foil plugs out of the bottom of the oven. If you don't already use one, consider getting an oven liner or a sheet of aluminum foil to catch spills in the future.
Homemade Microwave Cleaner
The microwave can trap grease and cooking odors.Mix:
- 1 Fourth a cup of vinegar
- 2 Cups water
The steam will soften and food spills and the vinegar will cut through the grease and help get rid of any odors.
Open the microwave door and carefully remove the bowl. Wipe down the walls with a clean, wet sponge. Dry it with a clean dishcloth.
Homemade Sink Cleaner
The kitchen sink is one of the most germ-filled areas in the kitchen. Hot water alone often won't do.An effective sanitizer is a weak bleach/water solution. Put on some gloves to protect your hands-you don't want any bleach to come in contact with your body.
Work in a well ventilated area because the fumes should not be inhaled.
Mix:
- 1 Fourth a teaspoon of bleach with…
- 4 Cups of cold water
Spritz it in the sink and soak dishcloths in the solution. Leave it for 5 to 10 minutes and then rinse out thoroughly. If you don't already, a soap holder like this one can keep sponges and dishcloths off the kitchen counter and the bottom of the sink.
Safety Tips for Homemade Kitchen Cleaners
Never mix homemade cleaners with commercial cleaners, because when mixed, they can produce toxic gases. Use the same safety precautions as you would with store bought cleaners- keep them out of reach of children and pets, and out of your eyes and mouth. Always work in a well-ventilated area.Store your cleaning ingredients in store bought containers-don't use empty cleaner containers or use food containers and utensils. And finally, label containers carefully and list all ingredients on the bottle.
Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at Altmedicine.About.com.