-- Baby Boomers -- Family -
-- Green -- Home and Auto --
-- In Critical Condition -- Lifestyle --
-- Just Starting Out -- Money --
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Easier, Cleaner Showers |
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-- Baby Boomers -- Family - -- Green -- Home and Auto -- -- In Critical Condition -- Lifestyle -- -- Just Starting Out -- Money -- |
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Homemade Solution Wanted I want to save money by making my own shower cleaner. Tilex is a popular brand, but a little pricey for daily use. I think it's mostly alcohol. Does anybody have a "homemade" solution? Rubber Squeegee Does the Trick Here in the Pacific Northwest, mold and mildew are constant companions. We have found that the best shower cleaner isn't even a liquid, its a simple rubber squeegee. After every shower, we wipe down the walls with it, (and no, the kids are not exempt!) When mold does eventually begin to build up, a simple solution of bleach and water sprayed on it after wiping down the walls first, is usually all it takes. About once every six months or so I give it a good scrubbing with basin, tub and tile cleaner. Wiping the walls down really doesn't take all that long and its a great way to sneak in a little stretching, besides! Natural Cleaner Recipe I use the following: (from a natural cleaners website) Fill your spray bottle almost full with HOT water, then add:
Shake well before using. If you put the other ingredients in before the water it will foam up a lot when you add the water. Mary C.
After the last person takes their morning shower, he/she runs a squeegee down the shower walls and doors, then dries it with a synthetic chamois cloth. I can't remember the last time I needed to clean the walls and doors because of this method.
Use liquid soap instead of bar soap or even bubble bath in a liquid soap dispenser. You will practically never have to use a cleaner on your shower again. Simple Green Does It All For about the price of any of the other spray bottle cleaners, you can buy a bottle of Simple Green. But Simple Green is a concentrate that can be diluted in varying strengths for different household needs. I mix up several bottles of different strengths and leave them in the kitchen and both bathrooms. Since it is so inexpensive and versatile, I'm considering making it my main "all purpose" cleaner. Also, since it has no harsh chemicals, I won't mind letting my 9 year old use it, as I am trying to encourage him to learn to clean his bathroom weekly. I have lately began spritzing my shower with a mild solution of Simple Green, letting it sit awhile, and rinsing later. It helps a lot. Oldie, But Goodie Try vinegar and water, this is an oldie but goodie . Dawn and Vinegar a Team I too had a problem with overpriced shower cleaners - but right there under my very nose (for years) was the "wonder-cleaner"..... Dawn dishwashing liquid. I have a plastic tub and have always struggled with getting soap scum off. Dawn works better than any harsh (on your lungs and skin) cleaners - better than bleach. It leaves a wonderful shine and virtually no scrubbing. If you want a wonderful deodorizer to use with your Dawn, throw in about as much white vinegar as you can handle (in my opinion, you can never have too much vinegar). I clean the sink, counter, tub, toilet, stove, dishes, just about everything with my Dawn and vinegar mixture. It's wonderful!!! I've only used Dawn, so I don't know if other dishwashing liquids work well or not. One, Two, Three Punch for the Shower The best and cheapest shower cleaner I know of is Mineral Oil. Just dab a little on a rag and bye-bye soap scum build up. It simply wipes away. The second best cheap shower cleaner is Baking Soda. Sprinkle a little on a sponge and scour away tough stains and mineral buildup. The third best cheap shower cleaner is bleach. After all the "gunk" is removed with Mineral Oil and Baking Soda, I spray a little bleach to remove mold and mildew. Ta-da....a clean shower, cheaply. Do you have a time or money saving idea that wasn't included in this article? Please send it to tips @stretcher.com. We get the best ideas from our readers! Other Articles to Stretch Your Day and Your Dollar Give Yourself the Green Light Shout® Color Catchers™ Cleaning Grout Winterize for Savings Home Remodeling
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