-- Baby Boomers -- Family - -- Green -- Home and Auto -- -- In Critical Condition -- Lifestyle -- -- Just Starting Out -- Money -- |
|
|
share your thoughts about frugal living at TDS Community Subscribe to Our Money Saving Newsletter Also In This Week's Issue Holiday revelers likely to rein in spending this year How would GM bankruptcy affect you? How did home values fare in your area? |
Looking for an alternative to the expensive cleansers found in stores, I began experimenting with my own inventions. Enlisting the helpful knowledge of my husband, a microbiology/chemistry student, I came up with the following homemade cleansers... Window/Glass Cleaner: Simply mix equal amounts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle. (Make sure no bleach has been in the bottle.) You'll be amazed at how well it works. If needed, a little extra vinegar can be added. Oh, try wiping the mirror with newspaper for a completely streak-free shine. (The Air Force's basic training taught me that one. It works great!) Bleach Uses: Cutting cleaning costs is easy with bleach. The off brand kind sells for well under a dollar where we live. I have found it especially useful for replacing expensive bathroom cleaning products. Below, you'll find two cleaning uses for this inexpensive alternative. Mold/Mildew Remover: Put bleach into a spray bottle and spray directly on shower curtain or other mildewed surface. In a few minutes, the mold/mildew will be gone with no scrubbing! We use this on our shower curtain, and it works great. One caution, however, straight bleach is strong. Before using, be sure to test a small area. You may want to dilute the bleach with a little water. It still works well. Toilet Bowl Cleanser: Pour one cup of bleach into bowl and scrub with toilet bowl brush. Let the bleach sit for 10 minutes. Flush. That's it! Pretty simple, huh? And much cheaper than the alternatives. If you choose, you can get the new scented bleaches to add that nice "clean" smell to your bathroom. Bathroom/Kitchen Cleanser: As far as general cleaning, it is not necessary to pay high prices to get a great clean. I have switched to the "Comet" and "Ajax" cleansers. They work better than those other ones, and you can get a long lasting container for about $0.75. (Be sure to read directions about delicate surfaces, though.) Dawn is a stay-at-home mom of three children, ages 5, 3, and 8 months. She believes the sacrifices needed to stay home pale in comparison to the benefits received by the children (and Mom and Dad.) 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 10 Great Holiday Decorating Ideas!
Concrete Patios and Walkways
Estimating the Cost of Remodeling
How did home values fare in your area?
Broken Cabinet Hinges
Our Sponsor
Check Your Credit Now |
Copyright 1996 - 2008 "The Dollar Stretcher, Inc.". All rights reserved unless specifically noted.
Write to the Dollar Stretcher at:
Dollar Stretcher
PO Box 14160
Bradenton
FL 34280-4160
941-761-7805 voice
941-761-8301 fax
"The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation.
