March 14, 2011: Vodka as a Cleaning Agent

When it comes to household cleaning chores, vodka works much the same as rubbing alcohol and vinegar while really imparting a sparkly shine. Of course, if you’re going to use vodka for cleaning, buy the cheapest stuff you can find. It would be shame to use tasty Grey Goose for this purpose!

Uses for Vodka:

* Bathtub Cleaner: Spray full strength onto the caulking around your tub/shower. Let it sit for 15 minutes or so then scrub with an old toothbrush to remove any lingering black spots. No need to rinse!

* Jewelry Cleaner: Clean your jewelry with full-strength vodka. If you have one of those containers with a basket and brush, fill it with vodka when it’s empty. Drop your gold and precious stone (except for soft stones such as opals) jewelry into the vodka and let it sit for a couple minutes. Scrub the crevices with a toothbrush or the tiny brush that comes with commercial cleaning solution. Wipe with a soft cloth for an amazing sparkle.


* Eyeglass cleaner: Spray with full strength vodka (or rubbing alcohol) and rub dry with a soft cloth. Once again, if you’ve got a container –those little spray bottles – from a commercial cleaner you purchased, fill it with vodka after it runs out. You can also add a couple drops tea tree oil if you want.

* Washing delicate clothing: I haven’t tried this one so use at your own risk. If you have a piece of expensive clothing with fancy beaded or other type of decorations that require dry cleaning only, freshen them up between cleanings with vodka. Turn inside out and lightly spray a bit of vodka on the underarm and neck areas. This removes odors and yellowing.

And hey, you might just want to partake of a bit of your “cleaning agent” while you’re doing your chores around the house!

March 12, 2011: The Many Uses of Borax

As I shared with you at the beginning of this month, borax (sodium tetraborate) is another staple to keep in your pantry for cleaning uses all over the house since it works really well as a detergent.

Most of us are familiar with the Twenty Mule Team brand of borax. I think about it every time I go visit my in-laws in California because we pass right by the mining operation in the state’s infamous Death Valley.

It’s interesting to note how the company got its name. The mine, a rich source of minerals, was first operational in the 1880s. The problem, however, was how to get the borax out of the valley and to the freight train that would distribute it around the country. The solution? Twenty teams of mules hitched to heavy-duty wagons which weighed over 18 tons each when loaded. These mule teams had to traverse 165 miles, starting at an elevation of 190 feet below sea level and ending at an elevation of 2,000 feet above sea level. Although it’s more romantic to think that horses were the biggest boon to taming the West, it’s actually mules that did the heavy lifting, making them much more valuable than a horse.

It’s strange to think that a mineral ore could be such a good cleanser, but it really is. I’ve already shared with you that it is a key ingredient in homemade laundry detergent, but it’s much more diverse than that. Plus, borax is safe for septic systems. It’s a natural ingredient, but it is toxic when taken internally; avoid contact with your eyes and wash your hands after using it.

Here are some additional uses for borax:

• Toilet cleaner – just sprinkle in the bowl of your toilet as you would powdered cleanser. For tough stains, swish it around and let it sit for an hour or overnight.
• Garbage disposals and sink drains – Sprinkle a couple tablespoons into the drain and let stand for a minimum of 15 minutes. Flush with warm water (turn the disposal on). It not only cleans, it freshens your drains.
• Even if you don’t use my recipe for homemade laundry soap, do add about a ½ cup of borax to your regular laundry detergent to make it work better.
• Carpet cleaner – use ½ cup of borax dissolved in about a cup and a half of warm water. Apply the mixture to carpet stains with a sponge or rag. Let it sit for half an hour then rinse with plain water. Vacuum after drying.
• Dishwasher – borax removes mineral stains. If you do not wish to use the following recipe for dishwashing powder, add a ¼ cup of borax to the bottom of your dishwasher to soften the water and reduce spots and film on your dishes.

Borax Dishwashing Powder

1 cup baking soda
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. To use, add one tablespoon to each compartment of your dishwasher.

Tip: I have to be honest with you... While this recipe does a great job of cleaning your dishes, I found that over time it left a chalky white film on my dishes. I tried experimenting with the amounts of ingredients and adding vinegar to the rinse agent receptacle but nothing really solved this problem. I would only recommend using this formula once in a while (and that’s the reason I don’t use my dishwasher but once in a blue moon).

March 10, 2011: The Many Uses of Vinegar

Plain, white vinegar is a wonderful cleaning product. It can do so many things around the house – it truly is a versatile product to always keep on hand. I buy it in the big gallon container and suggest you do, too. You might be surprised at how often you start using it once you know all the things it can do!

There are basically four ways vinegar is your household cleaning helper: as a deodorizer, as a mild bleach, as a remover of water mineral deposits, and as a dye setter.

Vinegar Deodorizer:
• Pour some into a small dish and place it next to the stove to absorb cooking odors.
• Dip your fingers into a bit of vinegar after chopping onion or garlic to remove the smell.

Vinegar Bleach:
• Mix with baking soda to form a paste and use to remove rust and water stains from sinks, countertops, etc.
• Line your damp bathtub with paper towels; pour vinegar over them. Let sit for an hour, then wipe away.
• Add a drop to your pet’s water bowl in the summer to keep it from forming algae.
• Spray full-strength on cutting boards used to slice raw meat.
• Add a bowl of vinegar to an empty washing machine or dishwasher during the wash cycle to clean the interior.

Vinegar Water Deposit Remover
• Run equal parts water and vinegar through your coffeemaker, tea pot, or water dispenser (once weekly is recommended).
• Pour full strength into a baggie. Place the full baggie over a shower head and secure it on the stem with rubber bands. Let sit overnight.
• Boil baby bottles in a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water.
• Pour into your steam iron’s water opening. Turn the iron to the steam cycle and let it sit upright for a few minutes, until the vents are unclogged.

Vinegar Dye Set:
• Presoak new, brightly colored clothing in a solution of vinegar, water, and a bit of salt to set the color and prevent bleeding.

Vinegar is also great for using in homemade glass cleaners and all purpose cleaning wipes. I’ll share those recipes with you later this month.