Homemade cleaners have become trendy on social media, not because of their greater effectiveness, but above all because they are more environmentally friendly and, in many cases, more economical than commercial products .
Ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, lemon, bleach, and ammonia, found in most homes, are typically the most used. Each has unique properties that make them suitable for different cleaning tasks around the home. But the secret is to mix them knowingly to gain efficiency and avoid dangers, these inappropriate mixtures which can cause accidents.
Vinegar and baking soda
One of the most popular homemade cleaners is one that combines white vinegar and baking soda. This blend is renowned for its ability to remove stains, unclog drains, and clean difficult surfaces like countertops or the inside of appliances. Baking soda is mildly abrasive, allowing for physical cleaning, while vinegar, being acidic, works by breaking down dirt particles. Once mixed, an effervescent reaction occurs that helps loosen dirt and deodorize. This cleaner is particularly useful for removing residue in sinks or as a degreaser in the kitchen, although it is important to note that the mixture of vinegar and baking soda loses some of its effectiveness once the initial reaction has passed, since baking soda neutralizes the acidity. vinegar, so the ideal is to use the mixture quickly.
lemon and vinegar
Lemon contains citric acid, which makes it an excellent natural disinfectant and bleach. It is used to clean bathrooms, kitchens and eliminate odors. For example, rubbing half a lemon on a cutting board helps eliminate bacteria and bad odors. Combined with vinegar, lemon reinforces its disinfectant effects, creating an ideal solution for cleaning windows and mirrors. This mixture leaves surfaces shiny and stain-free thanks to the degreasing power of vinegar and the freshness of lemon. Additionally, this formula is ideal for removing mineral deposits that build up in faucets or showers due to hard water.
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
Baking soda is an ingredient that can be combined seamlessly with many other items. For example, it’s common to see baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide to clean delicate surfaces or to remove stains from fabrics. This combination has the advantage of being gentle enough not to damage surfaces, but powerful enough to disinfect and remove difficult stains. It can also be used to clean jewelry or whiten clothes, as long as you use it sparingly.
Perborate and vinegar
Sodium perborate is a very useful bleaching and disinfectant agent in homemade cleaners. For clothes, one or two tablespoons can be added to the washing machine with the detergent, as it releases oxygen and removes stains, especially in hot water. On surfaces such as tiles or countertops, a tablespoon of perborate dissolved in a quart of hot water creates an effective all-purpose cleaner, which disinfects and whitens. It can also be used to remove stains from upholstery and carpets, always checking its compatibility with the fabric beforehand. Mixed with white vinegar, it is even more effective for cleaning bathtubs, toilets and sinks. Although vinegar is acidic and perborate works best in alkaline environments, this combination is useful because the vinegar helps remove scale buildup while the perborate whitens and disinfects. The mixture should be applied and left to act for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
Bleach, just water
Bleach in its pure form is a very effective chlorine solution and disinfectant, especially for cleaning bathrooms and removing mold. However, it should always be used with caution. Although many people choose to dilute it in water to clean surfaces, it is important to remember that bleach should never be mixed with an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice, because the reaction produces hypochlorous acid, then very corrosive chlorine gas. toxic if inhaled.
Ammonia, only with water or alcohol
Ammonia is a powerful and effective cleaner, especially for removing grease and grime stuck to surfaces such as ovens or extractor hoods. Using it in its pure form is enough to degrease and clean glass without leaving streaks, and it can be mixed in equal parts with cleaning alcohol for best results. However, mixing ammonia with bleach also results in the release of chloramine, a chemical that is toxic by inhalation and very irritating to the respiratory system.
Homemade Cleaners: Reuse and Save
Many of these homemade cleaners are as effective or more effective than commercial products and are more environmentally friendly. Instead of buying cleaning products from the supermarket and increasing the use of plastic packaging and generating more waste, we can recycle these spray bottles to fill them with our homemade cleaners and label them with their use: bathroom, glass, kitchen, floors, etc. . Our pockets and the environment will thank us.
