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Being hygiene conscious can come at a cost especially with the many cleaning products in the market today. There are however some easy to do hacks which you can create at home and have the same, if not better results, than using store-bought products.
Try these for something cheap but surprisingly effective.
1. Lemon oil degreases the oven
Lemon essential oil is a great degreaser and can be an excellent tool to remove stubborn grease stains naturally. Spray a mixture of one cup water, one cup vinegar and lemon essential oil onto your cooker and wipe clean. For tougher stains, sprinkle baking soda first, then spray and wipe. You can use the same technique to clean your oven — which will help prevent kitchen fires often caused by grease.
2. Remove carpet stains with vodka
Rubbing alcohol, clear vodka and even white wine can be useful to keep your carpet sparkling. First, blot the stain then pour any type of clear alcohol (rubbing alcohol, vodka, white wine) onto the stain. Leave it for an hour and wipe clean.
3. Baking soda and vinegar cleans for the bathtub and bathroom sink
Tired of your white tub looking tanned? Mix one cup vinegar, half a cup of baking soda with hot water and pour into an empty tub and allow it to sit for six minutes. Begin by filling the tub with hot water until it is approximately one-quarter filled, and let it sit for an additional five minutes. Then release the drain and rinse thoroughly. Your tub is ready for you to soak in.
4. Use essential oils for a sparkling toilet
There are so many toilet cleaners in the market it can be difficult to know which ones to trust. For a DIY toilet cleaner, mix one cup of baking soda with 15 drops of tea tree essential oil and 15 drops of lemon or orange essential oil. Let the mixture sit in the bowl for 40 minutes and scrub with a bowl brush before flushing. Your toilet will be well bleached and have good fragrance.
5. A damp sponge for the microwave
A simple way to clean your microwave is by putting a clean, dampened sponge or cloth on the tray and setting it on high for two minutes. The steam from the heated sponge will loosen the dirt in your microwave making it easy to wipe off.
6. Steam the microwave with lemon oil
For this hack, add 15 drops of lemon essential oil into one and a half cup of water to a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on high for five to 10 minutes, allowing the steam to condense on the inside walls/ceilings of your machine. Once complete, simply wipe away the softened food with a sponge. Your microwave will smell great and have no odour. Other essential oils will do the trick too.
7. Simple aromatherapy cleaning solution for shining sinks and tubs
Get your sink or tub to shine by mixing baking soda, drops of lemon and basil essential oils and dish soap. Sponge the mixture on the surface of your bathtub and bathroom sink for 10 minutes. After rising off with water, the tubs and sinks will be sparkling.
8. Glass cleaner
To make your own glass cleaner that saves you money, mix white vinegar, distilled water, drops of an essential oil and shake. This is an affordable and easy way to clean your windows, mirrors or even shower door.
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