Chemistry 101

In this entry, we will be covering what we will be cleaning with and why. As a side note, the spray nozzle on your spray bottles should be different colors. This will help you recognize just what cleaning fluid you’re reaching for by site, eliminating any chance of an accident, and using the wrong product for the job. Also, don’t buy or use (if you can) the type of spray nozzles that have the spring in the trigger mechanism because they will corrode. Instead, use the all plastic trigger mechanism.

Spray Bottle #1 – All Purpose Cleaner: The retail products are the likes of Fantastik, 409, Mr. Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner, Simple Green, and Fabuloso. I’ve used them all and they all have their pluses and minuses, but with these cleaners you have to take into account the damage they can do to you, your children, and your pets. For me, they literally ate the skin off my hands. I use something that’s much easier, cheaper, safer, and I haven’t had any problems with my hands since.  The solution: ¼ teaspoon of blue Dawn dish washing liquid added to 16 oz of water (distilled water works the best.) In my opinion, this has turned out to be the best of all purpose cleaners because you can use it everywhere – countertops of all materials (including granite), wood, cabinets, and those real tough toothpaste splashed mirrors. Just spray and wipe!

Spray Bottle #2 – Glass Cleaner:  There are products like Windex and others that supposedly clean your glass and mirrors. The problem is they include perfumes to mask the scent and this in turn leaves that smear of fog on your mirror (and you wonder why you can’t get them clean, duh!) So let’s keep it simple – Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and one or two drops of Dawn.  Use this to clean anything including glass, windows, mirrors, and chrome fixtures, as well as granite counter tops, where it leaves a very nice shine, with no dullness. On a side note, that’s why we use Dawn instead of something like vinegar because any acid is a granite counter tops worst enemy. On the other hand, if you don’t have granite you can use white vinegar (1/4 tsp) with alcohol. Your glass will shine and sparkle like diamonds.

Spray Bottle #3 – Bleach Cleaner: We can go in numerous directions using bleach and water or the retail product cleaner and bleach. But you really must be very careful as to what you mix with bleach because the chemical reaction can turn out to be a very bad mistake. I have found that a mixture of 1/3 cup of Tide detergent and 2/3 cup of bleach (use Clorox scented) mixed with 1 gallon of water (these mix very well together) works very effectively to kill mold in the bathroom and as a general cleaner for the tub, shower, and toilet bowl.  For those of you who want to clean “green” you can use hydrogen peroxide, but it just may take a little longer – spray it on, let it sit for 30 minutes, come back to the area, scrub, and rinse.

Spray Bottle #4 – Acid Cleaner: The retail products we know are: The Works, CLR, and Scrub Free. All of these have the same purpose, to clean through soap scum and hard water deposit. They are very toxic and will eat a hole through your skin if you allow it to stay on your hands without washing it off or if you don’t wear gloves. All of these products have sulfamic acid which can cause skin and eye irritation, so if you have existing respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, etc – DO NOT USE!  For my spray bottle, I use straight white vinegar and ¼ teaspoon of Dawn (blue) and you will have a very effective disinfectant and soap scum cleaner, which can be used for sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets.  I’m a firm believer in the power of white vinegar.

Spray bottle #5 – Basic Furniture Polish and Cleaner: The retail products are endless from your top end oil products for wood to your everyday Liquid Gold and Pledge.  There are some products I know that work very well such as Parker and Bailey’s Furniture Cream which is good for finished woods and the Swiffer Dust and Shine to use for a duster. The Swiffer is a good product that contains almond oil, but a word of caution – it is an aerosol, so those of you that suffer from allergies and COPD should not use it. What do I use? ¼ cup of white vinegar and ¾ cup of canola oil. You can also use ¼ cup of lemon juice along with ½ cup to ¾ cup of canola oil. These make excellent wood furniture cleaners. Spray the solution onto a soft cloth and wipe lightly.

Now that we have gone through our spray bottles, you will also need a good powder cleanser.  Baking soda is great! It is safe, non-toxic, doesn’t scratch, and it works well with a little elbow grease. I also use Bar Keepers Friend and find that it works far better than the rest of the retail products. As a mild abrasive with no pressure and little scrubbing, this product cleans stainless steel sinks, fiberglass, porcelain, tile, brass, copper, and glass cook tops. Just follow the directions on the container and you are good to go!

Ok, we have gotten through the basics, so let’s start having some fun. The time we spend will have a big pay-off – hours that will add up to days of you NOT cleaning the house.

Until next time, today, and everyday, put comfort in your life…Ciao!