Cost Of Living Crisis Series - Cleaning Your Home For Under $1 A Year

 Are you spending too much money on cleaning products ?  Do you have a cupboard full of assorted cleaning sprays and potions ?  Do cleaning products give you a headache ?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above then please keep reading.  Keeping your home clean doesn't need to cost a fortune.  It also doesn't need to smell of chemicals either.  Most of you know that I'm a cleaner and have been cleaning other people's homes for over 25 years.  I've used almost every product released during that time including some of the well known,  expensive eco friendly ones.   My experience tells me these cleaning products are not needed and there is a much cheaper way to keep a clean home.

Over 12 months from July 2022 to June 2023,  I thought I'd try cleaning my home only using dishwashing liquid and keep track of how much it cost.  From the windows to the floors and everything in between I used less than $1 of dishwashing liquid to clean everything.  Infact,  that $1 included cleaning my client's homes as well.

Here's a list of a few simple items I used to clean my home that I already had on hand.  You probably have these items in your cupboards too. -

*  1 x bottle of the cheapest Aldi dishwashing liquid.  Originally I paid $1 per bottle ( but used about 1/2 for my home ).  Now the dishwashing liquid costs $1.49.

*  2 x recycled spray bottles saved from when I once used cleaning products.  I never throw out a spray bottle.  I've even used bottles from hairspray ( the pump ones ),  conditioning sprays and body sprays.

*  Discarded toothbrushes.

*  Old face washers,  handtowels,  cloth nappies,  knitted dish cloths,

*  Old non scratch kitchen scourers. 

*  1 x microfibre mirror / glass cloth,  generic branded Chux cloths and 2 x microfibre cloths for general cleaning.  If used correctly,  all these cloths can last for years.

FOR THE WINDOWS -  I wipe down the windows with a wet cloth first and use a spray bottle that contains a dash of dishwashing liquid.  Then I use a clean damp cloth to wipe again and buff the window with a dry rag / towel.

FOR THE SHOWERS -  I clean our shower once or twice a week to avoid soap scum building up.  I use dishwashing liquid and water in a small squirty bottle ( Morning Fresh bottle ) at a ratio of 50 : 50.  A small squirt on a non scratch kitchen scourer ( of any sort ) gets rid of soap scum quite easily.  The old toothbrushes come in handy for grouting,  door seals / joints and the drain.

FOR MIRRORS AND TVs -  I just dampen a  glass / mirror microfibre cloth with water.   No chemicals are needed.  Infact,  chemicals leave a residue that makes glass look slightly cloudy.

FOR THE TOILETS - I spray the toilet inside and out with a spray bottle of dishwashing liquid and water.  The Chux cloths are used to wipe over all surfaces including the bowl on the inside.  They are then soaked in a bucket before being washed with other cleaning cloths.

FOR SINKS - I used a microfibre cloth either dampened with water or use the spray bottle of dishwashing liquid and water.  Toothbrushes are used for around the taps and plughole.

FOR THE KITCHEN -  I use a spray bottle of water and dishwashing liquid with a microfibre cloth on all surfaces including the sink,  cupboards,  benches and a greasy stove .  I also use old knitted dish cloths and face washers to wipe out the oven on a regular basis.

FOR THE WALLS -  I use water and a microfibre cloth.    

FOR DUSTING -  I use a damp microfibre cloth on everything.

FOR CARPET STAINS -  I use a damp microfibre cloth and a little dishwashing liquid.

FOR HARD FLOORS -  I use a small squirt of dishwashing liquid in hot water in the mop bucket.  This works better than any floor cleaning product I've ever used.  It cuts through dirt without leaving a residue.

Aldi dishwashing liquid and a squirty bottle.

Assorted cleaning cloths and a non scratch scrourer.

How do you keep your home clean on the cheap ?

Could you try cleaning your home for $1

What's Stinking Up Your Home ? Part 2

Following on from last week's post,  here are another 6 areas that can get on the nose and ways to deal with them. 

*  Linen cupboard.  Linens stored for too long end up with a stale smell.  Try adding soaps between linens,  using scented drawer liners or rotating linens often.

*  Kitchen sink.  Rotting food would be the biggest culprit of smelly drains.  Please don't wash your food down the sink.  The bi carb,  vinegar and boiling water trick sort of works but doesn't kill the bacteria.  Pour a little bit of bleach down the plug hole and let it sit there for at least 10 minutes.  Wash away with cold water.

*  Pet bedding.  Wash your pet's bed every week or have a variety of blankets or towels to line the bed with.  Washing the towels might be easier in Winter.  Also,  don't forget to wash your dog often.  I know it's common sense but I've been around many smelly dogs in people's homes and the owners usually can't smell it.

*  Kitty litter.  When we had Princess,  we always kept the kitty litter in the laundry,  out of the way.  We changed the litter once a week and scooped the mess out every day.  Sprinkling a little bi carb helped with odours and putting the litter in the sun also helped to dry it out.  It doesn't matter what kitty litter you use,  they all smell and need to be cleaned out often.

*  Vacuum cleaner.  Household smells are absorbed by the vacuum cleaner and blown out the exhaust / air outlet.  Dog smells would have to be the worst offenders.  If you can,  switch to a bagless vacuum cleaner or empty the cloth / paper bag often.  I have a $79 Kmart bagless vacuum cleaner and the suction is better than what my Dyson was.

*  Stale smelling bedrooms.  This could happen for a variety of reasons.  People spending too much time in the room with the door closed,  not enough ventilation,  consuming food,  dirty plates,  overflowing rubbish bins,  dirty linens,  piles of dirty clothes.  The list could go on.  Keeping the door wide open and a window opened a little will really help the situation.  If the air is not free flowing then mould and bacteria in the soft furnishings will build up.

How do you deal with these smells in your home ?

What's Stinking Up Your Home ? Part 1

 Have you ever walked into your home after a day out and noticed your home has a smell about it ?  It makes you wonder if visitors can smell something too.  As a cleaner of well over 20 years,  I've developed a very sensitive nose when it comes cleanliness.  Here is a list of guilty culprits and ways to eliminate the odours -

*  Rubbish bin.  If you've put raw meat scraps or fruit in your bin,  this could be the reason for the smell.  Perhaps empty your bin more often or reduce the bin size.  Start a compost bucket for fruit and veggie scraps and empty every day or so.

*  Towels.  Odours can build up for various reasons.  Not washing yourself thoroughly,  not hanging the towel up,  folding the towel over,  old towels,  towels not drying completely,  or not washing the towel often enough can contribute to the smell.  Generally it's good to wash your towel every 3 or 4 days to reduce the chance of smells.  A good airing on the clothesline can greatly help too.  So does spraying your towels with vinegar before placing in the washing machine.

*  Toilet.  Urine splashes around the toilet is the most common cause of toilet smells.  Wiping the toilet,  floor and walls on a very regular basis will help with the smell.  I spray vinegar on the floor once a week and leave it for a few minutes before wiping away.  Keeping your toilet lid closed when flushing will keep the germs in the bowl.

*  Exhaust Fan in kitchen.  Odours from frying food are in the grease trapped in the filters.  If the filters are small enough,  clean them in the dishwasher.  Otherwise,  get out your pressure washer to clean the filters outside.  Even a kettle of boiling water will help.

*  Fridge.  Spills left in the fridge,  rotten food and dairy are usually the guilty culprits.  Clean out your fridge once a week even if it's just a few shelves at a time.  Maybe you are buying too much food and don't use it quick enough.  I use kitchen detergent and water to clean my fridge but I've heard a little bit of vanilla essence on a cloth helps with odours.  So too does bi carb in a bowl.

*  Wet washing in the washing machine,  dryer or basket.  If your washing has accidently been left in the washing machine etc and it smells,  don't dry the washing as it is.  It will need to be rewashed with a bit of disinfectant to kill the germs and odours.  I had a cleaning client who insisted on leaving wet washing in her dryer for days.  Eventually she'd turn the dryer on but it never got rid of the smell.  I know because I made their beds with smelly linens.

How do you deal with these odours in your home ?

Super Cheap Foaming Hand Wash.

 If you have foaming hand wash pumps in your home then this savings tip is for you.

Foaming hand wash is a great way to clean your hands in the bathroom and kitchen.  It doesn't leave any mess on the bench and does the job well.  The branded refills are super expensive and very rich in suds.  I've found it's concentration can dry out my hands very quickly.

I've always looked out for 1/2 price shower gel to make foaming hand wash,  but lately supermarket specials have been few and far between.

So for the last couple of years I've been buying up the cheapest shower gel I can find. Usually it costs either $3 or $4 for 1 litre which is an absolute bargain.  The Balnea brand is $3 and I've seen the supermarket generic brand for $4.   As long as it suds and is a clear gel,  it will make lovely foaming wash.  

Photo taken 1 month ago in Woolworths.

LINK FOR MAKING FOAMING HAND WASH

Foaming Hand Wash Savings

Have you made your own foaming hand wash ?

Don't Flush Your Money Down The Toilet.

 Have you ever noticed how many products are available in the supermarket to keep your toilet sparkling and smelling lovely ?  There is a spray for this,  a wipe for that.  Then there are all those fragrant toilet blocks that promise a shiny white toilet bowl.

Have you stopped to think if these products really do what they claim to do ?

As a cleaner I've used just about every  product under the sun at my clients homes.  Not one single one of them makes your toilet clean.  But they make you feel good using them don't they ?  The marketing department of these companies have done their job.  You've parted with your hard earned dollars and made them rich.

The next time you go to clean your toilet,  have a look under the toilet bowl rim.  Is it clean ?  Toilet brushes usually don't reach under the rim so you are likely to find a lot of grime under there.

If you want to save big dollars and still have a clean toilet,  all you need is a pair of rubber gloves,  a washable cloth ( Chux type works great ) and a spray of some sort.  Disinfectant,  diluted kitchen detergent or vinegar in a spray bottle will all clean your toilet well.

Click on the link below to find out how I clean toilets for the best and cheapest results.

Cleaning your toilet

10 Ways To Keep Your Bathroom Cleaner

 Who doesn't like a sparkling clean bathroom ?  I've been cleaning bathrooms of all shapes and sizes for over 23 years with my cleaning job.  I've learnt quite a few tricks and tips along the way that save time and energy.  Yes it can take some effort to get a bathroom clean but these 10 simple steps will help it stay that way.

*  Provide a small bin for used toilet rolls, empty tubes of toothpaste,  tissues and used toiletries.  Having a bin will help corral the rubbish into one location.  I've seen plenty of discarded toilet rolls in bathrooms over the years and the solution is so easy.  Just make sure you empty the bin on a regular basis to help encourage family members and visitors to use it.  If you don't like washing out bins,  use freezer bags or recycled bread bags as bin liners.

*  Remove the clutter from around your sink.  There's no need to display everything you own.  Who has time to wipe dust off a heap of beauty products ?  Having a clear bench and sink makes it super easy to give it a quick wipe over to prevent dust and grime build up. 

*  Dry toothpaste can be a little hard to remove and requires some elbow grease.  Wipe spills from the bench and sink as quickly as you can before it dries.

*  Use a microfibre mirror cloth to clean your mirror like a pro.  Using a damp bath towel will leave streaks and fluff all over the surface resulting in you working harder to remove the residue.

*  Wipe down the shower with a squeegee after each use.  This will help prevent soap scum build up  and mould.  Using shower gel instead of soap helps prevent soap scum too.

*  Use kitchen detergent on all surfaces ( except the mirror ) with a microfibre cloth to cut through grease,  dust and grime.  Using cleaning products and / or disposable wipes can leave a  film that dust loves to stick to.

*  Keep your toilet lid closed when flushing.  Toilet water can spray up to 1.5 metres away from the toilet when flushing,  perhaps even reaching your toothbrush.  Not only does it contain bacteria ( including faeces ) but it also leaves marks on surrounding walls,  floors and shower screen.  If you like to use Blu Loo,  it's splashes will stain your walls.  Take it from someone who cleans these messes on a regular basis.

*  Flush the toilet after each use.  Leaving your deposits to save a bit of water will increase grime build up in the bowl.  If it's a very low flush toilet,  use the full flush every time to make sure you are left with clean water in the bowl.

*  Hang your bath towel up and spread it out.  Leaving it in a heap on the floor with increase bacteria in the fibres as well as encouraging mould to grow in the grouting.

*  Keep the exhaust fan on or open the window for about 30 minutes after each shower  Steam from the hot water contains oils,  dead skin cells and dust.

Do you have an trick to keeping your bathroom cleaner ?

Spring Cleaning Reading

 Just thought I'd pop in to say hello.   I'm posting  a few links below to articles I wrote that might be of help if you are Spring cleaning.

Dusting - 3 Ways

10 Ways To Use White Vinegar

Making Your Own Air Freshener

Kitchen Cloths For Free

Cleaning On A Budget

5 Tricks To Help Keep Your Oven Clean.

 Cleaning ovens would have to be one of the most dreaded housework jobs for most people.  No one likes the scrubbing or the fumes that comes with harsh chemicals needed to bring a crusty oven back to it's former glory.

I have two ovens that are used on a regular basis for baking bread,  biscuits and cakes as well as cooking casseroles and pasta bakes to name a few.  When my ovens were installed 6 years ago I vowed I'd keep them clean and never use harsh oven cleaners again.

Having new ovens was like I'd been given another chance to look after them.  To this day they still look new and it's because of these 5 tricks I use.

*  Wipe out your oven including the door after every couple of uses ( unless there's a big mess ).  This helps prevent grime build up which can be hard to remove or requires harsh chemicals.  Use a damp microfibre cloth to wipe your oven out.  For slightly tougher marks,  a little detergent on a scourer will do the trick.

*  Use Magic Eraser to remove the little splatter marks.  I've found this works really well when nothing else does.  Try to wipe them off on a regular basis before they are baked on hard.

*  Use the correct sized dish,  pan or tray for cooking and baking to prevent spill overs.  

*  Put a baking tray on the next shelf down from whatever you are baking / cooking to catch any spills if there is liquid involved.  I do this when baking a self saucing pudding.

*  Use a lidded roasting dish or a piece of foil over your roast when cooking.  This will help prevent the fatty splatters that seem to go everywhere.  Use a lidded casserole dish for meals that contain liquid.

I'm not suggesting the use of oven liners at the bottom of the oven.   Some manufacturers do not recommend this in their instruction booklets. 

Have you used any of these tips to help keep your oven clean ?

A Hand Wash Tip

This savings tip comes from one of my cleaning clients.  Michelle has 2 little girls and showed me how she makes her liquid hand soap last a lot longer.

Michelle added a rubber band to the pump shaft on the bottle to limit how far the handle can be pushed down.   The pump still dispenses enough soap to wash hands,  just not the amount the manufacturers want you to use.

This easy savings tip could save you more than 50%  on the cost of liquid hand soap.

How about giving this a try ?

10 Different Ways To Use Kitchen Detergent

I've been a domestic cleaner ( as a job ) for over 24 years and used just about every cleaning product available in the supermarket.  Usually they don't live up to the hype and leave me with a whopping headache from the fumes.

Quite a few years ago I ditched the cleaning sprays and products full of nasty chemicals and fumes.  I opted to use the humble detergent for about 95% of my cleaning needs for our kitchen,  bathroom,  laundry and general household cleaning with amazing results.

I've used branded kitchen detergent as well as the Aldi 1 litre 99 cent bottle ( price might have increased recently ) and had good results from both. 

Here are 10 ways I use kitchen detergent to clean -

*  Clean the toilet.  There's no need for fancy cleaners.  Use dishwashing liquid heavily diluted with water in a spray bottle.

*  Clean stains from carpet.  Add a few drops to a damp microfibre cloth or old ( but clean ) rag.  Gently work on the stain in circular motions.  Blot dry.

*  Mopping floors.  Add a small squirt of dishwashing liquid to a bucket of hot water.  This works on many hard floor surfaces.  For high gloss floors,  straight hot water might be the best option 

*  Clean kitchen benches and stove tops.  I use dishwashing liquid diluted in a spray bottle.  For benches I just spray and wipe. Stove tops should be sprayed with the diluted dishwashing liquid and left for a few minutes to soak into spills.  Wipe with a clean cloth and buff dry.

*  Remove sticky residue with a few drops of dishwashing liquid on a scourer.  If the residue persists then add a few drops of eucalyptus oil.

*  Clean the showers.  Dishwashing liquid cuts through soap scum quite easily.  Add a squirt to a scourer ( non scratch or heavy duty ) with water and clean in circular motions.

*  Clothes stain remover.  Often stains can be treated with a few drops of dishwashing liquid and a small scrub of a toothbrush.

*  Clean windows.  Add a small squirt of dishwashing liquid and vinegar to a bucket of hot water. Wash the windows with any cloth and buff dry.  Drying the windows reduces streaks left by the water.

*  Clean your jewellery.  Soak jewellery in a bowl of warm soapy water for a few minutes.  Use a toothbrush to loosen any dirt.

*  Degreasing appliances.  Grease and grime can build up on appliances,  especially in the kitchen.  Either add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to a cloth or spray the appliance with detergent diluted with water in a spray bottle.  

So save yourself some money,  breathe a little easier and give kitchen detergent a go. 

23 Cleaning Products We Don't Buy And The Cheap / Free Alternatives

 As you probably know,  I've been a domestic cleaner for over 23 years and cleaning my own home for 26 years.  I've tried just about every product available in that time with varying results.  Sure,  they might work but I'm not impressed with the fumes,  cost and environmental impact.  

If you came to visit my home you'll find it clean at all times.  I don't use anything fancy and in the list below you'll see a reoccurring product or two that I DO use.  It's super cheap too.  Infact,  it costs me 99 cents per bottle and lasts almost 2 years.  Can you guess what it is ?

Here are 23 cleaning items I DO NOT BUY -

Foaming hand wash / liquid hand soap - I use a bar of soap or make foaming hand wash from cheap shower gel / shampoo.

Kitchen sponges - I knit my own or use old face washers.

Fabric softener - I just don't need it.  Vinegar is a cheap alternative.

Dishwasher air fresheners - I clean the dishwasher once a month with bi carb and vinegar and clean the seals and filters with dishwashing liquid

Bin Liners - I use bread bags and shopping bags FREE

Window cleaner - I use a microfibre cloth ( or any cloth ) and water.  If needed,  I use vinegar

Toilet cleaner -  I use diluted dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle and a cloth ( washed afterwards )

Disinfectant wipes - I use disinfectant sprayed on an old cloth / face washer.

Shower cleaner - I use diluted dishwashing liquid and a scourer.  Mould killer is used once every few months.

Air freshener - I use cooled boiled water and lavender water / essential oils in a spray bottle

Toilet bowl fresheners / blocks - I just keep my toilets clean

Floor cleaner - I use a dash of vinegar and dishwashing liquid in hot water.

Clothes washing disinfectant - I just put a squirt of regular disinfectant into the wash if clothes are smelly.

Surface spray - I use diluted dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle.  ALMOST FREE

Stainless steel cleaner / wipes -  I use diluted dishwashing liquid in a bottle and a cloth.  Buff dry

Oven cleaner - I wipe the ovens out on a regular basis with diluted dishwashing liquid.  I also use a little bi carb and vinegar on spills and a magic eraser on the doors.

Kettle de scaler  - I use citric acid and fill the kettle up then boil. ALMOST FREE

Grout brushes - These damage the grouting over time.  I use old toothbrushes FREE

Vanilla fridge spray - I clean the fridge out with soapy water and remove yucky food.  I put lids on all containers with leftovers.

Carpet spot stain remover - I use dishwashing liquid or Miracle Spray on a microfibre cloth

Laundry powder / liquid - I make my own with laundry soap,  bi carb and washing soda

Dishwasher rinse aid. - I just pour white vinegar into the rinse aid dispenser.  It seems to work fine for me and I've been using it for years.

Washing machine cleaner -  I use Epsom salts and run the machine on a long,  hot wash.  This piece of advice was given to my Mum by a washing machine repair man over 40 years ago.  

What cleaning products do you do without ?

Another 6 Ways To Use White Vinegar.

 Vinegar is SO cheap to buy and has SO many uses.  Here are another 6 for you to try - 

*  When your washing machine starts to smell,  clean all the filters and surfaces.  Give the inside a good spray of vinegar,  let it sit for 10 minutes then wipe down again.  If in doubt about using vinegar in your washing machine please read in the instruction manual.

*  Vinegar can be used to help remove rust from tools.  Soak the tools in white vinegar for a couple of hours,  rinse off and wipe dry.

*  Keep your cut flowers fresh for longer by adding 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar to the water in the vase.  Change the water every few days.

*  Vinegar can be used to help relive itchiness from insects bites.  Dab a little on the bite with a cotton ball / tissue every few hours.

*  Fill up your dishwasher rinse aid compartment with white vinegar.  This makes a very cheap and healthy alternative to the store bought varieties.

*  Spray your smelly kitchen bins with vinegar and leave for 10 minutes.  Wash as per usual and the smell should be gone.  This is really handy for plastic bins that can absorb bad odours.

 

How do you use vinegar around your home ?

10 Ways To Use White Vinegar

 Do you have a bottle of white vinegar sitting in your pantry or laundry cupboard unused ?  Maybe you thought it was only good to sprinkle on fish and chips.  I did for many years.  Infact,  I use to buy the smallest bottle possible and poked holes in the top just for sprinkling purposes.

Now,  I've found so many uses for vinegar and buy 2 litre bottles that get used up very quickly.  The tips below I've personally used around my home with great success.

*  Spray underarms of clothes to get rid of body odour smells before washing.

*  Use as a natural fabric softener in your washing machine.  One cup or a good drizzle in the final rinse  should do the trick.

*  Keep your hard floors clean with a dash of vinegar and a few drops of dishwashing liquid in hot water.  I've been using this trick for over a decade on my own floors and in my cleaning clients homes.

*  Kill young weeds with vinegar.  Add one cup of salt to one litre of water. and drench the weed.  Be careful that the solution doesn't get sprayed on nearby plants 

*  Reduce the odour of smelly shoes by spraying vinegar inside.  Allow to dry before wearing the shoes.

*  Wash your fruit and vegetables in one part vinegar to three parts water to help remove potential bacteria..

*  Give your dishwasher a natural clean by splashing vinegar around the bottom.  Add bi carb to the tablet dispenser and run the dishwasher on a long hot cycle.

*  Clear minor drainage problems in your sinks with vinegar and bi carb.  Drop a couple of spoonful's of bi carb down the plug hole followed by one cup of vinegar.  Finish off with a kettle of boiling water.

*  For a streak free bench, make up a spray bottle of cooled,  boiled water.  Add 1/4 cup of vinegar and a small dash of dishwashing liquid.  Use either cotton cloths or microfibre cloths for a brilliant finish.

*  Rid your kitchen compost bin or general waste bins of smells by spraying with vinegar.  Leave for 5 minutes then wash as per usual.

Great for using in your washing machine

   

10 Laundry Items To Stockpile

Were you caught out when the panic buying started in March ?  Did you have enough cleaning supplies to complete your usual cleaning tasks ?  I'll admit even though I usually have lots of everything,  I didn't have enough cotton gloves on hand to feel comfortable during these crazy times.  I'm allergic to rubber gloves and use cotton gloves inside the rubber ones when I'm at a cleaning job.  It took many months for them to be available again so I made sure I bought heaps.

Even now,  I've noticed the rubber glove and sponge / cloth section of the supermarket is a little bare at times.  Maybe everyone is still buying up or maybe stocks are low at suppliers.  I'm not sure.

Here are some cheap ( or free ) multi purpose items you should stock  up on to keep your home clean and sparkling -

*  Laundry soap.  Whether you buying Sunlight or the generic bars of pure laundry soap,  they are the key ingredient for making your own laundry powder.  The boxes of soap don't take up much room either.

*  Bi carb of soda.  Buy in bulk from a pool supply shop ( known as ph buffer ), from Costco or a herb and spice shop to make great savings.  I use bi carb in homemade laundry powder,  to clean the dishwasher,  for baking and oven cleaning.  Others like to use it for all cleaning tasks.

*  Lectric soda ( washing soda ).  Found in the laundry aisle in the supermarket,  it's used in Miracle Spray and for making laundry powder. 

*  Disinfectant.  I only buy hospital grade and the pine fragrance for using in the washing machine to freshen up smelly dirty clothes.  Also great for wiping down door handles,  toilets and to disinfect a kitchen bench after handling raw meat.  I've been known to spray a little disinfectant on a piece of paper towel,  placed in a small bag and taken to the supermarket to wipe down trolley handles.  I can't guarantee the supermarket will have wipes on hand. 

*  Rags.  Any shape or form.  I save all old face washers,  hand towels,  bath mats and bath towels and store them under the laundry trough to wipe up spills.

*  White vinegar.  It's a key ingredient used to make Miracle Spray,  I use it in a spray bottle for wiping up cat messes.  Vinegar makes a great deodoriser  for underarm smells on washing,  for cleaning windows and as a fabric softener.  Of course there are more uses.  I've just named a few.

*  Rubber gloves / latex gloves.  I'm not a fan of sticking my bare hand down a toilet to clean all the groves under the water line.  Rubber gloves give a great barrier against germs and sickness. Also handy for using in food preparation.

*  Glen 20 spray.  This became as rare as hen's teeth back in March.  Since then Glen 20 claims to be effective in eliminating Corona virus germs off surfaces.  It's great for sickness smells and kitty litter smells.

*  Spray bottles.  Any shape,  any size even recycled ones from used up cleaning products.  Spray bottles are a wonderful way to save on cleaning sprays.  I decant vinegar,  disinfectant and diluted dishwashing liquid into separate spray bottles for various uses around the home.  Guaranteed,  if you need a spray bottle,  you won't have one on hand.  

*  Epsom salts.  They are great for soaking tired bodies,  for cleaning the washing machine and for making bath bombs. 

What do you stockpile in your laundry ?

Cleaning On A Budget

Having a clean home is important to me. When my home is clean and tidy, everything is right in my world. My mind is at peace and I can relax knowing that if anyone showed up unexpectedly I wouldn't be embarrassed or be shoving things in cupboards out of sight.


Having a clean home doesn't have to drain the food budget. Yes, the few cleaning products I buy are included in my small food budget. As a hired domestic cleaner of over 20 years, I've learnt that the fancy cleaning products are not necessary to keep a home clean. More than anything, they are toxic, expensive and a complete waste of space ( and money ).


Microfibre cloths are a great invention. I use the cheap version at home and work. They last for years and reduce the need for chemicals.


Miracle Spray is the best cleaning product I've come by. It's great for cleaning showers, toilets, sinks, floors, stoves, laundry stains and carpet stains. I'll be forever grateful to Joyofquilting  from The Cheapskates Club for sharing her recipe.  It's changed my life, my health and my budget. For about $1 you can make up a large 2 litre bottle.


Bleach is used every few months to keep the shower grout looking clean.


A small dash of disinfectant is used in the washing if the clothes are smelly.

Mirrors only need to be cleaned with water and a microfibre cloth for glass.  


Floors are cleaned with vinegar, detergent and boiling water. Or you can just use boiling water. 

It's worth having a think about the cleaning products you have in your home. Do they really work as well as the advertising claims ? Is it worth the money ?  Could a bar of soap do the same job as the expensive products.

How do you keep your home clean ?

Dusting - Three Ways.

Recently a blog reader asked if there was a quick or easy way to dust her large home.  Unfortunately the answer is " no " but there are ways to reduce the time you spend dusting.

There are three ways to dust your home with varying degrees of success.  Generally,  the quicker you dust your home,  the less dust you pick up.

*  Using a feather duster,  fluffy duster or electrostatic duster is the least effective way to pick up dust.  Yes,  it takes just a couple of minutes to flick the duster around even a large home.  The dusty surfaces might look a little better but you've just moved the dust from a surface to the air.  Then it will either fall to the floor or reappear on the surface again as the air gets stirred up when people move around.

*  Microfibre cloth dusters.  I picked up one recently at a Daiso store for just under $3. It comes with a plastic handle that a microfiber cloth slips over.   Recently I was in a hurry to get lots of dusting done with little time to spare.  I found it quite easy to wipe over window sills,  around tvs and over flat surfaces.  The dry duster picked up quite a bit of dust which I brushed off outside.  The cloth was then washed in the washing machine,  dried and reused.

*  Wet dusting with a microfiber cloth.  This is the method I've been using since microfibre cloths became available in the discount stores.  Wetting the cloth picks up and traps more dust and dirt than any other method I've used.  The only drawback is time.  It takes more time to rinse out the cloth over and over again to keep a clean cloth.  This is my preferred method  of dusting and is especially effective if there are hayfever,  asthma or allergy  sufferers in the house.

How do you dust your home ?

Another 5 Cleaning Products You Don't Need

Cleaning products can add so much to the grocery bill.  I'm also concerned about the chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis.  Finding another way to keep your home clean is as easy as making your own products with a few basic ingredients.  Here are another 5 products you don't need to buy.

*  Disinfectant wipes.  For starters they are quite expensive per wipe.  Secondly they are an environmental hazard.  Thirdly,   a cloth wipe and disinfectant will do a better job.  Even better,  a cloth can be thrown into the washing machine to wash and reuse over and over again.

*  Dishwasher air fresheners / cleaners.  What a waste of money.  Clean the filters often with a toothbrush and detergent.  Then clean your dishwasher once a month with Miracle Spray on the door and seals,  bi carb in the powder dispenser and white vinegar splashed around the inside.  Run it on a long hot wash to clean out the pipes.  Dishwashers smell when dirty dishes are left in there for days on end.

*  Surface cleaners.  We are led to believe that a bench is not clean unless we use this harsh combination of chemicals.  The scent can be so strong it can cause headaches and migraines ( first hand experience here ).  Instead,  use Miracle Spray,  vinegar or a little detergent on a clean cloth.  I only use disinfectant on a cloth when I've been dealing with raw meat. All the other times I use Miracle Spray.   I can honestly say my family rarely gets sick and we've never caught gastro from my over worked  kitchen bench.

*  Toilet deodoriser blocks / Blue Loo.   If you believe the adverts for these products,  they are meant to keep your toilets clean without you lifting a finger.  Amazing isn't it ???  I've cleaned thousands of toilets in my cleaning career ( giggle, giggle ) and I can honestly say they do not keep the toilet clean.  Generally the fragrance dies after 2 weeks and the toilet still needs a clean.  Blue Loo ends up splashed all over the walls and who really needs colored loo water ?

Save the toilet deodorisers for when you have a big gathering at your home and you'd like the toilet to smell nice.  Occasionally I use the Duck disks and buy up big when they are half price at $2.80 for a pack of six.  They work out to 46 cent each and last 4 + weeks.  If you want your toilet to stay clean longer,  flush the toilet after each use and definitely DON'T  leave anything in the toilet bowl overnight.

*  Carpet deodorisers.  If you just want your carpets to smell nice,  add a few drops of  essential oil to a cup of bi carb.  Sprinkle over your carpets and leave for 1/2 an hour.  Vacuum up and enjoy your fresh smelling carpets.

Here's the link to the last post I wrote about cleaning products.

Do you use basic ingredients to keep your home clean ?

Basic cleaning supplies

5 Cleaning Products You Don't Need

The cleaning aisles in the supermarket are full of brightly colored bottles designed to grab your attention.  Have you ever wondered if there was a cheaper,  safer way to keep your home clean ?  Here are five cleaning products you can do without. After all,  our parents and grandparents probably didn't use them.

*  Toilet disinfectant wipes.  A chux cloth,  rag or toilet paper sprayed with a little Miracle Spray will do the same job.  Soak it in a bucket then wash it in the machine with other cloths / towels.  Beware,  toilet wipes cannot be flushed down the toilet.  Yes,  they do clog the sewer pipes.

*  Dishwasher tablets.  For decades people used powder in their dishwashers and it worked just fine.  The tablets were invented and suddenly it's the only product to use.  I use Coles no name powder which costs about $2 per 1 kilo box.  I only need two level teaspoons to clean my dishes.  Because I use so little powder,  I can get over 60 washes for $2.  We load our dishwasher as soon as dinner is over. Boil lines on saucepans are lightly scoured,  plates are scraped and the dishwasher is turned on before the food dries on the plates.  Yes we do have tablets in our home but they are saved for special occasions when we are really short on time.  The bonus of using powder is you can put the dishwasher on a quick wash saving electricity and water.  The tablets need the longest,  hottest cycle for all of the tablet to dissolve.

*  Hard floor / tile cleaners.  Generally they leave a film on your floors so they don't look as clean as they should.  Avoid the harsh smelling chemicals and use a dash of dish washing liquid with a good squirt of white vinegar in a bucket of boiling or very hot water.  Make sure you wring out your mop as much as possible to avoid water marks.  I've used this combination on all sorts of hard floor surfaces with great success.

*  Air fresheners.  I'm sure you are not keen on spraying the fragrant chemicals in your home.  Sometimes there is a  need for an air freshener especially when you've had a smoker in your home,  visitors are coming  or sickness arrives.  Save the Glen 20 for the sickness and make your own air freshener for the other needs.  Just add a few drops of essential oil and cooled boiled water to a small spray bottle and shake.  I like to use water soluble lavender oil for my air freshener.

*  Stainless steel cleaner / wipes.  I've tried using these a few times and I'm not convinced they are the only product to use.  I've found water and a clean microfibre cloth will do the job especially if you dry the appliance off with a dry cloth or paper towel  Potato water does an amazing job too.  Have a read of this blog post I wrote earlier this year.     .

Dishwasher tablets are costly

Make your own air freshener.

DIY Carpet Deodoriser

Back in the days when my girls were little and our carpets were heavily used,  I bought the carpet deodoriser powders ( it that what they're called ? ).  I loved the way my carpet smelled after using it,  but didn't like the price tag that came with it.

It got me thinking about a way to make it myself.  I knew bi carb was great for absorbing odours and I loved the fragrance of a few essential oils I used in oil burners.  So I put two and two together and came up with my own carpet deodoriser.

1 cup of bi carb of soda .
10 - 12 drops of essential oil
small bowl,
whisk
medium / large salt shaker
cling wrap or a small plastic bag

Mix the bi carb and essential oil together in a small bowl.  Use the whisk until well blended.

Spoon the mixture into the salt shaker and cover the holes with cling wrap or a plastic bag

Let the mixture sit over night for the bi carb to absorb the oil fragrance.

Sprinkle over your carpets where needed and let it sit for at least 1/2 hour.

Vacuum up and enjoy the lovely fragrance.

NOTES -

*  I only make up what I need to use.  I don't make big batches because essential oil fragrance can change when left over time.  You'll lose the beautiful top notes and be left with a not so nice smell.

*  Bi carb can be bought in bulk from herb and spice shops, cleaning wholesalers or pool shops.  It's also known as ph Buffer from pool shops and is only safe to use in cleaning or in pools. In other words,  not for baking.

Getting Rid Of Perspiration Smells

I just love the smell of freshly washed clothes.  Unfortunately perspiration smells don't always disappear no matter how good your laundry powder / liquid is.  Here is a simple and inexpensive way to help remove these odours.

Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray on the offending smell as you are sorting out the washing to go into the machine.  Put the smelly clothes in last then wash as per usual.  Hanging the washing in the sun can also help to remove the odour.

If the odour is quite strong,  spray the garment 30 - 60 minutes before putting in the washing machine.  Some odours might need repeat treatments and washes.

I knew white vinegar worked well for cleaning but I was quite suprised at how good it was on smelly clothes.

NOTE -  No name ( generic ) vinegar does the job just fine at a fraction of the cost of branded vinegar.