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HOMEMADE
HOUSEHOLD
CLEANERS
WHEAT
COOKING
(…that really work)
By Teresa Hunsaker, USU Extension Educator
It is possible to clean, and clean well, so many
areas of our home by making our own
homemade cleaning products. This saves time,
money, space, and in some cases, the
environment.
natural carpet cleaning recipes. Use vinegar to
clean out the metallic taste in coffeepots and to
shine windows without streaking. Vinegar is
normally used in a solution with water, but it can
be used straight.
Baking Soda is sodium bicarbonate. There are
too many virtues of baking soda to list here, but
mainly it is a great deodorizer, mild abrasive,
and general gunk remover. It can neutralize
acid, scrub shiny materials without scratching,
deodorize, and extinguish grease fires. It can be
used as a deodorizer in the refrigerator, on
smelly carpets, on upholstery, and on vinyl. It
can help deodorize drains. It can clean and
polish aluminum, chrome, jewelry, plastic,
porcelain, silver, stainless steel, and tin. It also
softens fabrics and removes certain stains.
Baking soda can soften hard water and makes a
relaxing bath time soak; it can be used as an
underarm deodorant and also a toothpaste.
Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of
rings. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to
go down. Pour the undiluted vinegar around the
inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl. Mop the
flour in the bathroom with a vinegar/water
solution. For more effective dishwashing, add a
few tablespoons of vinegar along with the
dishwashing detergent when washing dishes.
The vinegar cuts the grease and leaves dishes
sparkling. Lemon juice could be substituted in
some cases, with the same precautions as for
vinegar. To remove perspiration stains in
clothing, soak in warm vinegar and water.
Borax is a naturally occurring mineral, soluble
in water. It can deodorize, inhibit the growth of
mildew and mold, boost the cleaning power of
soap or detergent, remove stains, and can be
used with attractants such as sugar to kill
cockroaches. For odor-producing mold and
bacteria in garbage cans, sprinkle 1/2 cup Borax
in the bottom of the garbage can.
Vinegar can dissolve mineral deposits, grease,
remove traces of soap, remove mildew or wax
buildup, polish some metals, and deodorize. It
contains about 5 percent acetic acid, which
makes it a mild acid. It is a natural for removing
grime and soap scum. Because of vinegar’s
acidic quality, don’t use it full strength on tile
grout and it’s not recommended for marble or
unprotected vinyl flooring. Vinegar can clean
brick or stone, and is an ingredient in some
Isopropyl Alcohol is an excellent disinfectant.
Also, good for cleaning electronics and
electronic devices, such as contact pins (like
those on ROM cartridges), magnetic tape deck
and floppy disk drive heads, the lenses of lasers
in optical disc drives (e.g. CD, DVD) and
removing thermal paste from CPUs. It is also
used to clean LCD and glass computer monitor
screens (at some risk to the anti-reflection
coating of the screen), and used by many music
shops to give second-hand or worn records
newer looking sheens. It cleans dry-erase boards
very well and other unwanted ink-related marks.
Don't buy special cleaners to get out baby
formula stains, use a little isopropyl alcohol on
the stain, then a regular detergent worked in.
Works like a charm. Use alcohol (isopropyl)/
water solution for cleaning mirrors or chrome: 1
part alcohol to 4 parts water.
Liquid Soap, not detergent, is a great cleaner,
but sometimes hard to find, so use a liquid hand
dishwashing detergent like Dawn or Joy.
vinegar around the kitchen to combat unpleasant
cooking odors; boil cinnamon and cloves in a
pan of water to scent the air; sprinkle 1/2 cup
borax in the bottom of garbage pails or diaper
pails to inhibit mold and bacteria growth that can
cause odors; rub vinegar on hands before and
after slicing onions to remove the smell; use
bowls of potpourri to give inside air a pleasant
scent.
Cornstarch, derived from corn, can be used to
clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo
carpets and rugs, and starch clothes.
Lemon Juice, which contains citric acid, is a
deodorant and can be used to clean glass and
remove stains from aluminum, clothes, and
porcelain. It is a mild lightener or bleach if used
with sunlight. The juice is a natural disinfectant
and deodorizer. Dried lemon peel can be used as
a moth repellant.
Disinfectant means anything that will reduce the
number of harmful bacteria on a surface.
Practically no surface treatment will completely
eliminate bacteria. Try regular cleaning with
soap and hot water. Or mix 1/2 cup borax into 1
gallon of hot water to disinfect and deodorize.
Isopropyl alcohol is an excellent disinfectant,
but use gloves and keep it away from children.
Mineral Oil, derived from seeds, is an
ingredient in several furniture polish and floor
wax recipes.
Drain Cleaner. Try a plunger first, though not
after using any commercial drain opener. To
open clogs, pour 1/2 cup baking soda down
drain, add 1/2 cup white vinegar, and cover the
drain. The resulting chemical reaction can break
fatty acids down into the soap and glycerin,
allowing the clog to wash down the drain. Do
not use this method after trying a commercial
drain opener—the vinegar can react with the
drain opener to create dangerous fumes.
Soap (NOT detergent) is made in several ways.
Castile soap can be used as a shampoo or as a
body soap. Olive-oil based soap is gentlest to the
skin. An all-purpose liquid soap can be made by
simply dissolving the old ends of bar soap (or
grated slivers of bar soap) in warm water.
Washing Soda or SAL Soda is a sodium
carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. It can cut
stubborn grease on grills, broiler pans, and
ovens. It can be used with soda instead of
laundry detergent, and it softens hard water.
These items are available from drug and
chemical-supply stores.
Floor cleaner and polish can be as simple as a
few drops of vinegar in the cleaning water to
remove soap traces. For vinyl or linoleum, add a
capful of baby oil to the water to preserve and
polish. For wood floors, apply a thin coat of 1:1
oil and vinegar and rub in well. For painted
wooden floors, mix 1 teaspoon washing soda
into 1 gallon hot water. For brick and stone tiles,
use 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon water and
rinse with clear water.
Cleaning Solutions
When trying new products, test in a small area
before using throughout your house. Also,
remember to store cleaning products away from
children and pets.
Metal cleaners and polishes are different for
each metal—just as in commercial cleaners.
Clean aluminum with a solution of cream of
tartar and water. Brass may be polished with a
soft cloth dipped in lemon and baking soda
Freshen air by opening windows and doors for
a short period; distribute partially filled dishes of
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solution, or vinegar and salt solution. Polish
chrome with baby oil, vinegar, or aluminum foil
shiny side out. Clean tarnished copper by boiling
the article in a pot of water with 1 tablespoon
salt and 1 cup white vinegar, or try differing
mixtures of salt, vinegar, baking soda, lemon
juice, and cream of tartar. Clean gold with
toothpaste, and pewter with a paste of salt,
vinegar, and flour. Stainless steel can be cleaned
with undiluted white vinegar.
Furniture Polish
Mix 1 cup olive oil with 1/2 cup of lemon juice.
Apply to wood furniture with a soft, clean cloth.
Allow to dry and buff with another soft, clean
cloth.
Cleaning Silver. Put foil in the bottom of a
bowl or dish. Add 2 tablespoons baking soda
and 1 teaspoon salt. Put your jewelry/silver on
top of the mixture. Add boiling water to cover,
wait about 2 minutes. You will be amazed at the
results! The foil and baking soda create a
chemical reaction that removes tarnish! Or, 3
heaping tablespoons baking soda, a piece of
aluminum foil, crumpled up, added to a pan with
boiling water and leave a few minutes. For
objects that cannot be submerged in the solution,
use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to one part
water. Rub the paste onto each item, then rinse
with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Drain Deodorizer
One of the best ways to prevent build up in pipes
is with boiling water. Once a week pour a kettle
of boiling water down each sink.
Disinfectant
Combine 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons
vinegar, and 3 cups hot water. Keep this solution
away from the little ones.
To keep the kitchen sink fresh and deodorize the
disposal, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2
cup of vinegar down the drain. Let stand for a
few minutes and then flush with boiling water.
The vinegar and baking soda will foam so be
prepared for that. Also, don’t try this if you’ve
recently used a commercial drain opener and are
uncertain if any is still present.
Glass Cleaner
Mix ¼ cup of vinegar with 1 quart of water.
Store in a spray bottle. Use old newspaper to
dry. Can also add a couple of tablespoons of
cornstarch to this mixture.
Scouring powder can be made from baking
soda or dry table salt.
Tub and tile cleaner can be as easy as rubbing
in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinsing,
or wiping with vinegar first and following with
baking soda as a scouring powder.
Bathtub and Sink Cleaner
Mix 1 2/3 cups baking soda, 1/2 cup liquid soap,
and 1/2 cup water in a cleaning bucket. Add 2
tablespoons of vinegar. Or, mix vinegar with
baking soda to form a paste and use it to clean
surfaces, much like Soft Scrub.
Bathroom Cleaner
1 tsp. Borax
1/2 tsp. liquid detergent (like Ivory Dish Soap)
1/4 cup vinegar
2 cups hot water
Combine in a spray bottle and shake. Spray on
counter surfaces, sinks, tubs, etc. and wipe clean.
Grease Buildup
Baked on food can be loosened with baking
soda. Sprinkle the dish liberally with baking
soda and set aside for 5 – 10 minutes. Wash pan
as usual.
All-Purpose Cleaner
Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/2 gallon water in
a cleaning bucket. Then add 1/2 cup vinegar.
Use immediately.
Sprinkle half a lemon with salt and use it to
scrub dishes.
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All-Purpose Household Cleaner
Liquid Soap (Dr. Bronner’s castile soap)
White distilled vinegar
Borax
Essential oil
16-oz. trigger spray bottle
Mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar with 1 teaspoon
borax. Fill rest of bottle with very hot water.
Shake well. Add ¼ cup of liquid soap. Add 10 15 drops of lemon or bergamot oil.
Floor Cleaner
Fill a bucket with hot water. Add Dr. Bronner’s
liquid soap and a drop of vinegar. This solution
works great on floors.
Carpet Deodorizer
Combine baking soda, corn starch (equal parts),
and 10 drops of lavender oil into a shaker
container (use a clean Kraft cheese container).
Sprinkle on carpet. Let it set for an hour and
then vacuum.
Dish Wash Blend
Fill a 22-oz. bottle with castile soap. Add 15
drops of lemon oil, 6 drops of lavender oil, and 6
drops of bergamot oil.
Heavy Duty Cleaner (painted surfaces only)
1 gallon hot water
1 cup ammonia
½ cup vinegar
¼ cup washing soda
Combine all ingredients; wash small area at a
time (use rubber gloves). Wipe each washed
area with a second cloth that has been dipped in
warm water and wrung out.
Natural Soft Scrub
What you will need:
½ cup baking soda
½ cup liquid soap
5 - 10 drops pure antiseptic essential oil
(lavender, tea tree, or rosemary)
Place the baking soda in a bowl. Slowly pour in
liquid soap, stirring constantly, until frostinglike. Add oil.
Wallpaper Degreaser
Apply a paste of cornstarch and water to grease
spots on wall paper; allow to dry. Brush spot;
wallpaper is clean.
Bathroom Cleaner
Combine 2 teaspoons of Borax, 4 tablespoons of
distilled white vinegar, 4 cups of very hot water,
and ¼ teaspoon of liquid soap. Add a few drops
of tea tree oil.
Other Cleaning Ideas
Peroxide 3% or lemon juice and sunlight makes
a great natural bleach. Club soda is a great
emergency spotter for spills on carpet and
clothes.
Stain Remover
Get a fresh lemon or lime and baking soda. Wet
the stain and pour on the baking soda. Squeeze
lemon juice over the stain. Let it set for a few
hours. Finish by rubbing off remainder with a
sponge.
All Purpose Cleaner
What you will need:
1/4 cup white vinegar
2 teaspoons Borax
1/4 cup liquid soap
32 ounces hot water
20 drops lavender essential oil (or other if
desired)
Furniture Polish
Fill an 8-oz. squirt bottle with ¾ cup of olive oil,
¼ cup of white vinegar, and ¾ teaspoon of
lemon oil or food-grade lemon extract. Shake
and start dusting.
Mix vinegar and Borax together. Add this and
warm (not hot) water to bottle and shake until
mixed well. Add liquid soap and lavender
essential oil. Smells great! Spray and wipe with
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a paper towel or, keep a container of
inexpensive, non-scented baby wipes in the
bathroom for "disposable" cleaning wipes used
with this miracle spray. A fraction of the cost of
other cleaning wipes. Lavender is antimicrobial,
antifungal, and antibacterial naturally.
Natural Scrub Clean Oven Solution
4 Tbsp. baking soda
4 Tbsp. hot, steamy water
Make a paste with the above listed ingredients
and apply it to the oven's cavity using an old
toothbrush or soft-bristled cleaning brush. Allow
solution to sit for 1-minute. Scrub with brush
until oven is clean. Rinse with water and sponge
until no traces of baking soda remain.
Oven Cleaner
It seems that no matter how careful we are,
something boils over in the oven, or something
gets spilled—it is amazing how fast things
buildup and burn on in the oven.
Tough Stain Remover
1 cup salt
1 cup baking soda
1 cup water
Make a paste using the ingredients above and
apply it to the inside of the oven. Close door and
heat oven to 500 degrees for 60 minutes. Turn
off oven and allow to cool. Wipe debris from
oven using a moist sponge. Rinse well.
Cleaner #1
1 tsp. liquid dish soap
1 tsp. lemon juice
1-1/2 tsp. bleach
1 qt. warm water
Mix all ingredients in cleaning bucket or bowl
and apply solution (with a sponge) to the oven's
cavity. Allow to sit for 45 minutes and then
scrub clean. Rinse well!
Just a note: Some ovens are self-cleaning.
Self-cleaning ovens work by heating themselves
to a higher than normal temperature (800-900
degrees) and thus burning to ash the grime and
build up. This leaves for minimal clean-up. Once
the cleaning cycle has finished, you simply use a
damp cloth or sponge to wipe the ash and
residue from the oven cavity. Ovens which don't
get clean enough the first time, can be put
through a second cycle of cleaning almost
immediately.
Ammonia
1 cup ammonia
Pour ammonia into plastic bowl or dish (which
can be easily disposed of). Place ammonia inside
oven, without heat, and close door. Allow to sit
overnight. Remove container and wipe away
stubborn stains. (Ammonia may be reused, if
stored properly.)
Tried and True Vinegar Recipe
6 Tbsp. baking soda
4-5 drops hand soap or liquid dish soap
5 Tbsp. white vinegar
Mix above ingredients until they form a thick
paste. Apply paste to inside of oven and scrub
with sponge. Wipe clean and rinse thoroughly.
Instructions on how to operate your self-cleaning
oven are almost always located on the inside of
the oven door or accompany the product's
registration information.
Citrus and Salt Cleanser
Use equal amounts of lemon juice and salt.
Apply paste to stubborn stains and allow to sit
for 3-5 minutes. Scrub with brush and wipe
clean.
1. Remove the racks before cleaning. The high
temperatures may discolor and warp them.
2. Make sure the door is latched completely.
Many newer ovens feature self-locking
cleaning cycles. If yours does not, be sure to
double-check the latch before throwing the
If you have a self-cleaning oven, consider these
tips:
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oven into the cleaning cycle. Not doing so
can ignite a grease fire or cause injury to the
innocent person who pulls the door open.
3. Never use commercial oven cleaner solutions
during self-cleaning mode or at any other
time. Many products are flammable and
cause serious injury and death if exposed to
high temperatures.
Tub, Tile, and Toilet
Mold in bathroom tile grout is a common
problem and can be a health concern.
Basic Tile Spray
1 cup hydrogen peroxide (3%)
2 cups water
Combine in a spray bottle and spray on areas
with mold. Wait at least one hour before rinsing
or using shower.
Steps for Those Not Using Self-Clean
Feature:
1. Fill the sink with extra-hot, soapy water and
place all oven racks and broiling racks into
the water.
2. If using a cleaning product, apply the
cleanser to the inside of the oven.
3. Wait. Allow at least 10-minutes for the
cleanser to go to work.
4. Using a damp sponge, wipe dirt, debris, and
grease away.
5. Rinse. It's important to remove the cleaning
solution completely from the oven. Rinse
thoroughly several times.
6. Turn the oven to 200 degrees. Allow it to
heat for ten minutes and then turn the oven
off. This will help "burn off" any leftover
cleanser odor so that it doesn't seep into your
food.
7. Repeat, if necessary.
Daily Shower Spray
1/3 cup rubbing alcohol
1 cup water
Mix in a spray bottle and shake. Spray on, no
rinsing required.
Tile and Grout Cleaner
1/2 cup of baking soda
1/3 cup of ammonia
1/4 cup of white vinegar
7 cups of water
Combine all the ingredients in a labeled spray
bottle and shake well to mix. Spray on then wipe
off with a damp sponge. Do not use with bleach
with this mixture!!
Additional Tips:
Wipe up immediately after spills, rather than
let them set or stay until the next use of the
oven and they burn on.
After cleaning, wipe down the oven interior
with a solution of vinegar and water to
remove any cleaner’s residue.
Heating your oven to 200 degrees then
shutting off and applying your cleaner of
choice will aid in clean up.
Tub and Toilet Cleaner
1 cup vinegar
1/2 cup baking soda
Pour the vinegar into the toilet bowl. Let sit 30
minutes. Use a toilet brush and dip it into the
toilet. Take it out and sprinkle some baking soda
onto the brush. Scour the inside of the toilet with
the brush repeating the sprinkle procedure until
the baking soda is gone…..voila! Clean toilet!
This does not take the place of a disinfectant, so
if you feel better spraying with a disinfectant
after polishing the bowl, feel free.
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Carpet Cleaners
Laundry
Magic Spray Cleaner (for surfaces other than
varnish, aluminum or asphalt tile)
1/4 cup ammonia
1/8 cup vinegar
1 Tbsp. baking soda
1 quart water
Pour into spray bottle and spot treat carpet stains
by gently rubbing with a clean rag. Rinse with
water after treatment. Allow to dry.
This stain removal recipe can be made in bulk
and stored in a plastic spray bottle.
Create a mixture of 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup liquid
detergent, 1/3 cup ammonia. Pour into a clean
plastic spray bottle. To use, spray directly on
stain, and let soak before washing in the washing
machine as normal.
Greasy Stains
Full strength Dawn®
This is the best treatment, and then wash in the
hottest water safe for the fabric.
Rug Shampoo Mix
1/4 cup mild detergent or soap
1 pint of warm water
2 Tbsp. vinegar
Whip into a stiff foam. First, vacuum the rug
thoroughly. Apply the foam and scrub. Let dry,
then vacuum again.
Grape Juice
Rub with glycerin and rinse with water.
Crayon
Add detergent and 1 to 2 cups of baking soda to
the washing machine. Wash in the hottest water
safe for fabric.
Heavy Duty Carpet Care
Mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub
paste into carpet and leave for a few hours.
Vacuum.
Mustard
Use glycerin and rinse with water.
Pet Accidents on Carpet
4 Tbsp. vinegar
2 cups hydrogen peroxide
2 Tbsp. liquid dish soap
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. baking soda
Mix in 1 quart bottle. Add water to complete the
quart—about 2 cups. Spray on spot to neutralize
(for odor control) and clean. Follow with plain
water. Towel dry.
Ingredients cost about $8, but it'll make about 20
"two gallon" recipes! It doesn't suds much, but
that's not what cleans—it's the ingredients that
do. To mix, use white, five-gallon food storage
buckets.
Making Homemade Laundry Soap
By Crystal Miller
http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoa
p.htm
The cost of making the recipe of laundry soap
was .71 cents for 2 gallons! With this 2 gallon
size recipe you will have enough to do 64 loads
of laundry. That translates to about .01 cent a
load (and then plenty of ingredients left over for
MORE two-gallon recipes). With a few
ingredients on hand, you will be able to make
Resources:
USU Extension Housing Specialist—Dr. Leona
K. Hawkes(retired)
Keep It Cheap www.keepitcheap.com
Mrs. Clean www.mrscleannw.com
NaturoDoc www.naturodoc.com
Earth Easy www.eartheasy.com
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batch after batch of laundry soap. The cost
savings by doing this is incredible!
water into the bucket. Now add your soap
mixture and stir. Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups
of water and stir. Let the soap sit for about 24
hours and it will gel. You use ½ cup per load.
Soap: The most typical type of soap to use is
Fels Naptha. It is an old-fashioned type of soap
usually found in the laundry aisle. Another brand
is called Zote. Either of these will work. I use
my own homemade soap and find it works quite
well. If you use Ivory or your own homemade
soap, you will need to use the whole bar.
**A few things to note about the soap**
The finished soap will not be a solid gel. It
will be more of a watery gel that has been
accuratel described as an "egg noodle soup"
look.
Washing Soda: This is not to be confused with
baking soda; they are not the same thing.
Washing soda is sodium carbonate or soda ash
(baking soda is sodium bicarbonate). It is a
white powder. Its purpose is to help remove dirt
and orders. The brand to look for is Arm &
Hammer Washing Soda. I find it in the laundry
section of my grocery store. Many people have a
hard time finding this locally. I know you can
purchase it on line, even through Amazon.com. I
would also suggest asking your grocery store
manager if it would be possible for the store to
order it for you.
The soap is a low-suds soap. So, if you don’t
see suds, that is okay. Suds are not what
does the cleaning, it is the ingredients in the
soap.
Optional: If you want your soap to have some
sort of scent, you can scent this with ½ to 1 oz.
of essential oil or fragrance oil of your choice.
My favorite scent is orange essential oil.
Underarm Yellowing
The build up of deodorants/antiperspirants and
body oils cause yellowing. So, before those nice
white shirts get yellow underarm stains, learn to
get in the habit of automatically spraying the
following solution on the underarms of the
garment before putting in the wash:
4 cups water
1 cup liquid laundry detergent
1 tsp meat tenderizer(meat tenderizer is an
enzyme which breaks down proteins—body
oils/sweat contain proteins.)
Mix well and place in a quart spray bottle and
store by the washing machine for handy access
when doing laundry.
Borax: Borax is a naturally occurring mineral,
sodium borate. It is a white powder. Its purpose
is as a laundry whitener and deodorizer. The
brand to look for is ―20 Mule Team.‖ It comes in
a 76 oz. box. You should be able to locate this in
the laundry detergent aisle. Again, as with the
washing soda, if you cannot find it ask you store
manager or look online.
Homemade Laundry Soap
1/3 bar Fels Naptha or other type of soap, as
listed above
½ cup washing soda
½ cup borax powder
You will also need a small bucket about 2-gallon
size.
OR
½ cup ammonia
4 cups water
¼ cup liquid laundry detergent
Mix well and store in a quart spray bottle.
Grate the soap and put it in a saucepan. Add 6
cups water and heat it until the soap melts. Add
the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is
dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot
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Treat older stains by sponging the area with a
solution of 1 tbsp. white vinegar and 1/2 cup
water. Old stains may be impossible to remove.
5. Place car wax on a soft cloth or the
applicator that comes with it.
6. Work the wax onto the aluminum really
well, being careful not to get any on the
webbing or the fabric—it will leave a terrible
spot once dried and exposed to the heat.
Wash any off fabric right away.
7. Let the wax dry and then buff it off.
Soften Your Water
The minerals in hard water can gray clothes. If
you have very hard water, add ½ cup of white
vinegar to your rinse water. OR, adding ½ cup of
lemon juice to the rinse cycle of a medium load
of whites will lightly bleach the clothing. This
technique is especially effective on clothes that
are then hung to dry on the line.
Cleaning White Plastic Furniture (Vinyl)
1 gallon warm water
3 Tsp. automatic dishwashing detergent
Sponge with scrubber on back
Bucket
1. Place 1 gallon warm water in a bucket and
add 3 teaspoons of automatic dishwasher
detergent.
2. Wash down the furniture with this solution.
3. Let the solution set on the furniture for
approximately 15 minutes. (The dishwashing
detergent has a bleaching agent in it that will
whiten the furniture.)
4. Rinse and dry.
Brighten Whites
To brighten whites, add ½ cup borax or washing
soda (both are available in the laundry section of
your supermarket) to a medium load of laundry,
along with the normal amount of detergent.
Another effective additive is a water softener
(not fabric softener) such as White King. It is a
powder and is found in most laundry sections of
the supermarket.
Note: Clean colored furniture with an allpurpose cleaner and water. Make sure you rinse
it well because sunlight and weather will hurry
the fading process along. The vinyl on strapped
furniture should be kept clean and free from
body oils and tanning lotions or sun block. Use a
towel or provide pads for use on chaise loungers
and chairs. Apply a vinyl protectant to the straps
after cleaning.
Patio Furniture
Cleaning Regular Aluminum on Patio
Furniture
Plastic scrubber or fine steel wool
Dish detergent
Place a good amount of detergent on your plastic
scrubber or steel wool and begin to scrub.
When you are finished, rinse the furniture real
well and let it dry.
Most outdoor furniture pads have machine
washable covers or the entire pad may be
washed. Follow the manufacturers’ suggestions
for fabric care.
Cleaning Baked-On Dirt from Aluminum
Dish detergent or your favorite all-purpose
cleaner
High quality car wax
1. Soak the sponge up well with dish detergent
or all-purpose cleaner.
2. Work it into the furniture until you get it nice
and clean.
3. Rinse off all the detergent or cleaner.
4. Dry it with a soft cloth.
Umbrellas require maintenance after being in
storage. Covers need washing and umbrella
frame joints need oiling. Wash covers using a
soft-bristled brush, mild soap, and cold water.
Use a spray lubricant on the joints of a wireframe umbrella. If you have a wooden-frame
umbrella, use paste wax to restore its shine.
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Mildewed Patio Umbrella: Bleach is the best
product to use to kill and clean mildew;
however, some fabrics and umbrella materials
may not be conducive to bleach—so consider
carefully. Then, open umbrella and gently lay it
on its side. Mix a solution of 1/2 cup liquid
bleach and a squirt of liquid dishwashing
detergent with 1 gallon warm water. Dab on
inside seam first to test colorfastness. Never use
bleach on acrylic prints—it will cause fading;
instead, check manufacturer's label for cleaning
instructions if you have them. Wear rubber
gloves and use a soft-bristle brush to scrub one
section at a time. Rinse fabric with a garden hose
and dry metal hardware with a cloth. Let fabric
dry before placing umbrella in stand.
Casual furniture fabrics can survive with a little
neglect. However, with care and periodic
cleaning they will thrive and retaining their good
looks far longer. Always read the fabric
hangtags that come with the new furniture.
Mildew grows in dirt, a good reason to address
stains promptly and keep furniture clean.
Rinsing is very important. If soap is left, it
becomes sticky and attracts more dirt. If bleach
is left, it may breakdown fibers and weakens
their strength. Taking cushions in when not in
use will help to extend their good looks. In the
winter, store cushions or slings out of the
elements or, at least, keep them covered. Doing
so will save a major spring clean up.
1. Acrylic Fabrics
Some brands will advertise that their
canopies are made of solution-dyed acrylic
fabrics. What this phrase means is that the
manufacturer has dyed the acrylic with a
chemical solution. Solution-dyed fabric, on
the other hand, holds up well to outdoor
wear and tear. It also resists fading from the
sun’s rays. Canopies for umbrellas and
cushions for patio furniture all benefit from
the solution-dyeing process. Use a solution
of lukewarm water and mild soap. Be sure to
rinse thoroughly. Very important: Never use
bleach or harsh detergents on an acrylic
print.
Wicker: Vacuum wicker with the soft-brush
attachment to remove dust and flaking paint,
then wipe with a damp cloth. If it still looks bad,
sand or strip the piece and repaint.
A note about cushions: Fabric and cushioning
play a big role in determining patio-furniture
quality. When cheaper cushions are left in the
rain, they tend to retain moisture and to develop
mildew problems. The interior of a cushion also
makes a big difference. Cheaper cushions filled
with shredded foam quickly get dirty and begin
to mildew. Higher-quality cushions use a
polyester fiber filling that sheds water easily and
allows fresh air to pass through so mildew can't
grow as readily.
2. Vinyl Coated Polyester Fabrics
Wash with a solution of soap or mild
detergent and water. Rinse very thoroughly.
Very important: Never use bleach or any
other harsh cleaner on printed polyester.
The exterior of a cushion is just as important, but
it can be difficult to tell the difference between
one fabric and another. More expensive fabrics
are usually solution-dyed (each thread is dyed)
so they don't fade. Another indicator is the
pattern—cheaper fabrics often show the pattern
on only one side of the cushion.
3. Olefin Fabrics
Brush off any dirt and clean with a solution
of lukewarm water and mild soap. Sponge
thoroughly with water. For stubborn stains or
mildew, mix three gallons of warm water
with one cup of household bleach and one
cup of mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly.
Fabric Care
To keep your furniture looking its best for years
to come, we recommend some minimal care.
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breakdown the mineral (alkaline) deposit, and
something mildly abrasive—something like
baking soda, cornstarch, steel wool, OR a very
mild cleanser. Products like Lime Away can
also be used. Personally, I like toothpaste and
the finest steel wool (or nylon dish scrubber)
used in combination with the following solution.
4. Acrylic/Olefin Blend Fabrics
For basic dirt, use lukewarm water and mild
detergent. For heavy stains, wash with a
solution of one gallon of water, one cup of
bleach and two capfuls of dish detergent.
Rinse thoroughly.
Wood Picnic Table
To clean up unfinished wooden furniture, scrub
surface with a mixture of 1 cup household
ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 gallon water.
Rinse well and wipe with an absorbent cloth to
remove excess moisture. Wooden outdoor
furniture that has been coated with an exteriorgrade varnish can be cleaned using soapy water.
Be sure to completely rinse the furniture with
clean water.
Cleaning Solution for Hard Water Spots
1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
Combine and place in a spray bottle. Spray your
problem windows with the solution and rub with
4 ought (0000) steel wool. Using a little of the
above mentioned abrasives would not be a
problem. There are also many other homemade
cleaning solutions recipes—find one that works
for you.
Wrought Iron
Consider washing wrought iron patio furniture
seasonally to keep it looking its best. Avoid
corrosion issues by maintaining the painted
finish of your wrought iron patio furniture. If
you see a nick in the paint, touch it up
immediately.
Now, once the window is clean, to help keep the
water spots from building up so quickly, place a
few drops of WD-40 on a rag and rub down the
clean window. OR, place a few drops of fabric
softener on a rag and rub down the clean
window. OR, place a few drops of Jet Dry (for
the dishwasher) on a rag and rub down the clean
window. Any of these will help the water to
sheet off the window. This doesn’t last forever
though, so reapply as needed.
Protect the gloss on non-textured wrought iron
patio furniture with a little car wax. If your
wrought iron patio furniture has texture to it, try
using mineral or baby oil. Wipe down any spots
left from suntan lotions or insect repellents to
avoid permanent discoloration.
Window Screens
While you are in the process of cleaning your
windows, you might as well clean the screens
while you are at it. It really is an easy task, and
screens really do get dirty. Soak the screen up
with a wet sponge and then dip the sponge in a
cleaning solution and really suds up the screens.
Then, place a rag on the ground and tap the
window screen on the rag to get the soapy dirty
water off. Rinse well and let dry before placing
back on window.
Resources:
Lowe’s Home Center
Linda Cobb, The Queen of Clean
Hints from Heloise—Good Housekeeping
www.backyard
Windows
Hard Water Spots on Windows
The main thing to keep in mind with hard water
buildup on windows it using something acid to
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too long in hot weather. The sheets will
create a mini greenhouse underneath that
could hurt or burn the plants.
Check any particularly dark spots on the
siding to determine if it's mold, mildew or
dirt. Put a drop of household bleach on the
dark spot. If it is mold it will turn white,
plain old dirt will stay black.
Get rid of any mildew using a mixture of 5
parts water to 1 part oxygen bleach. Oxygen
bleach is better than chlorine bleach, since
the oxygen won't damage plants or the soil
the way chlorine bleach can.
Screen Cleaning Solution
2 Tbsp. liquid dishwashing soap
1/4 cup ammonia
2 Tbsp. borax
1 gallon water
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is pretty maintenance free, but like
anything exposed to the elements, in the course
of a year, it will get dirty and need some
cleaning.
Vinyl siding is designed to allow water falling
from the sky (or high to low) to sheet off a
home. It is not designed to handle water that is
shot up from the ground. So to begin, always
rinse off the siding pointing the hose down
towards the ground. Never aim a hose up at
vinyl siding as it can cause large amounts of
water to seep behind the siding—causing rot,
mildew, and mold.
Working With a Hose and Bucket
Make your own cleaning solution.
Start by spraying the wall with your garden
hose and then use a long handled brush to
apply your soapy mixture to the walls - make
sure you start at the bottom and work your
way up. (Hint—you can get a great long
handled brush for cleaning your siding at
most RV dealerships.)
Work on one section of the wall at a time;
and once you've finished a section, rinse it
off (again starting at the bottom and working
your way to the top—remembering to keep
the nozzle pointing down).
The best way to clean vinyl siding is to rinse it
down with a regular garden hose equipped with
a nozzle. Set the nozzle to a medium misting
spray. Never use a forceful direct stream of
water, as it can penetrate behind the vinyl siding.
There are many homes covered with vinyl siding
that do not have waterproof membranes that
cover the frame walls. The wood sheathing and
framing lumber can get wet easily if you direct
water at the edges of vinyl siding, or seams
where two pieces of siding overlap, at inside and
outside corners and next to windows and doors.
While it is quite doable to use a power sprayer
for this job, one must be very careful not to get
water up underneath the siding. The method is
similar to the steps just given, but care must be
taken.
Getting Ready to Clean
Cover any outside light fixtures or electrical
outlets with plastic and secure the edges with
tape.
Give yourself room to work by moving all
the patio furniture, your barbecue and any
kids’ toys well away from the house.
You should also cover any shrubs or plants
around the house with plastic sheets before
you start cleaning. A quick word of warning
–never leave plastic sheets over the plants
Cleaning Solution for Vinyl Siding
1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent
2/3 cup TSP (trisodium phosphate)—available at
home centers and janitorial supply stores
1 gallon of water
Note: The TSP can be replaced with 2/3 cup
borax. Do not use TSP if you have aluminum
siding!!
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Rust
Heavy rust stains can penetrate deeply into
concrete, so they can be tough to remove
completely. I like to try getting rust out with
citric acid first. Just wet the area with water and
sprinkle some citric acid on the stains, then
scrub. Cleaners containing oxalic acid or
muriatic acid are most effective—but must be
used with caution, but depending on the rust
stain, may require these stronger options.
Cement/Concrete—Driveways,
Patios, Garage Floors
Cleaning your concrete periodically and keeping
it sealed are the key components of any good
maintenance program. How often you clean and
reseal will largely depend on the conditions the
concrete is exposed to, especially weather
extremes, sunlight intensity, and the amount of
traffic and use.
Wood Decks
Although water alone can remove dirt from
concrete, cleaning agents are often needed to
remove specific stains. Some folks recommend
spraying the stain with the recommended
cleaners and letting it sit for about 15 minutes
before power-washing the area.
At least once a year, you should give your deck
a thorough cleaning, following some version of
the steps presented below. Additionally, you
should treat your deck or reseal the wood at least
once a year.
Oil and Grease
Removal of oil from patios, drive-ways, and
other concrete pavements is the most common
concrete stain. In addition to hot water, an
alkaline degreaser will greatly increase removal
rates of oil and grease. Hot water lifts the oil
from the concrete, and the degreaser emulsifies
the oil, allowing it to be flushed from the
surface. Some contractors use at least a little
degreaser for most jobs, even to remove dirt,
which can be somewhat oily. Alkaline cleaners
are also the preferred chemical for cleaning soot
and burn marks from concrete—after fireworks,
sparklers, and fire crackers. An excellent
alkaline cleaner that most of us have in our
home is dishwasher detergent, but almost any
degreasing hand dishwashing detergent will also
work.
Preparing to Clean the Deck
Remove everything from the deck, including
furniture.
Remove potted plants from the exterior
perimeter of the deck.
Lightly cover any delicate or fragile plants in
the ground near the deck to protect them
from potential disturbance.
Gather together the tools that you will be
using including brooms, dustpans, trash
bags, long handled scrubbing brush with stiff
bristles, hose with sprayer, pressure washer,
and bucket.
Cleaning the Deck
Begin by sweeping and removing any large
debris by hand and place it in the trash bag.
Remove any debris that is trapped in
between the deck boards using a slender tool.
Place the debris in the trash bag.
Use the garden hose with a spraying
attachment to spray the surface of the deck
and rinse it clean. Use the highest or most
powerful setting on the sprayer and direct it
directly onto muddied or heavily soiled spots
Cleaning Solution on Cement
1 gallon water
½ cup borax
½ cup washing soda
1 TBS. liquid dish detergent or 2 TBS.
dishwasher detergent
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to remove as much of the dirt as possible.
Begin at one end and continue until you have
rinsed the entire deck. If you use a pressure
washer to rinse the deck, leave a few feet in
between the spray nozzle and the deck. If
you hold the nozzle too closely to the deck,
you will gouge the wood. Additionally, you
should use the sprayer fan.
Use a garden hose to spray in between the
decking boards to clean away any remaining
debris.
Prepare a solution of sudsy water using the
laundry detergent or read the instructions on
a commercial cleaner.
Apply whatever you are using for a cleaner
to the deck. Use a long handled brush with
stiff bristles or a push broom to scrub the
deck. Begin at one end of the deck and work
your way to the entire deck.
Rinse the entire deck with the garden hose to
remove the cleaning solution.
For difficult areas to clean, you will need to
take further steps. Areas that have some
algae or mildew growth will need to be
treated with a solution of one part bleach to
four parts water. Be careful not to spill the
bleach onto your clothing or any plants since
it is harmful. Use plastic or garden gloves to
protect your hands if you have delicate skin.
Pour the solution onto the area with the
growth. If the growth appears fresh, then
allow the solution to sit for only a moment or
two. If on the other hand, the growth appears
to have been there for a while, allow the
bleach solution to sit for about fifteen
minutes. Use the long handled brush with
stiff bristles or the push broom to scrub the
area. Rinse the area clean. Allow it to dry.
If a stain remains on the deck after the first
cleaning, then you will need to repeat the
process. It is best to allow the area to dry
completely before treating it again and to
scrub the area for the fifteen minutes that the
solution is on it.
Thoroughly rinse the deck with the garden
hose or pressure washer. Allow the deck to
dry completely before sealing it. This may
take as long as two or three full days.
Deck Cleaning Solution
1 gallon water
3 TBS. liquid dish detergent
2 cups bleach
1 cup rubbing alcohol
The bleach solution may lighten the color of the
deck, so you can use an oxygen bleach cleaner to
make the cleaning solution if you prefer.
Note: Never mix ammonia with bleach!
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