Tips for a cleaner home.
All-purpose Spray Cleaner: Combine in a spray bottle: 1/2 tsp Washing Soda, 1/2 tsp Borax, 1/2 tsp vegetable oil-based soap, 2 Tbsp vinegar and 2 cups of hot water. Shake well until all the solid bits have dissolved. For extra cleaning power increase Borax to 1 tsp. Spray and wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge.
Mold: To kill mold use full-strength vinegar. To keep mold under control spray with diluted vinegar on a regular basis.
Musty Smells: Combine 1 tsp of tea tree oil and 1 cup of water in a spritzer bottle. Spray the area, but don't wipe it off. In a couple of days the smell should be gone and the tea tree oil will have dissipated. If not...repeat for a couple of more days.
Moisture Problems: Mold and mildew thrive in moist, warm areas. To keep these areas under control place out bowls of unscented kitty litter to absorb the moisture. Replace these once a week.
Mildew in books: Place some cornstarch in a sprinkle container and sprinkle the cornstarch onto the pages lightly. Let it sit for a few hours and then wipe and shake clean.
Cutting Boards: To get rid of strong odors on cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar or baking soda or lemon slices or celery. This also works on countertops. For countertops only, a few drops of essential oil of lemon thyme in a cup of water and spritzed on the surface and then wiped, works well too.
Elli A. says:
Thanks for the tips. When I use vinegar the smell does not go away. Any tricks?
Cris Bisch says:
@ Elli - To remove the odor of vinegar, sprinkle a little baking soda over the area where you used the vinegar full strength or in a solution to clean. Scrub the baking soda over the area a few times to remove the smell of vinegar. Rinse and dry.
Adam W. says:
You can also just wait for it to go away - it will eventually. I personally LOVE the smell of vinegar in my house. In my mind it has replaced the fabricated "clean" scents of my youth!
Jordana G. says:
Elli -- I don't think it's true that the smell of vinegar doesn't go away. It dissipates pretty quickly!
Elli A. says:
I will bring evidence tomorrow.