Common Household Items You Can Use for Cleaning

Good cleaning on the cheap can be difficult. Even if you were to spend a little too much on a nice cleaning agent – it may not even work effectively! Here are some of the best, cheapest cleaning materials that you can find around most homes.

Vinegar

What you may know as vinegar is actually a highly effective acid – acetic acid, to be specific. Thus, it works particularly well for breaking down gunk. That includes layers of old soap that have built up on the rim of your tub and become soap scum. It also includes grime left behind by constant moisture. It can even break down certain molds and bacteria. However, it is not actually an ideal disinfectant. You’re probably going to want to use white vinegar for cleaning since other kinds of vinegar (like apple cider vinegar) have compounds added to them for cooking purposes.

Baking Soda

Baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate) is actually just a salt with a pH that is more on the basic side. The abrasive nature makes it ideal for scrubbing. It also is particularly good at absorbing smells – rather than simply covering them up. Many people leave boxes of baking soda in their cupboards or refrigerators for that reason. It releases carbon dioxide (especially when combined with an acid like vinegar), which is why it makes for a safe and effective way to smother a grease fire. It can even be used as a safer in-home alternative for pest control around food. Brushing your teeth with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can naturally whiten your teeth.

Hydrogen Peroxide

While there are other compounds (like bleach) that often can be found in homes, hydrogen peroxide is one of the only common options that is also non-toxic. It kills bacteria. It also works very well against mold and mildew. It is perfectly safe for people and animals. It can be used to disinfect cleaning implements (like sponges and rags) after use. Check out one of the internet’s DIY lifestyle blogs if you want to find out more about the uses for hydrogen peroxide.

You should use store bought cleaning products in conjunction with home remedies if you want to keep your home as clean as possible. Bleach and specialized soap for the task at hand are very important. Make sure to disinfect your cleaning tools after using them, and you’ll be well on your way to a happy and healthy home.

Check out this article on what you should be doing regularly for your teeth!