There are plenty of simple recipes for effective cleaning solutions to give your home a makeover. You just need ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry to clean the oven, fridge, countertops, and even stubborn stains on your carpet.

Removing Stains

To prepare an all-purpose cleaner for difficult stains, you will need rosemary sprigs, lemon rind, and water and vinegar (equal parts). Mix all ingredients in a jar or bottle and shake. Let it sit for about a week and then use it to remove smudges and water stains. If you spot protein stains such as stains from meat juices, eggs, or dairy products, they require extra care. Rinse or soak the stain in cold water and then use soap to remove it. Hot water changes the chemical composition of proteins and will only make things worse. Do not use vinegar or lemon to remove protein stains as they also change the composition of proteins. If you are not sure you can handle protein stains, especially old ones, you may want to contact professional cleaning services that specialise in carpet cleaning. Some information about how to deal with the stains you can find here.

Cleaning Solutions for Household Appliances

To clean the inside of your fridge, you will need one quart lukewarm water and four tablespoons baking powder. Mix the ingredients together and pour on a cloth or sponge. To make an oven cleaner, mix one tablespoon cornstarch and one cup white vinegar and heat the mix until thickened. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to cool and use a cloth to apply to the oven. Wipe clean in about 15 minutes. Another idea is to mix one teaspoon dish soap, one tablespoon cornstarch, and one cup lemon juice. Mix cornstarch and lemon juice and heat. Remove from heat when thickened and set aside to cool to room temperature. Add one teaspoon dish soap to the mix and apply to the oven. Wipe clean in 15 – 20 minutes.

You can also make a cleaning paste for the oven top as to remove stubborn stains and grease. Mix four tablespoons baking soda and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a jar. Apply to the oven stovetop and let it sit for 10 – 12 hours. You can also make an all-purpose cleaner to disinfect kitchen surfaces such as cupboards, tables, counters, countertops, and even kitchen appliances. Add equal parts of water and white vinegar and pour into a spray bottle. You may also add 2 – 3 drops of lemon, lavender or another essential oil. Just spray on kitchen surfaces and wipe clean.

Homemade Formulas for the Bathroom

The bathroom and kitchen are the places that take the most amount of work, effort, and time to clean. The main reasons are frequency of use and the fact that there are different types of surfaces that need to be cleaned, including tiles, counters, and mirrors. To clean the tub, shower, tiles, and counters, you can mix equal parts of water and vinegar and use a microfiber cloth to wipe clean all surfaces. To clean outside the toilet and the tiles and remove spots on doors, you can make an all-purpose cleaner by mixing one tablespoon liquid soap, ½ tablespoon washing soda, and one tablespoon borax.

You may also add essential oils such as orange, lavender, or lemon. Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle and add two cups lukewarm water. Shake and spray on stained surfaces. To clean the shower, you can also mix 4 teaspoons dish soap and 1 cup white vinegar, adding tea tree or eucalyptus oil (5 – 10 drops). Just pour the vinegar and dish soap into a spray bottle, add the essential oils, and mix well. Spray on the tiles and tub and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth in about 10 – 15 minutes.

Cleaning the bathroom can be a dirty job because mould and mildew thrive in premises where humidity is high. Not only this, but the bathroom can easily become a hotbed of bacteria such as Shigella, Escherichia coli, and staphylococcus aureus, especially in London where the climate is humid. If you have small children, you obviously need to maintain a high level of cleanliness and hygiene. Professional domestic cleaners can help you sanitise and disinfect your bathroom to eliminate nasty strains of bacteria.

Cleaning Solutions for Windows

You can also make a homemade window cleaner by using ingredients that you already have. This is a cost-effective and green solution to remove fingerprints and dust and leave a streak-free shine. You will need one teaspoon dishwashing liquid, one part vinegar, and one part water or rubbing alcohol. You can use newspapers, a microfiber cloth, or a squeegee for cleaning. Pour the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake to mix well. Spray the windows and use a microfiber cloth or folded sheets of newspaper to wipe clean. Another way to make a non-toxic, natural cleaner is to mix 2 cups water, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, ¼ cup rubbing alcohol, and ¼ cup white vinegar. Add all ingredients in a spray bottle and give it a good shake to mix. Check whether the starch has dissolved and if not, shake again. Spray on windows and wipe with a cloth. Finally, you can also use a juice-based window cleaner that is quick and easy to make. You will only need 1 quart warm water and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Lemon juice is acidic and can be used instead of vinegar in many recipes. To make a window cleaner, just pour warm water into a spray bottle and add lemon juice. Shake well, spray on glass surfaces, and wipe with a cloth.

As you can see, there are plenty of simple and easy-to-make solutions for all surfaces around the house. Homemade cleaners are safe and cost-effective and help improve indoor air quality. If you hardly have any time for a comprehensive clean, however, you can always contact local cleaners that use eco-friendly products to make your home shine.