Six Chemicals to Clean a House

[zoro]

My grand dad who was a chemist, taught me you only need six chemicals to clean any house. Bleach, Vinegar, Ammonia, Bicarbonate of Soda, Surfactant and alcohol.   (All of which you can buy at Aldi or Home Deopot as non branded gallon jugs for pennies.) You can also get the durable empty spray bottles at home depot to make various cleaners.

If I had to add another chemical to my repertoire what should it be?

[snacky]

Citrus peels.
I leave orange and lemon peels soaking in vinegar for a few days, discard the peels, and dilute the vinegar 50:50 with water and put the solution in a spray bottle. The addition of the citrus makes a noticeable difference to how well the cleaner works on grease, and it smells better. It's a free way to make my cleaning liquid more effective.

Oh, and I only use vinegar and baking soda for 99%  of my cleaning jobs. There is no bleach or ammonia or surfactant or alcohol in sight. But I like how your granddad thinks and I bet we would get along.

[RedmondStash]

Citrus peels.
I leave orange and lemon peels soaking in vinegar for a few days, discard the peels, and dilute the vinegar 50:50 with water and put the solution in a spray bottle. The addition of the citrus makes a noticeable difference to how well the cleaner works on grease, and it smells better. It's a free way to make my cleaning liquid more effective.

Oh, and I only use vinegar and baking soda for 99%  of my cleaning jobs. There is no bleach or ammonia or surfactant or alcohol in sight. But I like how your granddad thinks and I bet we would get along.

Nice tip, thanks!

[Tardis81]

3% Hydrogen peroxide!

It cleans biologicals + sanitises and can be used as antiseptic when kid's graze their knees or, diluted to 1% - as mouthwash.
I mainly clean bathroom and around the toilet with it, like pour some around the toilet seat and watch it foam&fizzle when it runs on the outside walls of the toilet and floor (great if you have small boys with bad aim in the house!)...

[BudgetSlasher]

Aluminum in the form of aluminum foil.

I use it anything stubborn on stainless steel (mostly cookware and sinks). It strong enough to abrade dirt, but softer than the steel so it won't scratch. (I also use it for rust on non-stainless items).

[zoro]

Aluminum in the form of aluminum foil.

I use it anything stubborn on stainless steel (mostly cookware and sinks). It strong enough to abrade dirt, but softer than the steel so it won't scratch. (I also use it for rust on non-stainless items).

Thats a good one! Thx

[BudgetSlasher]

Aluminum in the form of aluminum foil.

I use it anything stubborn on stainless steel (mostly cookware and sinks). It strong enough to abrade dirt, but softer than the steel so it won't scratch. (I also use it for rust on non-stainless items).

Thats a good one! Thx

Just be careful on appliances, some stainless steel appliances will show wear from this, they seem to have textures and finishes that can be stripped.

[Alternatepriorities]

If I had to add another chemical to my repertoire what should it be?

Dihydrogen monoxide! Definitely my favorite cleaner. It does require a bit more work, but it's nearly free and even more effective when it's hot. Just don't try to breath the stuff.

Seriously, water and a little scrubbing covers about 90% of my cleaning. I'll also use some dish soap if it's greasy, the remaining is either Windex or bleach.

I use water and ash to clean the glass door on my wood stove. The ash works wonders.

[RedmondStash]

Okay -- so what do you folks use to clean tubs, showers, and toilets?

I've tried making DIY cleansers from online formulas with stuff like washing soda, vinegar, essential oils, etc. I think they're okay, but they're a hassle to make.

Sounds like some of you folks have even simpler cleansers. I'm all ears. :)

[Alternatepriorities]

Okay -- so what do you folks use to clean tubs, showers, and toilets?

I've tried making DIY cleansers from online formulas with stuff like washing soda, vinegar, essential oils, etc. I think they're okay, but they're a hassle to make.

Sounds like some of you folks have even simpler cleansers. I'm all ears. :)

You've just listed the places I use Windex and bleach :)

I use Windex on on the mirror and then us the slightly dirty paper towels from that and another squirt to wipe down the counters, the sink, and then the toilet (outside the bowel). Then I use bleach on the bowl of the toilet and if necessary to remove stains inside the bathtub. If the outer surfaces of the tub need to be wiped down I just do them between the sink and the toilet.

The only other places I use more that water and soap is for window (Windex) and to remove coffee build up from the inside of a travel mug. I use a small amount of straight bleach, close the lid tightly and shake vigorously for a minute. The bleach can be reused on additional mugs until it stops dissolving the coffee stains.

[economista]

I used to use baking soda + vinegar paste to clean almost everything and then I bought a steamer that has all of the cleaner attachments. I can't believe how wonderful it works, and it is just hot water! One of the "hardest" areas for me to get clean because of caked-on + grease has always been the stove top (gas range) and the steamer cleans it so well and I don't even need to use soap for the grease. It's amazing what hot water + high pressure can accomplish. 

[Sanitary Stache]

I'll need a link to that steamer!

I was just thinking about this because we bought CLR to clean out a shower head.

We now have Sodium Hypochlorite (my personal favorite), Hydrogen Peroxide (DW's favorite), CLR, vinegar, home made soap (lard, lye), windex, then we have some mineral spirits for oil paints.  We also get a draino type product periodically.  It seems like a lot of chemicals.

How does one buy or make surfactants by themselves?

[economista]

I'll need a link to that steamer!

I was just thinking about this because we bought CLR to clean out a shower head.

We now have Sodium Hypochlorite (my personal favorite), Hydrogen Peroxide (DW's favorite), CLR, vinegar, home made soap (lard, lye), windex, then we have some mineral spirits for oil paints.  We also get a draino type product periodically.  It seems like a lot of chemicals.

How does one buy or make surfactants by themselves?

This is the one we got and it is amazing! You know you are an adult when you get really excited about a new cleaning tool :D https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073X4THX6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Peachtea]

Okay -- so what do you folks use to clean tubs, showers, and toilets?

I've tried making DIY cleansers from online formulas with stuff like washing soda, vinegar, essential oils, etc. I think they're okay, but they're a hassle to make.

Sounds like some of you folks have even simpler cleansers. I'm all ears. :)

I use generic blue dish soap (detergent) and a sponge to clean the tub/shower and sink. Dish detergent easily removes soap scum and mildew. I used to make a mix with hot vinegar and dish soap that was great, but it was a pain and it ruined my spray bottles. Sometimes, if I’m in the mood, I’ll either sponge on a vinegar/water (50/50 ish) mix or make it in a spray bottle as a mildew deterrent. But mostly I just clean with detergent when things look dirty.

My husband cleans the toilet with normal toilet bowl cleaner. I suspect there’s a simple replacement there as well, but since I’m the tub person and he’s the toilet person, I haven’t looked into it much. Now I’m kind of curious of what others use for the toilet.

[HipGnosis]

Has anyone had experience with Dr. Bronner's, Sal Suds, Liquid Cleaner concentrate?
1 quart will make 64 quarts of 'all purpose cleaning spray'.  It can be used at higher rate for tougher jobs.
A quart is $14 at Vitamin Shoppe.

[Abe]

Water. I think you're set then. What soap (surfactant) do you use? I'd like to make a cheap natural cleaner but ammonia, vinegar, bleach all smell terrible and honestly things just don't get dirty enough those strong cleaner.

[MissPeach]

Okay -- so what do you folks use to clean tubs, showers, and toilets?

I've tried making DIY cleansers from online formulas with stuff like washing soda, vinegar, essential oils, etc. I think they're okay, but they're a hassle to make.

Sounds like some of you folks have even simpler cleansers. I'm all ears. :)

I use something called Bon Ami. I found it one day on EWG where it was rated as one of their few non-toxic cleaners with an A rating in toxicity. It works great on anything you need as an abrasive cleaner and a tube/container usually runs about $1 at places like Walmart or Target. I've tried things like baking soda but it never did as good of a job and isn't that far off in price so I just buy the commercial product here.

[MissPeach]

Has anyone had experience with Dr. Bronner's, Sal Suds, Liquid Cleaner concentrate?
1 quart will make 64 quarts of 'all purpose cleaning spray'.  It can be used at higher rate for tougher jobs.
A quart is $14 at Vitamin Shoppe.

I used to go back and forth between this and Ms. Meyer's concentrate. Dr. Bronners is probably less toxic but I prefer the Ms. Meyers. Just wish the Ms. Meyers one had no or less scent.

It works fine and is a great all purpose cleaner. My main issue with it is that I was living in an urban area at the time and it seemed to really attract the dust/pollution. I would consider going back to it but haven't in awhile.

[HipGnosis]

Has anyone had experience with Dr. Bronner's, Sal Suds, Liquid Cleaner concentrate?
1 quart will make 64 quarts of 'all purpose cleaning spray'.  It can be used at higher rate for tougher jobs.
A quart is $14 at Vitamin Shoppe.

I used to go back and forth between this and Ms. Meyer's concentrate. Dr. Bronners is probably less toxic but I prefer the Ms. Meyers. Just wish the Ms. Meyers one had no or less scent.

It works fine and is a great all purpose cleaner. My main issue with it is that I was living in an urban area at the time and it seemed to really attract the dust/pollution. I would consider going back to it but haven't in awhile.

Thanks for the feedback.  I'll check out Ms Meyers concentrate.

[HipGnosis]

I used to go back and forth between this and Ms. Meyer's concentrate. Dr. Bronners is probably less toxic but I prefer the Ms. Meyers. Just wish the Ms. Meyers one had no or less scent.

It works fine and is a great all purpose cleaner. My main issue with it is that I was living in an urban area at the time and it seemed to really attract the dust/pollution. I would consider going back to it but haven't in awhile.

FYI; I've googled Ms. Meyers concentrate.  It comes in:  honeysuckle, basil, lavender, lemon verbena, germanium and rosemary.

[rosarugosa]

I actually like products with pleasant fragrances, but I find some of Mrs. Meyer's stuff to be downright repugnant.  I bought some liquid hand soaps earlier this year that I ended up giving away because the fragrance was so unpleasant.  I think they were lavender and lemon verbena.

[Dicey]

PTF so I can find this thread later.

[LaineyAZ]

I'm curious to know if anyone here has hard water?   In my experience that's a whole 'nother issue because many cleaning products can't tackle that level of mineral deposit that gets on kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

Like another poster, I like Bon Ami.  But the best method is prevention:  e.g. have to squeegee the glass shower doors religiously or you'll have soap scum like you wouldn't believe. 

[MissPeach]

I actually like products with pleasant fragrances, but I find some of Mrs. Meyer's stuff to be downright repugnant.  I bought some liquid hand soaps earlier this year that I ended up giving away because the fragrance was so unpleasant.  I think they were lavender and lemon verbena.

We use honeysuckle which is the only one we all can stand but it's harder to find. I am sensitive to fragrances usually but the Ms. Myers ones don't make me sick or give me a rash. They are just strong. I wish they made an unscented or a free and clear option.

I'm OK with the lavender and lemon scents but not everyone in my house likes them. They are easier to find at most stores.