Natural (or reduced chemical) based cleansers have totally caught my eye recently. I've been questioning the use of nasty chemicals in our house because it was zipped up tightly all winter long to save on heating costs and I know that the air doesn't move around a lot in our home unless the windows are wide open.
I have been using a bleach cleanser in the bathroom because 1)bathrooms are gross and 2) I can never seem to get rid of the 'bathroom smell' but the bleach does the best job at it. With that said, I always have my eyes peeled for a good natural cleaner than is inexpensive, easy to make/buy, and (most importantly) does a great job getting my home clean.
I came across a vinegar and water cleaning solution on Pinterest - I think - and I filed it away in my brain to do 'someday'. However, when I was cleaning my kitchen the other day I decided to give it a try. I didn't have a 'recipe' to follow so I made it up as I went.
I put about 1.5 cups of water in a 2-cup liquid measuring cup and added about 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar. Then, I tossed it into the grimy microwave and heated it up for 3 minutes. I wasn't sure if 3 minutes would be enough, but I figured I'd try and add more time if I needed - which I didn't.
You'd think that after heating up a vinegar mixture your kitchen would smell like a pickling factory but it really didn't have much of a smell at all. I was able to get right in and scrub!
I used the vinegar/water to wipe down the inside of the microwave and most of the junk came right off. I had to scrub a bit harder on the ceiling of the microwave but it wasn't anything back-breaking.
It took me maybe 10 minutes, start to finish and my microwave looks better now than it has in years!
Seriously, if it can make my microwave sparkle, it can clean anything. Seriously... just look at these before and after pictures. They're gross. In fact, it's kind of embarrassing how nasty we let our microwave get!
Try it in your own microwave and let me know how it works!
Know of any other good (read: actually works) natural cleaning 'recipes'? I'm looking for effective but inexpensive and always love to see what other people come up with!
Linking up to Natasha in Oz, My 1929 Charmer, Singing Three Little Birds, A Little Knick Knack, You're Talking Too Much, A Pinch of Joy & Tater Tots & Jello!
My husband has been telling me to do this forever and your before and after just may get me to do it! I feel like with him the answer is vinegar before the question is even asked! Thanks for sharing and I am a new follower!!
ReplyDeleteHope you have had a great weekend!
Michelle
www.delicateconstruction.com
I'm glad I could inspire you, Michelle! Try it out and let me know how it works for you :)
ReplyDeleteSo your husband likes to clean with vinegar? Care to share a few effective cleaners? I'm always looking to add more natural recipes to my stash!
Great cleaning tip! The microwave can get so messy. I bought one of those plastic covers from Ikea to use when we microwave leftovers. It really helps to control splatters. I like cleaning the floors with vinegar too. I agree with you though that bleach is best for the bathrooms. LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this post at my Say G'day linky party! I really needed to read this. I always clean with vinegar but hadn't even thought of cleaning the microwave with it! I'm going to give this post a +1 on Google+ right now!
ReplyDeleteThis week's linky is now live and I am very excited to invite you to a Social media linky party that I will be hosting on July 14. The details are all at the blog if you would like to join in.
Best wishes for a wonderful weekend,
Natasha in Oz
My microwave is looking pretty close to what yours looked like before the vinegar and water. I'll give it a try. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday's Best!
ReplyDeleteWe use vinegar. It's good stuff. You'll want to spray vinegar in all the places where mold grows most easily.
ReplyDeleteflood damage boston