6 DIY Household Cleaners

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1. Super Window and Glass Cleaner
Forget all about store-bought window cleaners. Your windows can get a professional shine for just pennies. The alcohol in this formula helps prevent streaking.

• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1 clean 32-ounce spray bottle

1. Mix all the ingredients in the spray bottle. Shake well before using.

2. Spray on dirty windowpane or other glass surface.

3. Dry with crumpled newspaper.

2. Citrus Disinfectant
If you like pricey commercial orange cleaners, you’ll love this fresh citrus-scented vinegar spray that is easy to make and costs less than a dollar. You can also deodorize a room by setting out a small bowl of citrus vinegar.

• Peel from 1 orange, grapefruit, lemon, or lime
• 3 cups white vinegar
• 1 clean quart jar with lid
• 1 clean 32-ounce spray bottle

1. Combine the citrus peel and vinegar in the quart jar. Fasten the lid on the jar and store the mixture in a cupboard for two weeks, giving it an occasional shake.

2. Remove the peel from the jar, strain the vinegar, and return it to the jar.

3. To use as a spray cleaner, pour 1 cup of citrus vinegar in the spray bottle and fill with water.

4.To clean linoleum floors, add 1 cup citrus vinegar to 2 gallons water.

3. Tough Multipurpose Cleaner
When it comes to cleaning non-wood surfaces around your home, this cleaner is tough to beat — you might even say it’s “fantastic.” And it costs only pennies.

• 1 1/2 pints water
• 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol
• 1 teaspoon clear household ammonia
• 1 teaspoon mild dishwashing liquid
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 clean 32-ounce spray bottle

1. Combine the ingredients in the spray bottle and shake well before each use.

2. Spray on countertops, kitchen appliances and fixtures, and tile or painted surfaces.

3. Wipe down with a clean cloth or damp sponge.

4. Nontoxic Bathroom Cleaner
This is a terrific deep-cleaning cleanser for any bathroom surface. It cuts through soap scum and mildew as well as any commercial bathroom product and costs just pennies.

• 1 2/3 cups baking soda
• 1/2 cup liquid soap
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 clean 16-ounce squirt bottle with closing cap

1. Mix baking soda and liquid soap in a bowl. Dilute with water and add the vinegar. Stir the mixture with a fork until any lumps have been dissolved. Pour the liquid into the bottle. Shake well before using.

2. Squirt on area to be cleaned. Scrub with a nylon-backed sponge. Rinse off with water. Keep cap on between uses.

5. Multipurpose Bathroom Disinfectant Cleaner
Here’s a good all-purpose disinfectant that is as easy to use and effective as any commercial bathroom cleaner but much less expensive.

• 2 teaspoons borax
• 1/2 teaspoon washing soda
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons white vinegar
• 3 cups very hot water
• 1 clean 24-ounce spray bottle

1. Combine the borax, washing soda, lemon juice, and vinegar in the spray bottle.

2. Slowly add the hot water, then vigorously shake the bottle until the powdered ingredients have dissolved. Shake the bottle before each use.

3. Spray on tile and ceramic surfaces and wipe with a damp, clean cloth.

6. Eucalyptus Tile Cleaner
This fresh, tangy powder will leave your kitchen and bathroom tiles as shiny and clean as any commercial cleaner and for less than half the price.

• 1/2 cup soap flakes
• 1 cup chalk or diatomaceous earth
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 teaspoon essential oil of eucalyptus
• 1 clean recycled 16-ounce jar with metal top

1. To make the soap flakes, lightly grate a bar of pure soap, such as Ivory, on a coarse kitchen grater. Then, in a small bowl, crush the soap flakes with the back of a spoon until powdered (or whirl them in a blender).

2. Mix in the chalk or diatomaceous earth and the baking soda, breaking up any lumps.

3. Sprinkle the essential oil over the surface of the powdered mixture and stir it with the spoon. Continue stirring for several minutes to disperse the oil throughout the mixture, then spoon the mixture into a screw-top jar or can with several holes punched in the lid.

4. Cover the holes with masking tape to keep the powder dry between uses. Let the mixture sit a week before using to be sure the essential oil has been thoroughly absorbed. Sprinkle surface with powder, scrub with a damp sponge, and rinse with clear water. Dry with soft towel.

Decorative Lights

1. 1
   Find a jar. One with thicker glass is the best. I was lucky to find a cork plug one at A.C.Moore for $1.99
2. 2
   I'm not sure what this stuff is actually called (clear tinsel, i guess?) You can find it at most dollar stores in the gift bag section.
3. 3
   For this project, I used the base LED light, but I plan to replace it with something smaller. The light source can be entirely your choice, but I've found colored LEDs work well.
4. 4
   First, fill your jar with the tinsel stuff so it looks like this from the side.
5. 5
   Close the jar (make sure you don't permenantly seal it, in case you need to reposition the tinsel.) and place it where ever you plan to display it, with the light source placed behind it.
6. 6
   Turn on the light and enjoy your newly captured fairy.

Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree and Snowflake How-To
1. Twist each group of three sticks together at midpoint for six-pointed stars. Twist smallest two sticks into a cross.


2. Add branches to largest star: Starting at center of each spoke, twist on two 2 1/2-inch sticks; tighten by clamping down on twist point with round-nose pliers. Follow with a 2-inch stick, then a 1 1/2-inch stick. Keep spacing even.


3. Finish other snowflakes as shown. For 5-inch snowflake, use six 21/2-inch sticks, six 2-inch sticks, and six 1 1/2-inch sticks. For 4-inch snowflake, use six 2-inch sticks and six 1 1/2-inch sticks. For 3-inch snowflake, use six 1 1/2-inch sticks. For 2-inch snowflake, use six 1-inch sticks. You now have five snowflakes and a top cross. Twist three 12-inch stems of same green chenille around an equal length of 16-gauge floral wire, working from bottom up for about 3 inches. (A wooden spool makes a good tree stand.)


4. Slip biggest snowflake onto "tree trunk"; the three sticks fit between spokes of snowflakes. Twist three trunk sticks tightly, for another inch before sliding on next snowflake. Continue in this way to top, leaving a 1-inch trunk above. Trim excess wire.


To decorate tree drape lengths of silver tinsel as a garland. Make candles (dab tips of white pipe cleaners with red pen); wrap tinsel around base of each. With hot glue, affix candles to ends of branches. To make candy canes, use permanent red marker to draw stripes spiraling around white pipe cleaners. Cut 1-inch sticks; hook ends. Slide a pretty bead onto top of tree.