How to save on household chemicals
The pantry shelves are filled with all kinds of household chemicals, but in vain. Many funds are just a marketing ploy, but in fact they simply duplicate each other. Alternatively, you can make them yourself.
On the one hand, industrial household chemicals are comfortable to use because of their convenient packaging, pleasant smell and long storage time. But on the other hand, because of the artificial composition, it can cause allergies, skin irritation and other health troubles, and such bottles also cost a lot, the family budget costs a pretty penny. Therefore, we offer ideas on how to save on cleaning and make it as safe as possible.
Just think: within a year, about half a liter of detergents gets into the human body – in the form of a thin film that cannot be completely removed from the dishes. In addition, if small children are growing up in the family, they can accidentally taste the bright liquid with a fruity aroma. And, of course, many housewives are thinking about how to avoid harmful effects on health and make foam for dishwashing from natural products. What are the options?
1. Mustard. It degreases the surface well and can be easily washed off with water. Suitable for gentle washing of enamel and Teflon dishes. The price in the store is about 30 rubles per 170 grams, and if you buy mustard powder and dilute it with water, it will be even cheaper. Detergent – from 60 rubles. Saving twice.
2. Salt. It is a coarse abrasive that mechanically removes food debris. If there is burnt food on the frying pan or saucepan, then you can boil the saline solution in them and let it stand, then it will be easier to wash the dishes. Not suitable for easily scratched surfaces. But it is inexpensive – a kilogram of table salt costs a little more than 10 rubles. Baking soda and vinegar have similar properties. They can be mixed into one solution to enhance the action.
Residents of houses encounter limescale, the water in which contains many mineral impurities, especially calcium. At room temperature, water evaporates and calcium carbonate forms a white precipitate. Those who studied chemistry well at school remember how to get rid of it – with acid: citric, acetic. You just need to add acid to very hot water and let it stand (the proportions are approximately the following: for 200 grams of water, 30 grams of citric acid). Then rinse with running water. This method is good because it is harmless, and in addition to bathrooms, scale can also be found in teapots, on dishes that we use every day. You can first pour the acid into the kettle, and when the sediment dissolves, pour the solution over the surface and bloom (taps, sinks, toilet bowl, bathroom tiles, etc.), then wipe the surface with a wet rag. A bag of citric acid (30 g) costs 20 rubles, and a descaler – from 70 rubles.
We clean surfaces from fat
Everyone knows how inconvenient it is to clean the microwave and oven from frozen fat. And the cleanliness products are very caustic and can cause burns on the body if used without rubber gloves. It is much more pleasant to wash the stoves with lemon: you need to pour hot water into a bowl, put the lemon there and put it inside the stove. The evaporating liquid will soften the surface and grease can be easily removed with a cloth. There is also a reliable way – to wipe dirty places with ammonia, leave for a while, and then remove with a rag. A bottle of anti-fat costs 120 rubles, a lemon – 15 rubles. The savings are substantial.
Why breathe chemical vapors if there are several safe for easy ways: for example, essential oils (from 40 rubles for a bottle of oil instead of 90 for a bottle of air freshener). A few drops of oil can be dripped onto a decorative piece of the interior, or you can pour a fragrance into a small container. A pleasant smell will slowly and unobtrusively spread throughout the apartment. By the way, there are many benefits from the essential oils of lavender, orange, pine needles – they act as a natural antidepressant, soothe, give a feeling of relaxation and good mood. They also scare away insects – flies, moths and mosquitoes. This is such versatility.
For this problem, highly concentrated alkaline products are used, which leave burns on the skin, and vapors can cause allergies. Pour the solution with gloves and very carefully. And if there are small children in the house, then it is better not to buy such funds at all, but to make a solution that removes the blockage ourselves. To do this, fill the pipe with a handful of coarse salt and fill it with a little hot water. Or combine vinegar with salt, pour and leave for a while. In this case, you cannot use the sink for two hours. The greasy deposits on the pipes will go away. Home remedies will cost the family budget 5 times less: 100 rubles per liter in the store versus 20 rubles for 200 grams of vinegar and a handful of salt.
Aerosols and sprays for mirrors and glasses are very convenient to use. But they include surfactants, isopropyl alcohol and ammonia. These substances can cause an allergic reaction. And the smell of ammonia sleep is harmful to the lungs. In the meantime, you can make your own organic remedy from starch, water and vinegar. It is necessary to dilute two glasses of water with 2 teaspoons of starch and add 50 grams of vinegar. Or pour a composition of water, three tablespoons of vinegar into a spray bottle, you can add alcohol and a drop of detergent. Replace vinegar with lemon. By the way, this folk remedy will help to clean not only glass, but also tiles, floors, furniture and almost any surface. But then wipe it with a clean dry cloth. The savings are significant when you consider that there is vinegar and starch in every home, and a window cleaner – from 70 rubles.
The ad shows how quickly the carpet takes on a fresh look and vibrant color after using detergent. But the bottle costs from 150 rubles. If you want to save money and make cleaning as safe as possible, sprinkle used wet tea leaves on the carpet, then vacuum the surface. The effect will be the same. Alternatively, stains on the flooring are wiped off with cornstarch.