All Purpose Cleaners

Soap and Water

Ingredients:

• Blue Dawn Dish Soap (I never measure just give it a good squirt, maybe a tsp, maybe a couple)
• Warm Water

Directions:

Fill a spray bottle with warm water.  Add some Dawn Dish Soap.  Shake well.  This is the cleaner I reach for most often.  I use it to wash the table, counters, glass cooktop.  Basically all surfaces in the kitchen.  I used to use a soapy sponge to wipe down surfaces and then dry them with a dish towel, but it occurred to me that I could save a step by premixing Dawn and Water.  I've had someone ask if I washed the soap off after or what my thoughts were on the residue being left on surfaces.  If this bothers you, feel free to keep a spray bottle with just water in it to spray after, I personally don't feel this is necessary, mostly because I would not typically go back over an area cleaned with a sponge or even a different spray cleaner.

Glass/Window Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 2oz Rubbing Alcohol
• 2oz White Vinegar
• 1tbsp Cornstarch
• 16oz Warm Water

Directions:

Add ingredients to spray bottle and shake well.  Use to clean windows and mirrors.  I also use this as an all purpose kitchen cleaner and will also use it to wipe down the bathroom counters in between cleanings.

Vinegar and Water

Ingredients:

• 1 part White Vinegar
• 1-2 parts Warm Water

Directions:

Mix in a spray bottle.  You can use this to clean basically every surface.  It works well on mirrors, windows, counters, floors.  I started using a cup of white vinegar in a bucket of water to clean our floors, works great.  I will use this spray like you would use a wet swiffer between mopping (just spray the floor and wipe up, comes in handy during popsicle season!)

Bathroom Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 8oz White Vinegar
• 4oz Blue Dawn Dish Soap
• 4oz Lemon Juice
• 10oz Warm water
• 2tsp Baking soda

Directions:

Add Baking Soda and Vinegar to spray bottle slowly and wait until they are done foaming.  Add the rest of the ingredients and shake well.  Spray down bathroom, wipe with a wet towel or rag.  I use this on the whole bathroom other than the mirrors and inside the toilet bowl (I am still not ready to give up my Clorox Toilet wand).  I have used it on my mirrors before and it actually works well, I just prefer to use my homemade glass/window cleaner instead.

Dishwasher Detergent

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Borax
• 2 parts Washing Soda
• 1 part Kosher Salt
• 1 part Citric Acid

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and stir (I prefer to use  a whisk).  Transfer to a container, use 1tbsp per load.  I also replaced our JetDry with white vinegar.