It’s time to turn your thoughts to the annual scrub-down of your home, otherwise known as spring cleaning. Here’s a room-by-room rundown of family-friendly DIY formulas to help you get the job done:
IN THE KITCHEN:
If your cozy cabinets are looking a little too “lived in,” perk ’em up with this deodorizing Cupboard Cleanup Formula:
Mix 1 cup of ammonia, 1 cup of white vinegar, ⅓ cup of baking soda, and 1 gallon of water in a bucket, then use a sturdy sponge to wash your cupboards—inside and out. Rinse your sponge with clear water between swipes, so the stuff in your bucket stays potent.
IN THE BATHROOM:
You don’t need a different cleaner for every surface in your bathroom—all you need is this Easy All-Surface Cleaning Elixir:
Combine 2 cups of rubbing alcohol, 1 tablespoon of ammonia, 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid, and 2 quarts of water in a handheld sprayer bottle, and go to town.
FAMILY ROOM AND BEDROOMS:
It’s easy to forget that baseboards need to be spruced up along with everything else. Vacuum them with a hose attachment, then wipe them down with this Baseboard Bonanza:
Measure a tablespoon of cornstarch into a handheld sprayer bottle, then carefully add 2 cups of boiling water and stir until the cornstarch has dissolved. Add ⅓ cup of white vinegar and stir. Now take aim and fire the spray on baseboards, wiping them clean with a soft cloth or damp sponge.
FLOORS:
Perk up your carpet’s high-traffic zones with a batch of this Can-Do Carpet Shampoo (you may never buy a bottle of the brand-name stuff again):
Mix ½ cup of powdered laundry detergent, 1 teaspoon of ammonia, and 4 cups of warm water in a bucket, stirring vigorously until you get a thick froth. Dampen a large sponge with the froth only, and rub the entire carpet lightly. You’ll have to stir the solution frequently to keep the froth from settling. When the carpet has been cleaned, let it dry, then vacuum accordingly.
