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These days, you can find a DIY tutorial for just about anything. And while some are just for fun, others are designed to make your life easier and your home healthier. And those are the ones we get excited about.
So if you’re looking for ways to save money, time, and decrease the use of chemicals in your home, here are 7 household cleaning solutions you can make yourself today.
Window Cleaner – Never buy the blue stuff again. Just pour ¼ cup white vinegar, ¼ cup rubbing alcohol, and 2 cups of water into a clean spray bottle, give it a good shake, and you’re ready to go.
Drain Cleaner – Use of commercial drain cleaners can damage your pipes over time. Next time you have a clogged sink drain, loosen it up by pouring one cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by ½ cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain with a plate to prevent the foam from spilling over. Let it sit for 30 minutes then flush with hot water.
All-Purpose Cleaner – Pour ½ cup white vinegar into a clean spray bottle and add a couple tablespoons of baking soda. Fill the rest with water and shake thoroughly. You can even add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Use on counters, floors, and other solid (non-porous) surfaces.
Bug Repellant – Spring is just around the corner and for many homeowners, that means ants. Keep them at bay by spraying window sills, baseboards, and wherever you see ants entering your home with a DIY solution. Pour ½ cup of witch hazel into a small spray bottle, add about 30 drops of peppermint oil, and give it a good shake.
Air Freshener – No need to fill the air with artificial fragrances and chemicals. Just pour ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol and 1 ½ cups of water into a spray bottle. Add 30 drops of your favorite essential oil and shake. Use it to get rid of stale odors and make your space smell clean and fresh.
Wood Polish – Make your wood surfaces shine naturally by mixing equal parts olive oil and vinegar in a bottle or jar. Add your favorite essential oil (citrus works great) and give it a shake before each use. Dab some on a rag anytime you need to polish wood furnishings.
Looking for an inexpensive solution or two to combat the dry indoor air that your heating system produces? Then here you go:
Add house plants to your interior surroundings and water them as appropriate for each variety. The air will absorb the condensing water and take some of that dryness away.
If you have baseboard heating units or floor vents, put a pan or bowl of water near one or more of them. As the heat passes over the water, it will slowly cause it to evaporate.
Try taking a shower without using the exhaust fan and then leave the bathroom door open to let the steam penetrate the space outside the bathroom.
Or, if you want a more permanent and all-encompassing solution, contact GBT Heating & Cooling today and ask about our whole-house humidifiers. They work in conjunction with your furnace to provide just the right amount of humidity to help offset the dry air otherwise generated by the furnace. It’s a fast, effective, and affordable solution.