Sometimes you find scuffs on your floor, stains on the upholstery and mildew that you may not know how to clean. Avoid using chemical cleaning supplies. Instead, use homemade cleaners that are healthier for you and the environment. Quite often, you can get the same results with products that are not hazardous.
Cleaning Problem Areas
Scuff Marks
You can clean scuff marks off the floor by using common household items rather than buying specialty cleaners. For small scuffmarks, use a pencil eraser. Rub the eraser into the scuffmark until it is no longer visible. Be sure to sweep up the shavings. Larger scuffmarks can be cleaned by using a rubber tennis shoe sole. With your hand in the shoe, rub the spot with the heel. You can also rub your heel on the mark with your foot in the shoe. Finally, you can remove a very large scuffmark by cutting an “X” in a tennis ball. Place the tennis ball on the end of a broom and then rub the mark with the ball. It will quickly disappear.
Upholstery Stains
There is a yellow stain on the arm of your couch. How do you get the stain out without ruining the fabric? Quite likely, the stain is the skin and oils of the family. Create homemade upholstery cleaner using 1/4 cup of natural dishwashing liquid and 1 cup of warm water. Place the two ingredients in a bowl and then mix with an electric mixer until it becomes thick. Using a soft-bristle brush, scrub the stain. Remove any excess cleaner and discard it. Rinse the spot with a clean cloth dipped in water. Allow the area to dry completely. This same mixture will clean other stains on your upholstery, as well.
Clean Away Mildew
Mildew can be dangerous whether you have an allergy to it or not. When left unchecked, mildew becomes mold and mold needs to be removed from your home for everyone in your family’s health. Here is how you can clean mildew naturally.
Combine 1/4 cup white vinegar with 1/2 cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Add 1 tablespoon baking soda and wait until the mixture stops bubbling. Add 10 drops of tea tree oil and shake. Spray the mixture on the mildew and allow it to sit for at least five minutes. Rinse the area with warm water and allow it to dry thoroughly. You can make a paste of this same mixture and use it for stubborn mildew stains. Place this on the stain for 10-15 minutes and then remove it with a scouring brush or sponge.
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