If you’re distressed over cleaning your windows, don’t worry! We’ve got the secret to getting them shining bright and clean! The secret mixture to getting your windows super clean contains ingredients that almost everyone has in their home. Let’s get started!

Secret Window Cleaning Mixture Ingredients and Supplies:

– 1 16 oz. spray bottle

– measuring cup

– sieve

– whisk

– juice of 1/2 a lemon

– 1 tbsp cornstarch

– 1/2 cup white vinegar

– 1/2 cup water

– newspaper

Step #1:

Juice the lemon and strain the juice using the sieve into a measuring cup. The lemon juice not only helps cut through grease and grime, it will also give our mixture a fresh smell.

Step #2:

Add in the vinegar and cornstarch. Whisk the ingredients together.

Step #3:

Pour the mixture into the spray bottle and add in the water. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients.

Step #4:

Grab your newspaper and crumple it. Spray the window thoroughly with your mixture and wipe it down with the newspaper. Don’t worry if you notice a chalky film! Add a little elbow grease and you’ll soon see a sparkling window emerge! Store what’s left of your window cleaning mixture in the fridge for future use.

Photos: Gardenista.

With kids, pets, and weekend get-togethers, stains and dirt can be inevitable. We all know what it’s like trying to scrub out that stubborn coffee stain that never seems to fade. These tips and tricks will help you battle (and win!) the toughest stains on your carpet, and keep it clean, too!

First, the stains need to go! Here’s how:

1. Take 2 empty spray bottles and fill one with cold water. In the other bottle, add 1/4 tsp dishwashing liquid and 1 cup of warm water. Shake well.

2. Spray the detergent mix onto a cloth and dab the stain (don’t rub!). As the stain begins to dissolve, begin to blot with a clean section of the cloth. Keep doing this until the stain is gone.

3. Take a clean cloth and spray it with the cold water. Use it to rinse the detergent from the carpet, and blot it with a dry cloth.

4. Stack up paper towels on the spot and place a heavy pot on top. Leave this overnight. The paper towels will soak up any residual stain that’s deep inside the carpet. In the morning, remove the pot and paper towels and fluff up the carpet with your fingers. Allow it to air-dry completely.

Now that we’ve got the stains out, here are a few tips on how to keep dirt at bay:

De-Grit Doormats

Your interior doormats only stop dirt from being tracked inside the house if they’re clean. Toss your mats into the washer and dryer on a gentle cycle and tumble-dry them on low. If they are non-washable, use a vacuum. Vacuum first the front, then the back to loosen any embedded dirt. Vacuum the front of the mat again to get all the grit that came out. To give the mat a quick refresh, take it outside and shake it well. Using a stick or your hand, beat the mat to loosen any dirt.

Clean High-Traffic Areas

In between heavy-duty cleanings, use a powdered or foam carpet cleaner on areas that get a lot of traffic. Apply the cleaner according to package directions and vacuum.

Take Off Your Shoes

Keep dirt outside by implementing a no-shoes rule in your home. Keep extra slippers near the door, and encourage visitors or family members to use them. Keep a broom handy in the entryway closet to collect dirt before it gets stuck into your doormats. Put mats outside your door as well so you can wipe your feet before heading inside.

Photos: Angies List, This Old House, House Ideas. 

Making your own non-toxic cooking spray is easier than you think! Store-bought cooking sprays are full of harmful chemicals, and tossing all those cans in the garbage can’t be good for the environment. Learn how to make your own at home with only a few basic items.

What you will need:

– a spray bottle

– olive oil (or any other kind of oil, except coconut because of its low melting point)

– distilled water (you can use boiled or filtered, the important thing is that it’s sterilized to prevent bacteria growth)

The first thing you need to to is sterilize your spray bottle to kill any bacteria that might be in it. Put 1 part olive oil to 5 parts water in the spray bottle. You might need to test it out a few times to adjust the spray to your liking. Shake the spray bottle well and use! Remember to only make small batches at a time, since this spray will be good for 1 week. Make sure you store it in the fridge and don’t use it on a hot pan!

Photos: Sweet and Savory Food.

When you’re busy cleaning, a cleaning tote is your best friend. All the supplies you need are right by your side, and you can carry it around with you wherever you go. A plastic bucket or tray can hold your tools and cleaning solutions and help you clean it right and quickly. But, what to put inside? Here are the top tools that you’ll need:

1. Cleaning apron – An apron will protect your clothing, and it has pockets to hold spare garbage bags, and other small items. Choose one that is machine-washable.

2. Rubber gloves – It’s important to protect your hands from harsh chemicals, as they can dry out your skin. Get yourself a good-quality pair that will last you a while.

3. Cleaning cloths – Use cleaning cloths to wipe things dry, polish mirrors, and remove fingermarks.

4. Scrubbing sponge – This sponge has a abrasive side and an absorbent side. Use the abrasive side to scrub stubborn grime, and use the absorbent side to pick up liquids.

5. Toothbrush – A toothbrush is great for tiny spaces. Use a firm-bristle toothbrush around sink fixtures, rims, and other tight corners.

6. Spray bottle – Adjustable spray bottles make it easy and quick to apply cleaner to windows, mirrors, and other surfaces. Label your bottles so you know which ones to use.

7. Tile brush – A tile brush cleans tiles, ceramic fixtures, and bathtub surrounds. The bristles reach into corners to tackle tough jobs, and the handle keeps your hands away from the cleaning solution.

8. Squeegee – This is for windows, mirrors, and glass. A rubber-bladed squeegee removes cleaning solution and dirt in one swipe. Remember to wipe the blade with a cloth between strokes.

9. Squirt bottle – Cleaners work best when they’re applied evenly. Use a funnel to put your cleaner into the bottle.

10. Scraper – A metal or plastic scraper works well in removing dried-up gunk. Keep it in your apron pocket to keep it at hand.

Photos: Great Useful Stuff, Gallery Hip, ASJ Cleaning, Woman’s Day.

More and more people are turning to all-natural cleaning products to clean their home. They are non-toxic, lack any harmful chemical smells, and only cost pennies to make!  If you or anyone in your family suffer from allergies, bronchitis, or asthma, reducing harmful chemicals in your home can help.  Here are six recipes you can make from items found in almost any household:

1. All-Purpose Cleaner

Add 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda into 1/2 a gallon of water and mix well. You can use this for windows, mirrors, and water deposit stains.

2. Air Freshener

Add 1/2 cup of vodka, 1/2 cup of water, and 8 drops of lavender essential oil to a spray bottle and shake well. Spray 3-4 times in areas that need freshening.

3. Stain Remover

Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray directly on stain. Leave it for a few minutes, then clean it with warm soapy water.

4. Bathroom Mold Killer

Add one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) to 2 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray on mold and wait at least an hour before rinsing.

5. Disinfectant

Mix 2 tsp borax, 4 tbsp vinegar, and 3 cups of hot water. Wipe on with damp cloth or use in a spray bottle.

6. Rust Remover

Sprinkle a little salt on the rust along with a squeeze of lime juice until well soaked. Leave it for 2-3 hours and rinse with a damp sponge.

Photos: Cleaning Dolls, The Happy Housewife, Ciulla Assoc.