Homemade cleaners that get your home sparkling, according to pros

There are a number of ways you can clean your oven without subjecting yourself to the harsh chemicals that are hiding out in many commercial oven cleaners. But this one is the best, according to Bowen. You’ll need:

1/2 cup of baking soda

2 to 3 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar

2 to 3 tablespoons of water

In a bowl, combine the ingredients into a paste. Wearing rubber gloves (to protect you from grime, not chemicals), remove the removable racks, and wipe out any large debris that you see. Now spread the paste over the interior surfaces of the oven, avoiding the heating elements. Allow to sit overnight, and then wipe down with a damp cloth.

To clean the racks that you removed from your oven, place them in a sink that is big enough to hold them. Douse them with white distilled vinegar, and sprinkle with baking soda. Allow to sit for an hour before running the hot water and allowing the racks to be submerged overnight. In the morning, simply empty the sink of dirty water, and rinse clean.

Here are 10 things you probably didn’t realise you could microwave. That being said, whenever you cook something in your microwave, you’re going to leave some measure of spatter behind, and that can become tough to remove and ultimately leave stains, according to Ron Shimek, president of repair experts at Mr. Appliance. All you need is:

1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

Mix this solution in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat on high for 30 seconds. Carefully remove the bowl, and then wipe down your microwave oven’s interior. “The leftover food should wipe away with ease and leave a clean, fresh-baked cookie scent.”

Ever wonder why your horizontal window blinds get so dusty so quickly (like, much more quickly than any other surface in your home)? According to Bowen, the culprit is static electricity, and to combat it, you’ll need:

1/2 cup of liquid fabric softener

2 cups of water

Combine the two ingredients in a spray bottle, and using a microfibre cloth, wipe down both sides of your blinds. This solution should not only clean your blinds but also help discourage the rapid accumulation of dust attributable to static cling.

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Source: RD.com