Homemade Cleaning Solutions for Water Features

When it comes to going green, you either don't care or you are all about it. When it comes to saving money, most people are all about it. The problem with going green is that it is usually more costly. You can make your own green cleaners for much cheaper than you can buy them. Whether you want to save the environment or just save some cash, this recipe can give you that opportunity. With some common household items, you can create your own cleanser that works wonders on hard water stains, calcium buildup, and any other buildup on your home's water fixtures. There are several things around your home that can be used in this. Each of these things can work as a good cleaner independently, but when combined, they can create an even more potent cleanser.

The most common of these cleaners is salt. You can use salt straight from the shaker for large amounts of buildup or areas where you need an abrasive cleanser. You can also dilute it and use salt water when you need a softer cleaner. Another great substance to use is citrus. You can use any type of citrus but the more sour it is, the better it cleans. Oranges are the least potent of the common citrus, but they offer a great smell. To use these, you can either juice them and use that or cut the fruit in half and rub the open side to the surface that needs to be cleaned. Potatoes are another highly acidic food that helps with cleaning, but their high starch content can leave a buildup that will need to be washed off once you are done. While vinegar may not be the best smelling thing in your kitchen, it makes a great cleaner. You can use this as a soak or like a liquid soap. Regardless of which of these you use, you will want to couple it with some Scotch-Brite or similar scrubbing pad. Using steel wool can be useful for large buildups, but it can scratch the finish and ruin the shine of your fixtures. A sponge with a Scotch-Brite backing may be the best option so that you can wipe down the softer surfaces and still have the coarse surface for more intense scrubbing.

While these can be great by themselves, they often work better when combined. Adding all of these to each other not only boosts their potency, but it can improve the smells and create an all-around great cleaner that you can use all over the house, not just on your water fixtures. To do this, you will need to get an old cleanser bottle. These are best to use so that no one confuses them and accidentally ingests it (while this may not kill them, it would be some horrible tasting stuff that you don't want to drink). This also allows for the vinegar, potatoes, and citrus to blend better as it sits. You will need to shake this solution before you use it ever time. The salt has a tendency to settle to the bottom and the citric acid and vinegar acid can separate as well. The following recipe is meant to be mixed in a 16-20 oz. bottle. You will want to increase the amounts for larger bottles. You may also find more of one ingredient works better for you. You can alter this recipe as needed. You can also add some mint mouthwash to this for a better smell and slightly better cleaning power. If you do, it may not be a green solution anymore (depends on what mouthwash you use). An additional thing you can do for a foaming action is sprinkle baking soda on the area prior to applying the cleanser. Do not add the soda to the bottle. The vinegar will cause the soda to foam up and it will then reach into the little crevices and crannies. You can use the baking soda as a pre-scrub type cleaner and then go over it with the cleaning solution. This cleaner is safe to use anywhere. A quick rinse and you are done. It can also get the stains out of your coffee pot. If you run this mixture through your coffee maker and then run about ten pots of water to rinse it out thoroughly, your pot will be like new again.

Vinegar

1 orange (halved)

2 TBS. salt

1 potato (peeled or scalloped)

Mint leaves (optional)

Mouthwash (optional)

Juice the orange and add the juice to a 16-20 oz. bottle. Add the salt and ten to fifteen paper thin peels of potato to the juice. Slice the orange peel from half the orange into thin strips and add these to the mixture. If you are going to add mint leaves (for aroma) or mouthwash, you will put it in now. Fill the bottle the rest of the way with vinegar. You will want to leave a little space in the top of the bottle so that you can easily shake the mixture. Shake it well. Let the mixture sit for one to two days on a window sill in as much direct sunlight as you can get (this will help the vinegar to breakdown the peels and help increase the potency). Shake well before each use.