NOWADAYS, advertisements literally bombard us with dozens of wonder bathroom products from which we can choose. Everything for disinfecting the loo, killing the invisible nasties, to keeping our bathrooms smelling as fresh as a pine grove! Yet the same results can be achieved with inexpensive, environmentally safe ingredients which are commonly found in most homes.
So the next time you clean the bathroom, why not try the following safe and simple to use ideas?
Bath and basin stains can be removed with a paste of borax and lemon juice. For a mild abrasive to clean all porcelain surfaces, make a light paste from bicarbonate of soda and water. And to disinfect bathroom and kitchen tiles, wipe over with the following eucalyptus disinfectant liquid. Dissolve 20 drops of eucalyptus oil in 10 millilitres of methylated spirits and blend this mixture with two litres of tepid water. Store in a pump-spray bottle and use on a fine-mist setting.
To whiten blackened grout between tiles, apply a paste of bicarbonate of soda with an old toothbrush. This mixture can also be used to remove mould on the tiles.
Shower screens can be cleaned with a glass cleaner. Dissolve 20 drops of lavender oil in 20 millilitres of methylated spirits and blend the mixture with half-a-litre of water. Store in a pump-spray bottle and use as required. Shower curtains can be cleaned by scrubbing with a soft bristle brush dipped in white vinegar.
White vinegar will usually remove mould and mildew from most bathroom surfaces. Apply it to affected areas, leave on overnight, then scrub off and wipe clean.
The inside surface of non septic toilet bowls can be cleaned with a paste of borax and lemon juice. For septic systems use white vinegar, since it won't harm the microbes that break down the sewerage in the septic tank. To sanitise your toilet and leave it smelling fresh, pour some white vinegar into the bowl and allow it to stand overnight.
A bathroom air freshener spray will not only keep your bathroom smelling fragrantly fresh, but it will also combat airborne bacteria and viruses. A concern when the toilet is in the bathroom.
Dissolve 15 drops of pure lavender oil and citronella oil in 20 millilitres of methylated spirits and then blend the mixture with half-a-litre of distilled water. Store in a pump-spray bottle for ease of use and again use on a fine mist spray. A few drops of lavender or other fragrant essential oil can also be placed on the cardboard tube inside the toilet paper before placing it in the holder. It's disinfecting properties will permeate the room.
