DIY - Cleaning Solutions for the Home

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# Family DIY Cleaning Solutions Guide

## Essential Supplies Needed
- Spray bottles (clean, empty)
- Measuring cups
- Permanent marker for labeling
- Funnel (helpful but not required)

## The Four Essential Solutions

### 1. All-Purpose Cleaner
**Perfect for daily cleaning tasks**

**Recipe:**
- 1 cup distilled vinegar
- 1 cup water  
- 3-4 drops liquid dish soap

**Mixing Instructions:**
1. Use a 16-24 oz spray bottle
2. Add vinegar first, then water
3. Add dish soap last (too much will create excess suds)
4. Screw on spray top and gently swirl to mix
5. Label bottle clearly: "All-Purpose Cleaner"

**Best Uses:**
- Kitchen counters and appliances
- Bathroom sinks and faucets
- Light switches and door handles
- Most hard surfaces
- Quick daily wipe-downs

**Tips:**
- Safe for most surfaces except natural stone (marble, granite)
- Let sit for 30 seconds on surfaces before wiping
- Use microfiber cloths for best results

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### 2. Glass & Mirror Cleaner
**For streak-free shine**

**Recipe:**
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup distilled vinegar
- 2 drops liquid dish soap

**Mixing Instructions:**
1. Use a 12-16 oz spray bottle
2. Add water first, then vinegar
3. Add just 2 drops of dish soap (more will leave streaks)
4. Gently swirl to combine
5. Label bottle: "Glass Cleaner"

**Best Uses:**
- Windows and sliding doors
- Bathroom mirrors
- Glass shower doors
- Chrome fixtures and faucets
- Glass tables and surfaces

**Tips:**
- Spray, then wipe with newspaper or lint-free cloth
- Work in circular motions, then finish with vertical strokes
- Don't use in direct sunlight (causes streaking)

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### 3. Heavy-Duty Degreaser
**For tough, greasy messes**

**Recipe:**
- ½ cup distilled vinegar
- ¼ cup liquid dish soap
- 2 cups warm water

**Mixing Instructions:**
1. Use a larger spray bottle (24-32 oz)
2. Add warm water first
3. Add vinegar, then dish soap
4. Mix gently to avoid creating foam
5. Label bottle: "Heavy-Duty Degreaser"

**Best Uses:**
- Stovetop and range hood
- Inside oven (when cool)
- Greasy cabinet fronts
- Garage and workshop surfaces
- BBQ grill grates (when cool)

**Tips:**
- Spray generously and let sit 5-10 minutes before scrubbing
- Use with a scrub brush or sponge for tough buildup
- May need to reapply for very stubborn grease
- Rinse surfaces with clean water after cleaning

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### 4. Scrubbing Paste
**For the toughest jobs**

**Recipe:**
- Baking soda
- Small amount of water (add gradually)

**Mixing Instructions:**
1. In a small bowl, start with ½ cup baking soda
2. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time
3. Mix until you have a thick, spreadable paste
4. Store in a small jar or container
5. Label: "Scrubbing Paste - Make Fresh Weekly"

**Best Uses:**
- Bathroom sinks and tubs
- Toilet bowls and rings
- Burnt cookware
- Stubborn soap scum
- Coffee and tea stains

**Tips:**
- Make small batches fresh (paste doesn't keep well)
- Apply paste, let sit 10-15 minutes, then scrub
- Use with an old toothbrush for grout and tight spaces
- Rinse thoroughly after scrubbing

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## Bonus: Disinfectant Spray
**For sanitizing high-touch areas**

**What You Need:**
- 70% isopropyl alcohol (buy ready-made)
- Clean spray bottle

**Instructions:**
- Simply pour 70% rubbing alcohol into spray bottle
- Label clearly: "Disinfectant - 70% Alcohol"

**Best Uses:**
- Door handles and light switches
- Phone screens and keyboards
- Steering wheels
- Shopping cart handles

**Important:** Let surfaces air dry completely for maximum effectiveness

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## Deep Cleaning: Bathroom Edition
**Monthly intensive cleaning routine**

### Preparation (5 minutes)
- Remove all items from surfaces, shower, and tub
- Open windows or turn on exhaust fan
- Gather supplies: scrubbing paste, heavy-duty degreaser, old toothbrush, scrub brush

### Step-by-Step Deep Clean

**1. Toilet (Start here - gives other products time to work)**
- Apply scrubbing paste inside bowl, under rim
- Spray all-purpose cleaner on exterior surfaces
- Let both sit while you work on other areas
- Return later to scrub bowl with toilet brush and wipe exterior

**2. Shower/Tub Treatment**
- Spray heavy-duty degreaser on all surfaces
- Apply scrubbing paste to soap scum areas
- Let sit 15-20 minutes (this is key!)
- For glass doors: use glass cleaner after removing buildup

**3. Grout & Tile Work**
- Make extra thick scrubbing paste
- Apply to grout lines with old toothbrush
- Let sit 10 minutes, then scrub vigorously
- For stubborn mildew: spray with 70% alcohol after cleaning

**4. Sink & Vanity Deep Clean**
- Remove everything from vanity
- Apply scrubbing paste to sink basin and faucet base
- Spray heavy-duty degreaser on vanity surfaces
- Clean faucet and handles with all-purpose cleaner

**5. Floor Finale**
- Sweep/vacuum first
- Mop with all-purpose cleaner solution
- Pay extra attention to corners and behind toilet

### Pro Deep Cleaning Tips

**Timing Strategy:**
- Start on a day when bathroom won't be needed for 2-3 hours
- Apply products and let them work - don't rush the "sit time"
- Work top to bottom, left to right

**Tough Problem Solutions:**
- **Hard water rings:** Extra thick scrubbing paste + lots of elbow grease
- **Soap scum buildup:** Heavy-duty degreaser, 20-minute wait, then scrub
- **Mildew in grout:** Clean first, then spray with alcohol, let air dry
- **Mineral buildup on showerhead:** Unscrew and soak in straight vinegar overnight

**Tools for Deep Cleaning:**
- Old toothbrushes (grout, tight spaces)
- Scrub brushes (various sizes)
- Plastic scraper (stubborn buildup)
- Microfiber cloths (final wipe-down)
- Rubber gloves (protect hands during long scrubbing sessions)

**After Deep Cleaning:**
- Rinse all surfaces thoroughly with clean water
- Dry completely to prevent water spots
- Replace items once everything is completely dry

**Maintenance Between Deep Cleans:**
- Daily: Quick wipe of sink and toilet with all-purpose cleaner
- Weekly: Spray shower walls with glass cleaner after last use
- Weekly: Scrub toilet bowl with scrubbing paste

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## Safety & Storage Tips

### Family Safety
- Keep all bottles labeled clearly
- Store out of reach of small children
- Never mix different cleaning solutions together
- Open windows for ventilation when using

### Storage Guidelines
- Store in cool, dry places away from direct sunlight
- Vinegar solutions last 3-6 months
- Replace solutions if they smell off or change color
- Write mixing date on labels

### Surface Safety
**Safe for vinegar-based cleaners:**
- Quartz countertops (engineered stone)
- Sealed granite and most stone surfaces
- Stainless steel, ceramic, glass

**Avoid vinegar-based cleaners on:**
- Natural marble, limestone, travertine (unsealed)
- Unsealed wood surfaces
- Cast iron cookware
- Certain electronics (check manufacturer guidelines)

**Your quartz countertops are perfect for the All-Purpose Cleaner!**

**When in doubt, test in an inconspicuous area first**

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## Quick Reference Checklist

✅ **Daily cleaning:** All-Purpose Cleaner  
✅ **Glass & mirrors:** Glass Cleaner  
✅ **Greasy messes:** Heavy-Duty Degreaser  
✅ **Tough scrubbing:** Scrubbing Paste  
✅ **Sanitizing:** 70% Alcohol  

**These five solutions handle 95% of household cleaning tasks!**