Thrifty Mom

Frugal Homemaker

Here, you'll find proven thrifty Mom (and Dad) strategies that'll save you a bundle.

A frugal homemaker is wise with their money in many ways. "Save money around home" is the motto. Join in and share your thrifty Mom tips

Frugal Cleaning

I can tell you her home was smelled fresh and was spotless.

• Baking Soda

  You'll find using baking soda as a household cleaner is not only extremely cheap and non-toxic but also very effective. It's basically an all-purpose natural cleaner that you can use as a deodorizer and cleaner.

  You'll find that baking soda has several uses. You can use it as a natural air freshener and deodorizer for any room in your home by simply opening up the box. Baking soda, when combined with water and white vinegar also works great for cleaning the kitchen, ovens, bathrooms, you name it.

  Did you know baking soda can be used to get your cloths cleaner and even as a spot remover? Forget about trying to scrub out stains. Just add about a 1/2 cup baking soda in with your laundry detergent, and whaa laa, you'll have cleaner clothes.

  If you have a clogged drain, it's baking soda to the rescue again. Pour 1/3 to 1/2 cup of baking soda down the clogged drain. Then, add a 1/2 cup white vinegar and let set for 5 minutes.

  Then pour about 8 cups of boiling water down the drain. What happens is the baking soda and vinegar combination breaks down the clog into a soapy substance allowing the clog to flush down the drain. Yes, this does work!

• White Vinegar

  White vinegar is also a very cheap and effective household cleaner. You'll find that it also has multiple uses, especially when combined with baking soda. This stuff actually removes mold and mildew, stains, grease and can be used for cleaning kitchens countertops, floors, bathrooms, windows, carpet and furniture.

  For a multi-purpose cleaner to clean floors, counter-tops, etc. combine 1/3 cup baking soda with 1 cup vinegar and 1 gallon of water. Then you just mix this up and store it in a capped container ready to use as a cleaner.

  Forget about spending a lot of money on commercial stain removal products. Vinegar is also an excellent stain remover. If you're dealing with a tough stain, mix vinegar with the same amount of warm water and let the clothing soak for a few hours.

• Other Frugal Cleaning Tips

  Wood Surfaces - Combine 1 cup olive oil with a 1/3 cup lemon juice for cleaning wood surfaces.

  Cleaning Cloths - Instead of throwing them away, you can cut up old towels to use as cleaning cloths. When on sale, you can also buy a huge box of painters' rags at a Lowes or Home Depot.

  Sponges - No need to throw away your dirty sponges. You can boil the sponges in water and baking soda for re-use.

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