STORAGE
When choosing your caddy and products, think about where you are going to store them. Do you have a large enough space? It is so important to consider this before you go out and buy loads of items.
It’s good to designate a space under your kitchen or bathroom sink or in your laundry room for cleaning products. Under-sink storage solutions are a great use of space and will free up other areas of your home.
If space is tight, don’t panic – there are some great options available these days. Consider using over-the-door storage solutions. If you are using a mop and bucket, use the bucket for storing items. Roll up your cloths for easy storage, too.
Vacuums aren’t always the easiest items to store and can take up valuable room. If cupboard space is limited, you could store your vacuum under your bed, in an under-stair cupboard, behind the sofa or even on top of the wardrobe, if it will lie flat.
Queen of Clean’s homemade cleaner recipes
I am a huge fan of natural cleaning and making my own cleaning products. The air quality inside many homes can be two to five times more polluted than the air just outside. Traditional shop-bought household products play a huge part in creating this pollution, which is why I avoid them as much as I can. Besides, making your own products can be fun and most of the ingredients can be found in your own kitchen.
It’s important to remember that homemade cleaning products don’t last indefinitely – they only have a life span of around 3 months. Make small batches and replace them frequently. If you are using fresh lemon juice, you will only get one use from the cleaning solution, as the lemon juice will go off and not be effective thereafter.
Try to use smaller bottles when mixing your own products. I love to use 500 ml bottles – this size will give me enough product to last for a few weeks.
BENEFITS OF MAKING YOUR OWN PRODUCTS
You will need:
TIPS FOR HOMEMADE PRODUCTS
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER
Mix 120 ml/½ cup white wine vinegar and 50 g/¼ cup bicarbonate of soda into 2 litres/8 cups water. Mix until completely dissolved. Decant into a labelled spray bottle.
Use this solution for the removal of water marks on shower panels and bathroom chrome fixtures, and to clean windows and mirrors. Spray directly onto surfaces and wipe with a damp microfibre cloth.
WOODEN FURNITURE POLISH
I am often asked about how to clean real wood surfaces. Some of the products on the market are just far too abrasive and can take the colour out of the wood or damage fine polished surfaces. Using a natural cleaner will ensure your wooden surfaces are well looked after.
This simple, quick and easy polish won’t cause any damage at all. Simply fill an empty spray bottle with 4 teaspoons olive oil, 4 teaspoons white wine vinegar and 10 drops of lemon essential oil and shake really well. A few sprays and a rub with a soft microfibre cloth and… voila! You will be left with the perfect finish.
NOTE: this polish is single use. Do all your woodwork on the same day to get full use of the solution.
AIR FRESHENERS
Air fresheners are commonly used to mask bad smells within the home, however they don’t actually get rid of the smell altogether. Many of my natural solutions will absorb and remove the nasty odours for fresher, healthier air.