HOUSEHOLD CHEMISTRY

Don't get too excited.  I'm not giving you the recipe for Heisenberg's blue meth.  I am however, going to give you lots of handy dandy recipes for cleaning products made from household ingredients like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.  And I guess this would be the appropriate time to get this out of the way:

All kinds of science happens in your kitchen every day.  Some of it bad.  Like the container of leftover chili at the back of the fridge ...
But you can use very simple everyday products to do some amazing things.  And save tons of money!

Ok.  It's true.  I have started watching Breaking Bad all over again from the beginning.  It's just as freaking good the second time around!
But, back to cleaning the house.  These are all DIY cleaning tricks that I have personally tried and found very effective.  Quite a few even work better than their toxic corporate counter parts.  So, listen up you at the back of the class!

REMOVING INK FROM A COTTON SWEATER
Lay the stained portion of fabric on several layers of clean dry paper towel.  Dip a q-tip or cotton ball in nail polish remover and dab at the ink stain.  Lift the fabric and you will see the ink on the paper towel underneath.  Keep moving to a clean part of paper towel and dabbing with the remover until the ink is all or mostly gone.  If there is a vague memory of the stain left, wash it with dish soap.  Then wash entire garment as usual.  (don't worry, this won't harm the color of the fabric.  My sweater was bright pink and still is.  If you're nervous, try a dab somewhere discreet first)

REMOVING SWEAT STAINS FROM SILK
(There is a very popular recipe for removing sweat stains from a white t shirt that is meant for cotton.  These two materials are quite different - one a product of the earth, the other manufactured by worms...   this recipes very effectively deals with the worm product)

Form a paste:

• 1 Tablespoon of Cream of Tartar
• 3 crushed aspirin tablets (the original uncoated type)
• 1 cup of warm water

Using an old toothbrush:

1. Work the paste gently into the fabric.
2. Let the treatment sit on the stain for 20 minutes.
3. Rinse the affected area in warm water until the paste is completely removed.
4. Repeat if necessary.

REMOVING BLOOD STAINS
Hydrogen Peroxide.  That's it.  Soak a clean white cloth and rub till the blood is gone.  Even dried on, day or more old


TILE/GROUT
Make a paste with baking soda and vinegar.  Apply to grout and scrub clean.  Rinse with warm water.

CLEANING TARNISHED SILVER
Use regular white toothpaste just as you would a cream silver polish.  With the added benefit of a minty  fresh smell!

GLASS CLEANER
1 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 cup water, 1 tbsp white vinegar, 2 drops blue Dawn.  Put in a spray bottle.

DRAIN CLEANER
1 cup white vinegar/ 1 cup baking soda.  Pour into clogged drain, rinse with a pot of boiling water.

EXTRA STRENGTH DRAIN CLEANER
1 cup baking soda, 1 cup salt, 1/4 cup cream of tartar.  Mix together.  Add one cup of mixture to clogged drain.  Follow with 2 cups boiling water.  Let it stand one hour then run tap.

SHOWER CLEANER
Equal parts white vinegar and blue Dawn dish soap.  Pour mixture into the handle of a dish wand and scrub down your shower every time you get in.

That's enough for now... the house is so squeaky  clean I can hardly hear myself think.  Use these recipes yourself then go buy the mug... you've earned it!