I hate cleaning. I really do. But, since I don't have a cleaning staff, it has to get done somehow. In an attempt to reduce the number of toxic chemicals in our house, I've switched to more natural cleaners, including using vinegar and baking soda for a number of problems.
In the kitchen I keep a spray bottle of vinegar and water out to clean the table and counters. I use a four to one ratio of vinegar to water to not strip the finish off my wood table. For cleaning out the sink or the stove top, instead of cleanser I found that sprinkling baking soda around then spraying it with the vinegar solution creates a great paste that removes stains and doesn't damage my skin. The vinegar smell dissipates fast, and doesn't really bother me. (I've read that adding a few drops of essential oil may help with the smell if the odor of vinegar doesn't appeal to you.)
I discovered a bunch of "recipes" for home cleaners on Pinterest too. I found this soap scum cleaner idea there and had to try it out. I bought a 9 oz bottle of Dawn blue dish detergent for this project, as I didn't want to invest in a big bottle if it didn't work. I already had a bottle of vinegar on hand and a spray bottle, so this cleaner cost me under $2. And, it worked great!
The basic recipe is to mix an equal part of Dawn with an equal part of warm vinegar in a spray bottle. I heated up a cup of vinegar in the microwave for about 2 minutes. I poured 8 oz of Dawn into my spray bottle while the vinegar was heating up. I then added the vinegar to the bottle and gently shook the closed bottle to combine. I sprayed my entire tub and shower walls with the solution that came out as a thickish gel. The smell wasn't great, but it didn't make me gasp for air the way the bleach based cleaners do. I left it on the walls/tub while I swept and mopped my kitchen floor, then went back to rinse it. I used a cloth to help scrub it off along with water and was amazed at how well it worked! The tub actually sparkled! I used not quite half the bottle for the shower/tub, so I have enough to do the sink and the other bathroom. This will be my go-to cleaner for the tub from now on!
