Tip #1 - Cleaning your washing machine:  

Even washing machines can get a little stinky. Laundry detergent and other substances can get trapped in the washing machine and cause an unpleasant odor over time. Using Epsom salt in a washing machine is a natural way to freshen the appliance and get rid of any lingering odors.

Fill the tub of the washer with hot water. Mix in 1 cup of Epsom salt and 1 quart of white vinegar. Let the wash cycle run for a minute or so to get the solution moving in the washing machine. Then, pause the cycle to let the cleaning solution soak in the machine for an hour. Next, allow the cycle to finish and drain.

Before running a wash with clothes, run a rinse cycle to make sure the solution has gotten flushed out of the washing machine. This cleaning hack will get your washing machine cleaned out and smelling fresh again.

Tip #2 – Toilet Bowl Cleaner:  

Mix 1 cup of Epsom salt, 2 tablespoons of a natural liquid dish soap of your choice and 3 cups of distilled white vinegar. If desired, add antibacterial essential oils for a fresh scent.

Blend the ingredients thoroughly. The Epsom salt may not completely dissolve, but the grainy texture will help with scrubbing away stubborn hard water stains. Pour 1/3 of the mixture into the toilet bowl and allow it to sit for 20 to 30 minutes to let it work its magic. Scrub stains away with a toilet brush. This is a great alternative to store-bought cleaners.

Tip #3 - Tile/Grout Cleaner:  

The texture of Epsom salt can get out stubborn stains and mildew when cleaning kitchen tiles, bathroom tiles and grout. The Farmer's Almanac has a recipe for a DIY bathroom cleaning solution. Create the cleaner by mixing equal parts Epsom salt and a liquid dish detergent of your choice in a spray bottle or a bowl. Apply the solution on kitchen or bathroom surfaces and allow it to soak in for several minutes. Use a sponge to scrub away dirt, mildew or stains and rinse with clean water for a streak free shine. This is a great alternative to harsh chemicals and store-bought bathroom and kitchen cleaning products.

Tip #4 - Washing Pots & Pans:  

Pour a small amount of Epsom salt onto the pan before you scrub it. Then use a sponge and the salt to rub away any stuck-on food easily. The abrasive nature of the Epsom salt crystals will help remove that stuck-on food without damaging the surface.

Make your own Dishwashing Tablets:  When combined with other common and safe ingredients – Borax, washing soda, baking soda, citric acid, vinegar and essential oils – you can make dish-washing tablets that clean your dishes just as well as anything store-bought, for a much more affordable price.

Use as a Fabric Softener:  Create your own fabric softener crystals by mixing one cup of Epsom salt with 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Use ¼ cup per load when beginning the wash. Lavender essential oil provides soothing and relaxing benefits and is great for use with blankets, sheets and tiles. Experiment with other essential oils of your choice for clean and fragrant laundry. Your clothes will be softened naturally by this mixture.

 Exfoliating Facial Cleanser:  Due to the texture of Epsom salt, it can be a great exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and unblock clogged pores. The Farmer's Almanac suggests mixing a pinch of Epsom salt in with your usual facial cleanser. Gently rub in a circular motion and rinse off. As with all exfoliants, be very gentle as to not irritate your skin and avoid sensitive areas like under your eyes.

Rubbing Alcohol, found on you’re the shelf of your local grocery story or pharmacy, can be purchased for $2-$6 per bottle and used for more tips than we have time to discuss in one blog.  

Here we go….

• Tip #1: Defrost your windows! Old man winter is here, do your windows frost up? Wash them with a solution of ½ cup rubbing alcohol to 1-quart (1 liter) water to PREVENT frost. Polish the windows with newspaper to make them shine after you apply the solution to make them shine.

• Tip #2: Dissolve windshield frost. Don’t spend your time scraping frost off your windshield. Instead, fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and spray the windshield. It wipes the frost right off and it won’t refreeze.

• Tip # 3: Put an end to RING AROUND THE COLLAR. Prevent collar stains on your shirts by wiping rubbing alcohol on your collar in the morning before you dress.

• Tip # 4: Permanent markers stains. Your child decided to draw the family portrait….in permanent marker… on your kitchen counter. No worries, most countertops are made out of plastic laminate or marble. Rubbing alcohol dissolves the ink back to liquid and it wipes right off.

• Tip #5: Make your own disinfectant. With winter comes the cold and flu season. Mix one-part rubbing alcohol to one-part water and pour into a spray bottle for disinfectant. Use to clean any area with germs or clean spray on a cotton pad to clean personal items, such as your earrings or the kid's toys.

• Tip # 6: Clean Sinks and Chrome. If a shiny sink gets you excited, you are going to love this. Clean out your stainless steel or porcelain sink and spray it with rubbing alcohol. This not only cleans and disinfects it, but it also shines it as well. To shine use a dry cloth to buff the sink and it is safe on both chrome and brass so use it to shine the chrome or polish the brass fixtures.

Be sure to check back for more Cleaning Tips Part on our website.  And, remember to call Laura, (402) 578-6515 at It is What It is Cleaning for all of your home and office cleaning needs.

Found in your local grocery store aisle, distilled white vinegar, can be used to clean many areas of your home. We compiled the many uses of vinegar in cleaning your home.

The cleaning uses of vinegar are many from counter tops to mattresses vinegar is a natural way to clean your home inside and out. We put together a list of the top 25 tips for cleaning with distilled white vinegar:

• General all-purpose cleaning: Clean walls, woodwork, blinds, toys, and your fireplace. Dab a white cloth with vinegar to remove white stains from wood furniture. Remove gum and other sticky films from carpet and surfaces.

• How to Make General All Purpose Solution and Disinfectant: Mix 50/50 water and vinegar.

• Windows and Glass: Fill a spray bottle with 1/3 full of vinegar, add 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, and water.

• Carpet rinse: Keep your carpet cleaner, longer after shampooing by rinsing it with 1/2-cup vinegar per gallon of water.

• Carpet pet odor remover: Wet spot with vinegar. Sprinkle with baking soda, and work the two together. Let dry overnight. Vacuum.

• Wood furniture: Clean and condition furniture by adding 1/4-cup white vinegar mixed with 1-cup olive oil.

• Air Freshener: 1/2 tsp vinegar in a spray bottle filled with water

• Remove fingerprints, cutting boards, stainless steel, and windows with a 2:1 vinegar and water solution in a spray bottle. Also, can be used to clean butcher block countertops, stainless steel appliances, windows, and patio doors.

• Save Time and Money Cleaning with Vinegar

• Next time you’re at your local grocery store pick up a bottle of distilled white vinegar found on the shelves of your local grocery store to use to clean your home.

• Clean sticky surfaces with non-diluted vinegar and rag. Works to remove the sticky residue left behind from stickers.

• Remove ink marks on painted walls by dipping a cotton swab in vinegar and apply to the ink, rub to remove.

• Refrigerator: Don't use chemicals where you store your food. Clean with vinegar. Wipe up spills with a 50-50 vinegar-water mix.

• Microwave: Remove stains and buildup. Microwave 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a glass bowl until boiling (usually 2-3 minutes). Simply wipe away buildup with a cloth.

• Coat stained plastic containers with vinegar and let sit for several hours. Then wash as usual to remove stains.

• Countertops: Spray vinegar on your countertops (Warning: Do Not Use on Granite or Marble Surfaces) and wipe with a warm, wet rag.

• Toilet: Light soil: pour one cup of vinegar in toilet and let it sit overnight. The next day, scrub with baking soda, then flush. For Heavy soil empty the toilet water before pouring vinegar in bowl.

• Disinfectant: Scrub away bacteria, fight stains and odors with straight vinegar.

• Tub, Sink, and Drains: Plug drain and pour 1/2-cup distilled white vinegar around drain. Let sit for several hours. Then scrub to remove buildup. Drain, and rinse.

• Unclog any drain without chemicals by pouring 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1 cup vinegar; allow to foam. Rinse.

• Shower: use a dryer sheet to remove soap scum on shower doors. Wet down 2-3 dryer sheets and wipe the door down then rinse well to remove the soap scum. For tough to remove buildup and stains try boiling vinegar then use to wipe down shower door and walls. Every five minutes for the next half hour dampen the walls and door by wiping them down again. After 30 minutes, grab a no scratch sponge and dip in vinegar and add a small amount of baking soda, and scrub. Rinse. Removes mold, water spots, and soap scum.

• Dampen a sponge with vinegar (no water) to remove soap scum from shower curtains

• Showerhead: Fill a plastic bag with vinegar and secure it to your showerhead with a twist-tie. The bottom part of the showerhead should be submerged in the vinegar. Let sit overnight. Remove. Removes mold, water spots, and soap scum.

• Mattress disinfectant: Mix vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Lightly spritz on your mattress to help combat dust mites, mildew, and general odors. To deep clean, follow with a dusting of baking soda. Let dry, then vacuum.

• As a fabric softener: Soften clothes and remove static for half the price of store bought softeners. Just add a cup to the water of the last rinse cycle.

For additional help cleaning your home, contact It Is What It Is Cleaning (402) 578-6515.

WARNING: When using vinegar to clean, always test spot fabrics, furniture, flooring, and carpet before applying. Much like lemon juice, vinegar is acidic as it has a pH of 2-3. Also, vinegar should not be used on granite, marble, stone tiles, and hard surfaces as it may ruin the finish.