I have spring fever! I have been cleaning my cabinets and appliance fronts and and amazed at the difference. I had not gotten a really good close up look lately and had no idea how grimy the kitchen surfaces had grown. To combat this, I employed a little elbow grease and a homemade all-purpose kitchen cleaner. Instead of paying a lot of money for one of the store bought brands – I make my own.

Here is the recipe:

Add 2 Tbs. white vinegar and  1 tsp. Borax to an empty spray bottle and mix. Then fill bottle 3/4 full of warm tap water. Next add 1/4 cup of liquid soap – I like Dr. Bronner’s peppermint pure- castile soap. For the final step add 10-15 drops of an essential oil::peppermint, lavender. This adds a nice scent. Gently mix and start cleaning. This is good for counter tops and sinks, appliances and table tops. It cleans without toxic substances and is safe if it gets on food or in mouths! There are many recipes for homemade all-purpose cleaners – just google it for more ideas.

To get rid of really stuck on gunk – add baking soda. Spray some of the general purpose cleaner onto a clean rag or paper towel and then sprinkle on baking soda. Adds enough grit to clean up day old spills but will not ruin surfaces. It worked wonders on my refrigerator – inside and out!