Everyday Cheapskate: Here are my favorite do-it-yourself household recipes

WINDOW AND GLASS CLEANER

1/2 cup non-sudsing household ammonia

1/2 cup white vinegar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 drops blue food coloring (optional)

warm water

Pour ingredients into a gallon-size container that has a tight-fitting lid. Fill with warm water. Shake to incorporate. The food coloring, while not necessary, will alert you that the contents are not water. Label, and keep out of the reach of children.

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER

2 cups rubbing alcohol

1 tablespoon blue Dawn dishwashing soap

1 tablespoon non-sudsing household ammonia

1 tablespoon white vinegar

Mix in a gallon container that has a tight-fitting lid. Fill container with warm water, and shake to mix. You can put this in a spray bottle and use as you would any other household cleaner. Great for cleaning chrome, countertops and bath fixtures.

LAUNDRY BLEACH ALTERNATIVE

12 cups water

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 cup hydrogen peroxide

Mix, label, and store in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Add 2 cups per load of whites to keep them bright.

TUB AND TILE CLEANER

1/2 cup blue Dawn liquid dishwashing soap

white vinegar

water

Pour the blue Dawn (no substitute, please) into spray bottle, and fill the rest of the bottle with vinegar. Shake to mix. Spray on tub and enclosures; scrub. Rinse well. Note: This is an amazing cleaner that simply melts away soap and scum from tubs, showers and glass doors. Carefully heat the vinegar in the microwave before mixing, and it will work even faster.

I have created a 60-page print booklet, “Cheapskate Solutions,” filled with dozens more recipes and formulas for all kinds of household, health and beauty, craft and play items and even recipes for your garden. Send $6 to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630 (or to the address below), and I’ll get your copy into the mail, pronto.

To find out more about Mary Hunt and read her past columns, please visit the Creators webpage at www.creators.com.