Chemical-based cleaners can be a big help with cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in your home. If used improperly, household chemicals can be dangerous. Below are articles about many common cleaners and how to use them safely. Click on the titles to read the entire articles.
Home-Ec101.com's Guide to Household Chemicals
Cleaning relies on chemistry. Any chemist worth their salt knows that safety is rule one. Here's a guide to some of the most common products you'll find and use in your home.
How to Use Bleach Safely
Chlorine bleach is cheap, reliable, and widely available. Learn how to use it to sanitize and disinfect your home safely.
Synthetic or Distilled Vinegar, Is It the Same as Apple Cider Vinegar for Cleaning?
Homemade cleaning recipes can be confusing. Learn what to use when making your own household cleaners and why.
Oxygen Bleach an Introduction
Harness the cleaning power of oxygen. It's safe for colors and so much more. It gets your whites whiter and can be used as a disinfectant. Learn about oxygen bleach aka hydrogen peroxide and in its solid form, sodium percarbonate.
How to Use Rubbing Alcohol Safely
Isopropyl alcohol has long been used in homemade window cleaners, but since the start of COVID-19, it has been more widely recognized for its disinfecting properties. Learn how to use this household chemical safely.
Is Vinegar an Acceptably Safe Alternative for Chlorine Bleach when Disinfecting
What does the CDC say about using bleach instead of vinegar to kill germs? Is it a good alternative?
Do not mix bleach and vinegar
Most people know not to mix bleach with ammonia, but vinegar is another big no-no.
Chemistry is fun as long you know what you are doing. Unintended experiments can have dangerous, even deadly consequences.
Borax and washing soda and where to find it all, oh my!
Borax is often recommended as a laundry additive, washing soda is often called for in homemade cleaners, but where do you find them?
Sodium percarbonate? What is it again?
You know it better by its commercial name oxygen bleach or what we call it in solution, hydrogen peroxide.. learn more about this common household chemical.
Vinegar as a Dishwasher Rinse Aid
Will using vinegar as a rinse aid damage your appliance? Will your dishes still come clean?
7 Places To Use Bar Keepers Friend
Oxalic acid is what makes this scouring powder so effective. Learn where Heather and the team love to use BKF around the house
Have a question about a household chemical? Submit your questions to helpme@home-ec101.com.
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Marlette
Thank you for taking the time to write something kind, I truly appreciate it.
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Hi
I love the page you do and the time for you to help people is awesome !
I have a question is there a way to make carpet cleaner for in a carpet machine ? I have 5 cats and I have alot of messes :/
Thank you in advance !
Earlier I posted question on having used powerful drain cleaner in the plug hole of my acrylic bath I was left with large white patch on the acrylic and asked if the bath was permanently damaged.
However, I have managed to get it off by laboriously scrubbing with toothpaste and toothbrush.
(This also works on car headlamp perspex when gets hazy).
Hi,
Is there a particular natural preservative you would recommend for using in homemade cleaning products to extend the shelf life?