Know your cleaning products

Two women, different locations, same accident.

Both women using an ordinary commercial toilet-bowl cleaner were not satisfied with the way it was removing stains. Each added chlorine bleach and stirred with a brush. One died quickly, while the other spent a long time in the hospital.

Here's the problem: Whenever chlorine bleach comes into contact with acid or an acid-producing substance like toilet-bowl cleaner or vinegar, there is a sudden release of chlorine gas. This is not a good thing! A similar result occurs when chlorine bleach is mixed with ammonia, lye or other alkaline substances.

Chlorine gas is lethal.
Now that I have your attention,let me say if you steer clear of chlorine bleach, you have nothing to fear by making your own cleaning products. Why should you even consider doing that? The cost, for starters. You know that store-bought window cleaner sitting on your counter? You paid about 15 cents an ounce for it, and it's 95 percent water. Your own products will cost only pennies to make and will not contain toxic chemicals that could be harmful to your family and the environment.

HEAVY-DUTY WINDOW CLEANER: Mix 1/2 cup household ammonia, 2 cups rubbing alcohol and 1 teaspoon liquid Dawn (the original blue variety). Mix ammonia, alcohol and detergent in 1-gallon jug. Fill with warm water. Shake before each use. This solution is great for cleaning really dirty windows and taking tape marks off windows; it's also great for removing soap film from shower doors.

DISINFECTING CLEANER: Mix household ammonia and rubbing alcohol together in equal proportions in a spray bottle. Label and keep out of reach of children. This is a very strong cleaner, so make sure you have ample ventilation when using. Wear gloves.

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar, 4 drops liquid dishwashing soap and 1/4 cup baking soda into 1 gallon of warm water. Mix well and dispense with a spray bottle.

TUB-AND-TILE CLEANER a terrific homemade version of Soft Scrub. In a small bowl, mix together 1-2/3 cups baking soda with 1/2 cup of dishwashing liquid (like Joy). Dilute with 1/2 cup water, and add 2 tablespoons white vinegar. Stir with a fork until smooth and all the lumps are gone. Pour into a 16-ounce squeeze container with a squirt flip-top cap (like a ketchup bottle or similar). Shake well before each use. Keep capped tightly between uses. Hint: Rinse the flip-top cap after each use so it won't get clogged.

CLEANER FOR PAINTED CABINETS: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 gallon warm water. Pour into a spray bottle. Wash cabinets with a sponge and this solution. Rinse with a clean sponge and water. Wipe cabinets dry completely.