Spring cleaning starts NOW with 4 fantastic tonics!

It’s time to turn your thoughts to the annual scrub-down of your home, otherwise known as spring cleaning. Here’s a room-by-room rundown of family-friendly DIY formulas to help you get the job done efficiently:

In the Kitchen:

If your cozy cabinets are looking a little too “lived in,” perk ’em up with this deodorizing Cupboard Cleanup Formula: 

• Mix 1 cup of ammonia, 1 cup of white vinegar, ⅓ cup of baking soda, and 1 gallon of water in a bucket, then use a sturdy sponge to wash your cupboards — inside and out.
• Rinse your sponge with clear water between swipes, so the stuff in your bucket stays potent.

In the Bathroom:

You don’t need a different cleaner for every surface in your bathroom — all you need is this Easy All-Surface Cleaning Elixir:

• Combine 2 cups of rubbing alcohol, 1 tablespoon of ammonia, 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid, and 2 quarts of water in a handheld sprayer bottle, and go to town.

Family Room and Bedrooms:

It’s easy to forget that baseboards need to be spruced up along with everything else. Vacuum them with a hose attachment, then wipe them down with this Baseboard Bonanza:

• Measure a tablespoon of cornstarch into a handheld sprayer bottle, then carefully add 2 cups of boiling water and stir until the cornstarch has dissolved.
• Add ⅓ cup of white vinegar and stir.
• Now take aim and fire the spray on baseboards, wiping them clean with a soft cloth or damp sponge.

Floors:

Perk up your carpet’s high-traffic zones with a batch of this Can-Do Carpet Shampoo (you may never buy a bottle of the brand-name stuff again):

• Mix ½ cup of powdered laundry detergent, 1 teaspoon of ammonia, and 4 cups of warm water in a bucket, stirring vigorously until you get a thick froth. 
• Dampen a large sponge with the froth only, and rub the entire carpet lightly. You’ll have to stir the solution frequently to keep the froth from settling. 
• When the carpet has been cleaned, let it dry, then vacuum accordingly.