I've been called many things in my life, but never a Becky Home-ecky. However, one of my favorite students called me that today and I'm totally okay with it. It was my husband's drill weekend and the kids were visiting Grandma, so I spent my time trying out some homemade cleaning products that I found on Pinterest. I have been amazed and uber pleased with their performance!
I sort of wish I had taken before photos so I could truly demonstrate the efficacy of these products. However, now that I see the results, the 'before' was so shameful, I would not want a record of it! I know lots of military spouses who face the white gloves when they move, so having a way to eradicate the funk of family living in a short time without spending a ton of dough can be a lifesaver.
You need look no further than the inside of my washing machine to see just how awesome these recipes are!
This is a Kenmore Series 80 top-load washer that was purchased circa 1994-95. It has been through a couple of moves, upwards of three children and has been borrowed by good friends and inlaws for use when their machines were broken or when they lived in apartments with icky laundry rooms.
This thing was NASTY, especially the fabric softener dispenser that was gummed up with more residue than should be allowed on an appliance meant to clean things. I used the first half of the tutorial explained on Ask Anna's blog because I didn't need to proceed to the bleach step thanks to vinegar's miraculous properties. Vinegar + Hot water + time = the ability to wipe away years of laundry skank from your machine's innards. I also used baking soda in the fabric softener dispenser and let the vinegar I poured into it bubble the residue loose. An old toothbrush & some Q-tips and this thing was awesomely clean.
What else did I try? Have a look after the jump!