Follow guidelines to make cheaper household cleaners

Dear Readers: Those trusted commercial cleaners do a great job in our homes. But we also use vinegar, baking soda, bleach and ammonia for cleaning. If you want to use these items to make your own cheaper cleaners, follow these guidelines from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

K Never combine ammonia or ammonia-based cleaners with chlorine bleach or any product that contains bleach. The fumes from this combination can be very dangerous.

K Use great care when you mix products.

K Read the labels first to identify the ingredients. Some products contain chlorine bleach and other chemicals.

K Put all mixtures in clearly marked containers, like a bottle with a pump nozzle for spraying. The label should include the list of ingredients, date mixed and what the formula will be used for, as well as any warnings, like surfaces to avoid and skin protection.

— Heloise

Dear Readers: Yes, the inside of your dryer does need to be cleaned. The first step is to clean lint from the filter after every load. Then wash the filter often in warm, soapy water to remove any buildup of fabric softener (both liquid and sheets) that may clog the filter and create a fire hazard. Dry thoroughly before putting back. Also vacuum the area where the filter goes into.

If you can see that the dryer drum is dirty or stained, clean it with a mild liquid detergent that’s been poured onto a damp, clean cloth. Wipe over the affected area.

Then wipe clean with a new cloth dampened with water. Never spray cleaner directly into the inside of the dryer.

— Heloise

Dear Readers: After you put away the leftover ham, save the broth. Pour it into an ice-cube tray, cover with plastic wrap and freeze. Put the frozen broth cubes in a freezer-safe bag. Then use the cubes to flavor vegetables, eggs and casseroles.

— Heloise