Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) as a Degreaser?!

As you all found out in my last post, I LOVE to clean!  Over the past 12 years I have graduated from the very strong and potentially harmful cleaning solutions to about 90% all natural and safe products.   However, I have found this small little miracle...Isopropyl Alcohol.  It is not a natural cleaner, but I have to share with you some of its wonderful uses.

I have tested and tried out many cleaning solutions and ideas to get that sticky, tacky, yellowish brown grease out of my kitchen.  I am sure you all know what I am talking about.  That grease can be found on the cabinets, light fixtures, and under the microwave that is over the stove.  And finally I found it, Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol)!  As I stated before this is not a "natural" product, but it works and the unpleasant fumes that it gives off are short lived and gone as soon as the area is dry.

Try on a small test area before you start!!!

I take the rubbing alcohol and put on a cotton ball to test the area first.  Once I determine the area is safe, I dampen a rag with the alcohol and wipe the surface.  Depending on the amount of grease build up, it may take cleaning it twice to remove all grease.


I have successfully used Isopropyl Alcohol on my waffle maker, kitchen cabinets above the stove, underneath of the microwave, light fixture, and toaster oven. 

buzzle.com

It dries and leaves no vapors but just as an extra precaution I will rinse with water any areas that will come in contact with a direct flame or excessive heat.

Rubbing alcohol is a highly flammable compound that must not be used or combined with flames, lighters, gasses and extreme temperatures.
Rubbing Alcohol Facts | eHow.com

While in my search to find this wonderful degreaser I also learned that Isopropyl Alcohol can be used for many other things.  Such as: window cleaner, permanent marker remover, stain remover on laundry, mold remover (especially in showers), and it can melt frost off of windows.  So if you come across a stubborn stain or that grim in the kitchen look no further than your own cabinet.

 

The Ultimate Cleaning Schedule

To say it bluntly, I am a clean freak! I am truly passionate about cleaning and organizing, and I am good at it. While going to college I started up a small cleaning business that expanded quickly. I have a system and cleaning schedule that has worked for me for many years.

picture courtesy of eco-buzz blog

 

I have never written down my cleaning schedule until I started this blog and was asked by many for the schedule I keep.  When I finished the list and read through it I realized that it is INTENSE.  I am blessed to be able to work part time, be home with my children, and maintain the household.  With that being said, I know that this schedule will not work for everyone, but it most certainly can serve as a "guide" or "starting point" to help get your home the way you would like it. 

The Cleaning Schedule is separated into 2 sheets.  It is less overwhelming this way and helps to just work on the task at hand.  The rest serves as "reminders" so you can work a little bit each week or month into your current schedule.   

I have broken the schedule into catergories such as:

Daily
Bi-Weekly
Weekly
Bi-Monthly
Monthly
3-6 Months (or Seasonally)

 

Click on these links to get the lists
(once you click the links below you can download and print after a free login on scribd.com)

 

CLEANING SCHEDULE #1  http://www.scribd.com/doc/105742330

CLEANING SCHEDULE #2  http://www.scribd.com/doc/105742333

 
The weekly cleaning day in my house is on Tuesdays. It takes me around 3 hours to complete with no extra tasks. My Bi-Weekly "wipe down" day is on Friday or Saturday mornings. This takes me no longer than 30 minutes. I add 1-2 items from the Bi-Monthly or Monthly list to my weekly schedule so then I am not taking time out of my other days to clean.

template from
microsoftoffice.com

Keep in mind this schedule is made for my home.  Take the schedules and adjust them accordingly and get the kids involved.  It makes the cleaning go so much faster and it gives the kids responibility.  Luckily, my son and daughter still think it is "fun" to take out gargbage and put dishes away so I am using it to my advantage.

***I am always adding to my schedule so if you have a task that I do not have on my list please SHARE it with me!!!