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Many people buy their home cleaners in supermarkets or big box stores but it’s possible to make your own safe and effective products at home. Why purchase name brand products when these DIY cleaners can clean as well if not better than what’s available in stores for a fraction of the cost?
Making your own cleaners also means that you can choose not to buy hazardous cleaners and only use natural products like white vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, and essential oils. Check out these seven DIY home cleaning recipes and leave the grime behind.
All-Purpose Cleaner
For a clean and fresh smelling home, this DIY all-purpose cleaner is good for all surfaces except glass, according to Real Simple. All you need is three-quarters cup of water, one-quarter cupof rubbing alcohol, one squirt of an eco-friendly or homemade dish soap, around 5 – 10 drops of lemon, orange or mint essential oil, and a clean 16-ounce (about half a liter) spray bottle. Just pour all the ingredients into the spray bottle and shake to mix. It really is that simple.
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Bathroom Cleaner
This recipe from Oprah Daily makes bathroom cleaning a snap because it works equally well in the bathtub, sink, and tiles. You don’t even need a separate floor cleaner. Just fill a clean jar with 1 ½ cups baking soda, one-half cup warm water, a half cup dishwashing detergent – store-bought or homemade – and 2 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar. You can even boost the cleaning power by adding a drop of lemon juice.
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Laundry Detergent
You can make your own laundry detergent that’s safe to use in washers with just two ingredients: sal suds and baking soda. To make a single load of detergent, just mix 2 tablespoons of Sal suds and one-half cup of baking soda. You can add one-quarter cup of white distilled vinegar to help brighten a load of whites.
Another recipe from DIY Natural that uses bar soap like castile, borax and washing soda. Either way, you can get your laundry clean using earth-friendly ingredients for a fraction of the cost of commercial detergents.
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Glass Cleaner
The next time you have to wash your windows, make it less of a chore by turning to this all-natural recipe from Good Housekeeping. All you need is 2 cups of water, one-half cup of white or cider vinegar, one-quarter cup rubbing alcohol, and 1-2 drops of orange essential oil. Add the mixture to a clean spray bottle and you’re ready to clean.
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Clothing Stain Remover
Fabulous Frugal boasts that this DIY stain remover can remove almost any stain even better than what’s available in stores. This easy recipe uses just three ingredients: baking soda, dishwashing detergent, and hydrogen peroxide. Just mix a small amount of each in a bowl when you need to clean a stain. Gently rub the paste on the clothing item with a toothbrush and let stand an hour before washing. Make sure you test it on the item first.
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Carpet Cleaner
If your fur baby tracked some dirt on your carpet, don’t despair. Just mix up this easy recipe from Oprah Daily. Mix 1 teaspoon of clear natural dish soap with 1 cup of warm water in a bucket, blot dry the carpet and apply the mixture to the stain and gently scrub until clean.
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Air Freshener
Smelly homes have met their match with this recipe from Southern Living. You will need 2 cups of water, 20-30 drops of your favorite essential oil – lemon, lavender and eucalyptus work best, 2 tablespoons of baking soda and a clean spray bottle. Mix well and pour the ingredients into the spray bottle. You can change the scent to match your mood or the seasons.
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