I think making your own cleaners is kind of frugality 101. It's so cheap and easy and not to mention, better for your health. Plus I've found that my homemade cleaners work just as well as any of those that I buy. Here are some of my recipes for different cleaners. If you have a special homemade cleaner you make, share the recipe with us in the comments section!
All-Purpose Cleaner
1 part vinegar
2 parts water
Few Drops of Tea Tree or Lavender Essential Oil
Mix together in a spray bottle. This mixture works great for just about anything. I even use it to clean the spots on the carpet. I usually also add in a little grapefruit or orange oil to cover up the smell of the vinegar a little better.
Glass or Window Cleaner
1 part vinegar
2 parts water
Instead of using paper toweling to clean windows, try newspaper. If you are afraid of getting ink on your hands, just wear gloves.
Furniture Polish
ΒΌ c. Vinegar
1 t. olive oil
Few Drops or Lemon or Orange Essential Oil
Make sure you test on a small area first. To help remove tough water rings try rubbing a little mayonnaise on it first.
Drain Declogger
Vinegar
Baking Soda
First sprinkle a little baking soda down the drain, follow it with the vinegar. This mixture can also be used to remove smells from the carpet, just make sure you test on a small area first.
Oven/Gas Grill Cleaner
1/4 cup of Baking Soda
2 tbs dish detergent
Next, add sparingly Distilled White Vinegar to make a runny glue like texture. Next, paint or brush onto caked on greasy surfaces and let set for 15-30 minutes. Using a brillo or scouring pad, dip into water and then scrub treated surfaces clean. Rinse with water water. My gas grill was caked in grease and burnt food. Took it right off!
(thanksCharity!)
Perk Coffee Machine Cleaner
(for an 12 cup machine)
Put in 4 cups of White distilled vinegar and perk
After done perking, fill entire decanter with water and reperk to rinse. Cleans amazing and removes built up coffee residues!
(thanksCharity!)
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Very awesome! I was just thinking last night of how i could make air freshners! you have any suggestions or recipes for this? something that lasts when sprayed???
Thanks for awesome articles!
That reminds me…I had a recipe for a natural air freshener that I was going to post sometime. I will put it up on my ideas board and get it posted!
take a orange cut it in half take out the inside fill the the shell with salt put out of reach of children and its a fresh orange sent that filters through the room!!!!
Here’s the air freshener spray I use all the time. It doesn’t really have a scent, but you could add essential oils if you wanted. I find that it just leaves everything smelling clean and fresh so it’s more of an odor neutralizer.
Lemon Air Spray
In a pan combine 2 cups water and 1/8 cup baking soda. Heat, stirring, until baking soda is dissolved and mixture is clear. Add 1/2 cup lemon juice. Be careful it will foam. Cool slightly and pour into a squirt bottle. Shake before each use.
One note – this can leave a white film on surfaces, so be careful where you spray it. I usually make a new batch every week or so. You may need to occasionally run the nozzle of the spray bottle under warm water to remove any build up.
Great blog! I’m having fun perusing…
Here’s an alternative window cleaner.
Ingredients: Club soda.
Yep. That’s it. It works amazing! And it’s totally okay when it goes flat, so you could purchase a large 2-liter bottle and just save it. I also use two rags when I’m cleaning all the windows in the house. One for scrubbing and then the next to finish wiping dry.
Even though I’ve been making my own cleaners for years, I’m still amazed at how well they work.
Laundry Detergent…Fels Napha Soap, Borax & Washing Soda…works great
Question: I have some of those Bath & Bodyworks aromatherapy massage oils. Can these be used in place of essential oils? Do these cleaners need to be refrigerated? Thanks!
I’m not sure of the ingredients in those so I would be wary of using them in cleaners (they might stain).