How to Make Household Cleaners

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (1 Ratings)

Before going to the store to buy expensive cleaning products, consider making your own at home. Save time and money by using ingredients in your cupboards to make homemade household cleaners. Mix large batches and store them for future use.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • 2 tsp. borax
  • Pine essential oil
  • Cedar essential oil
  • Ammonia
  • 1 tsp. laundry detergent
  • 1 pint rubbing alcohol
  • Baking soda
  • 1/2 c. cornstarch
  • 1 tblsp. cloves
  • 5 bay leaves
  • 3 drops dish soap
  • White vinegar
  • 1 c. salt
  • 1/4 c. cream of tartar
  • 2 tblsp. olive oil
  • Empty coffee can
  • Empty jugs
  • Empty spray bottles

Step1
Mix a pine smelling bathroom or kitchen cleaner. Add 2 teaspoons borax, 8 drops of pine oil and 4 drops of cedar essential oil to 2 cups water. Store mix in an empty jug or spray bottle and use to clean sinks or countertops.
Step2
Clean your carpets with a homemade cleaner. Mix 2 cups baking soda, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1 tablespoon cloves and 5 crushed bay leaves. Store the mixture in a coffee can. Sprinkle on carpet. Let stand for a few hours and vacuum.
Step3
Mix a homemade jewelry cleaner. Add 2 or 3 drops of dish soap to three parts ammonia and 1 part water. Soak your jewelry for 2 minutes and rinse with water. Cleaner is not recommended for use on pearls.
Step4
Make hard wood floor cleaner. Add 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar to 1 gallon warm water. Mop hardwood floor with solution and rinse with water.
Step5
Clean your drains. Mix 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup salt and 1/4 cup cream of tartar. Dissolve 1 cup of the mixture in 1 cup of hot water and pour in drain. After bubbling stops rinse drain with hot water. Save leftover mix in small can or bottle.
Step6
Polish your furniture with an earth friendly cleaner you make with ingredients from your cupboard. Mix 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 4 cups water. Put mixture in spray bottle. Spray on furniture and wipe with cloth.
Step7
Make an all-purpose home cleaner using 1/2 cup ammonia, 2 teaspoon laundry detergent, 1 pint rubbing alcohol and 2 quarts of water. Mix all together and store in large bottle or spray bottle for easy clean up.

Tips & Warnings

  • Do not mix bleach and ammonia, their vapors can cause death!
  • Don't add or substitute home cleaning ingredients, as certain chemical reactions can be dangerous!

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eHow Article:  How to Make Household Cleaners

eHow Home & Garden Editor

eHow Home & Garden Editor

Category: Home & Garden

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