How to Make Homemade Cleaning Supplies

There's no denying that everything costs more these days . An easy way to save money is to replace your commercially prepared cleaners with eco-friendly and economical homemade alternatives. Cleaners made at home cost about 1/4 of their commercial counterparts--and that includes the cost of the reusable bottle and the essential oils you can add for fragrance. With a few simple ingredients, you can keep your home clean for less and do something good for the environment as well.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Vinegar (white distilled)
• Borax or washing soda
• Liquid soap
• Lemon juice
• Tea tree oil
• Essential oils
• Olive oil
• Spray bottles
• Glass jars (with lids)

Instructions

1. To make an all-purpose cleaner, mix 2 tbsp. of vinegar with 1 tsp. of borax or washing powder in a glass measuring cup,. Add 2 cups of hot water and stir until the powder has dissolved completely. Add 1/8 cup of liquid soap (approximately one good squirt) and allow the mixture to cool. Add 15 drops of your favorite essential oil and pour into a spray bottle. To use, spray on a surface and wipe dry.

2. For window cleaner, combine 2 cups of water, ¼ cup of vinegar and ¼ cup of liquid soap in a clean spray bottle. The soap is important to this formula, as it removes the wax residue that may have built up from commercial cleaners you have used in the past. If the smell is bothersome, use straight lemon juice instead. To use, spray on a surface and wipe dry.

3. For drain cleaner, pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow the baking soda with 1 cup of vinegar. The mixture will bubble and fizz. Wait 5 minutes. Flush the drain with a teapot full of boiling water, with 1 tbsp. of salt mixed in. If the drain remains clogged, repeat the procedure.

4. To make toilet-bowl cleaner, combine Borax and lemon juice in a glass jar to make a thin paste. With gloved hands, rub the paste onto the toilet bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for 2 hours. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush to rinse.

5. For furniture polish, combine ½ cup of olive oil with ¼ cup lemon juice and 1 tbsp. vinegar in a glass jar. Shake the jar to mix. To use, dab a soft cloth into the solution and wipe down wooden surfaces. Store the unused portion in the refrigerator indefinitely.

6. For disinfectant, combine one squirt of liquid soap, 2 cups of water, 20 drops of tea tree oil and 10 drops of the essential oil of your choice in a spray bottle. Shake to mix. Spray it on surfaces to disinfect.

Tips & Warnings

• Homemade cleaners are not as strong as most commercial ones, so you will have to be a bit more patient. For tough stains, leave the mixtures in place a bit longer and let the ingredients work for you.

• All cleaners have the potential to cause skin irritation, so it's best to wear gloves when using them. Be particularly careful of Borax or washing powder: It is toxic if ingested. Keep all cleaning products out of the reach of children.

Resources

• Natural Cleaning Products
• Homemade Cleaning Supplies