Homemade Cleaners Are Hot

With the popularity of Pinterest, it seems like suddenly everyone is obsessed with the “make your own cleaners” movement. I don’t know if it’s whether people think they’re better for the environment, or if they want to save money, but I’m glad that the mysteries behind many popular commercial cleaning products have been revealed.

I’ve made and used all of the following cleaner recipes, except for the wood floor cleaner.

I’ll try it as soon as I get up the energy to bend over that far.

The quartet of products I couldn't clean without.

All-Purpose Cleaner

•  1 tsp.       Borax
• ½ tsp.      Washing Soda
• 2 Tbs.     Lemon Juice
• 1 c.         Hot Water

or

•  ½ tsp.      Baking Soda or Washing Soda
• 2 tsp.       Borax
• ½ tsp.      Liquid Soap or Detergent
• 2 c.         Hot Water

In a spray bottle, combine all ingredients; shake to mix.

Multi-Purpose Deep Cleaner

• 1 c.         Ammonia
• ½ c.         White Vinegar
• ¼ c.         Baking Soda
• 1 gal.       Warm Water

or

• 1 Tbs.     Ammonia
• 1 Tbs.     Liquid Laundry Detergent
• 2 c.         Warm Water

Mix well. Pour into a spray bottle to use.

Paste Scouring Cleanser

• ½ c.         Baking Soda
• Liquid Dish Detergent

Pour baking soda into a small bowl. Add dish detergent until the consistency is similar to Soft Scrub.

Vinegar Glass Cleaner

• 1 gal.       Warm Water
• ½ c.         White Vinegar
• ½ tsp.      Liquid Dish Detergent

or

• 2 c.         Water
• ½            White Vinegar
• ½ tsp.      Liquid Dish Soap

or

• 1 c.         Water
• 1 c.         Rubbing Alcohol
• 1 Tbs.     White Vinegar

Combine all ingredients; shake or stir to blend.

Ammonia Glass Cleaner

• ½ c.         Ammonia
• ½ c.         Isopropyl Alcohol
• ½ c.         Water

Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle; shake to blend.

Dishwasher Detergent

• 2 c.         Borax
• 1 c.         Washing Soda
• 1 c.         Baking Soda
• 4 pkgs.    Lemonade Flavor Kool-Aid (unsweetened) or 4 Tbs. Citric Acid

Mix all ingredients together. Use 1 teaspoon each in the prewash and wash compartments.

Dishwasher Rinse Aid

Fill the rinse aid compartment with white vinegar.

Laundry Stain Remover

• 1 c.         Hot Water
• ½ c.         Baking Soda
• ½ c.         Hydrogen Peroxide

or

• 2 qts.       Water
• ½ c.         Ammonia*
• 2 Tbs.     Laundry Detergent

Mix ingredients; store in spray bottle.  Spot treat stains and soak overnight.

*Do not use ammonia mix with bleach.

Cheap and Easy Fabric Softener

Use diluted hair conditioner in the rinse cycle.

or

Add white vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Furniture Polish

• 1 c.         Vegetable or Olive Oil
• ½ c.         Lemon Juice

Shake well to mix. Apply a small amount to furniture with a clean, soft cloth.

Wood Floor Cleaner

• ½ c.         White Vinegar
• ½ c.         Vegetable Oil

Mix well. Wipe on floors with a clean, soft cloth.

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Do you have a favorite homemade cleaner?