Frugal/ HEALTH/ HOME/ Homemaking/ Natural Products

Homemade Household Cleaners

These are CHEAP, biodegradable, and easy to make!  I love that the ingredients are not harsh, and I can put my girls to work without worrying about them coming into contact with harsh chemicals.

I’ve already posted on this basic cleaner, here, but here it is again:

Basic Cleaner

1 part vinegar

2 parts water

Put in spray bottle, shake.  I use this for almost everything…glass tables, counters, microwave, sinks, etc. (some times I do 1 part water to 1 part vinegar for more strength)

Scrub Cleaner

Baking Soda

Splash of vinegar

Good for grout, showers, tubs, ovens, stoves, sinks…

Disinfectant Cleaner

Hydrogen peroxide

Put into a dark colored spray bottle (light breaks it down) and use it to disinfect cutting boards, toilets, whatever..

Floor Cleaner

1/4 cup baking soda

1/4 cup vinegar

2 gallons hot water

1 tablespoon dish soap

 *Can add 1/2 cup borax to make it a disinfectant 



This post is linked to:
Thrifty Thursday @Tales From Bloggeritaville


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  • Amy Walker
    August 17, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    Oh this is great! I am so excited. I had had your blog up to copy ALL of your recipes and it got closed and I couldn’t remember the title or anything to help me find you again! And you’re right next to me on Tip Junkie Tuesday! Yay…I will bookmark this time! I’ve been using primarily vinegar and baking soda for a couple of years. It works great!
    amy
    http://www.thecheapandchoosy.com

  • Amber
    August 17, 2010 at 1:10 pm

    This is so great! I just tweeted it!

  • Adrienne Rogowski
    June 19, 2010 at 2:49 am

    Thanks for the recipes for household cleaners and soaps! Where did you buy your clear spray bottles? The only ones we can seem to find are enormous 32 oz. ones. I’d much rather something more like 22 or 16 oz. Suggestions?

  • becky @ becky ann designs
    May 21, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    I never thought about using hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant. I just use 1 basic cleaner with washing soda, borax, and lemon juice for cleaning pretty much every surface in our house from bathtubs, sinks, faucets, kitchen counter, stove, etc. http://beckyanndesigns.blogspot.com/2009/10/all-purpose-cleaner-recipe.html

  • Natalie
    April 7, 2010 at 8:17 am

    This is a great post! Thank you for sharing it. I need to try the hydrogen peroxide for disinfecting surfaces. I can’t believe how much better baking soda works as a scrub for my ceramic stovetop than anything else!!

  • Amy Bowman
    March 31, 2010 at 4:03 pm

    anonymous-1/2 cup-great questions, I fixed the post

  • Anonymous
    March 26, 2010 at 9:42 pm

    How much borax (Tablespoon/Cup/Etc.) do you add to the floor cleaner for a disinfectant? Thanks for the recipes. I can’t wait to give them a try.

  • Amy @ New Nostalgia
    March 21, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    @Laurie-I’m going to buy a jar for my baking soda like the ones you see at pizza parlors for parm cheese? open holes on top. I think I would use it more often..
    @anonymous-vodka! love it..I’ve needed to buy some to make homemade vanilla (I’ll post on it!!) so another use for it is great!
    @Erin-thanks for the comment Erin!
    @Sandi-we can always find another excuse, right?:) Actually, with Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays, I’m running out of them!!
    @Sherry-I just signed up for a community garden plot, so I will for sure check that book out! Thank you.

  • Sherry
    March 21, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    Great tips! I love Jerry Baker’s garden and pest control that gives you common household products that will kill pests, too.
    Win Rachael Ray bake ware at my blog.
    Thanks!
    Sherry

  • Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe
    March 19, 2010 at 12:55 am

    Great ideas.
    Dangitall…Now I have no excuse.

  • Erin
    March 8, 2010 at 4:31 am

    I clean my hardwood floors with vinegar and water. I love it! I have never thought to use hydrogen peroxide though. Great idea!

  • Anonymous
    March 5, 2010 at 2:40 pm

    This is great! Thanks for posting. I read on Dr. Mercola’s website that vodka in a spray bottle can be used to freshen up fabrics, haven’t tried it yet though!

  • Laurie Mitchell
    March 5, 2010 at 1:54 pm

    I use baking soda for everything. It’s amazing how versatile it is. And definitely the vinegar and peroxide too for disinfecting. If people only knew how easy of a transition it is I think they would have no problem changing. It costs so much less also!

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