It’s all about saving the planet and going organic these days and if you can save a little money in the process, even better. That’s why so many people are turning to DIY household cleaners and hack readily available in any kitchen or home. It is amazing how many products you can replace with DIY recipes that work as well or better than any store-bought variety. While all ingredients are everyday household items, many are surprisingly efficient at washing out a variety of stains, spots, and messes. Gather up some empty spray bottles and a few old rags and you’ll have the house clean for a fraction of the cost with these top ten DIY cleaners.
1. Sink Scrub- Lemon zest, ground cloves, and baking soda make a delightful organic cleanser that leaves any sink shiny and bright. Mix well and sprinkle inside the sink. Add a bit of dish soap and scrub into a lather. Cover the whole sink and rinse. Your sink will be clean, sanitary, and smell exquisite.
2. Glass Cleaner – It just isn’t necessary to spend money on a special cleaner to wash your windows and glass. You can get the same fresh, streak-free look with water, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol. Add in a few drops of essential oil for scent. Use a paper towel or soft cloth and your windows are sparkling for pennies.
3. Dish Soap – This is one of those cleaners that really makes you wonder. What are those words in the ingredients? DIY dish soap is a simple and effective way to wash your dishes without wondering what toxins you’re introducing to your family. Mix Borax, boiling water, and a grated bar of soap. Add some essential oils, bring to a boil and stir. When it cools, you will have a jar of homemade grease-cutting dish soap to rival any store brand.
4. Wood Polish – Beeswax and mineral make a fantastic wood polish for balustrades, tables, and molding. Beeswax has a number of surprising uses. It is also a wonderful lubricant for squeaky hinges and makes sticky drawers slide easier. Olive oil, flaxseed oil, and a bit of lemon juice also make a great wood polish. These homemade cleaners also make the wood smell divine for hours.
5. Brass Cleaner – Table salt and either white vinegar or lemon juice will have your brass utensils bright in no time. Warm soapy water works wonders on brass that is lacquered. Brass cleaning takes a bit of elbow grease no matter which type of cleaner you use. Using a DIY organic cleaner is gentler on you, the brass, and the environment.
6. Kitchen Degreaser – Plain old ammonia is the best degreaser for the kitchen. No need for expensive store brands. Mix half a cup of sudsy ammonia with a half-gallon of warm water and attack the stove and backsplash.
7. Water-Ring Eliminator- Leaving a glass sit on a surface for a long time can leave a circular ring stain from the condensation. An easy way to remove them is to mix toothpaste (non-gel) and baking soda. Use a soft cloth to gently buff the spot and rinse with warm water. This isn’t for wood grains, however.
8. DIY Goo-B-Gone – Sticky label residue is hard to get out. No need to purchase a special product when you can simply apply a little baking soda and coconut oil.
9. Bathroom Cleaner – Baking soda, castile soap, tea tree oil, and orange oil makes a perfect bathroom cleaner and soap scum remover.
10. Laundry Detergent – Powdered laundry soap can be made at home with a few ingredients. A small batch is still double a large store brand box of detergent and its only pennies on the dollar. Mix Borax, grated bar soap, and a little washing soda for a toxin-free laundry detergent that really works.
DIY cleaning isn’t as hard as it first seems. Most ingredients are simple things you already have at the house or can easily purchase for little to nothing. Thistlewindowcleaning is one company that encourages environmentally safe and financially responsible products. While a deep cleaning with professional products is sometimes necessary, DIY home recipes can keep your home just as clean and healthy.
