Thrifty and eco-conscious people are always on the lookout for ways to save money without harming the environment. Here are several DIY products you can make at home to clean your house, and they don’t use harsh chemicals like bleach.
For your surfaces, white vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent. By combining it with water and the scent of your choice, you can have your counters clean in no time! You can add fruit peels, like lemon, lime, and orange, and herbs of your choice to liven the smell. Essential oils also work very well if you have them on hand! There are many recipes using these ingredients online, so try a few out before deciding which works best. Straight white vinegar in your front-facing washing machine can also dispel that moldy smell they tend to have.
Baking soda is another great option. Baking soda deodorizes the surrounding environment, so if you have a particularly smelly mess, this is the go-to. Mix a few tablespoons with water and spray the area down, then scrub or wipe it up with a paper towel. By combining different ratios of baking soda and water, you can clean other things. Straight baking soda can help you deodorize your fridge and sink while making a paste that is perfect for stainless steel.
Mixing water with vinegar and rubbing alcohol is great for your windows and mirrors. Apply it to a cloth and rub them down! To get a streak-free shine, make sure the sun isn’t directly hitting the surface, or it can dry too quickly. Many well-known cleaning blogs will give you optimal ratios for each type of surface!
Adding a little dish soap and scent to your window and mirror cleaner makes the perfect cleaner for any floor surface. Whether you have hardwood or vinyl, you can make a big batch and mop away those unseemly patches of grime. This leaves a gorgeous shine once it dries and doesn’t need to be mopped up at the end!
Borax can up your DIY game by making toilet cleaners and laundry detergent at home. Borax is a mineral and safe for the environment. Combining it with white vinegar makes a great toilet cleaner while mixing it with washing soda and soap bar flakes are perfect for laundry. Find a recipe you like, and you’ll never buy either cleaning product again!
Making your own cleaning products not only helps the environment and saves money, but it also gives you a unique sense of pride when the job is done! Remember to use pet-safe essential oils if you have furry friends! Also, remember never to mix baking soda and vinegar unless you want a frothy mess on your hands, and double-check that ingredients aren’t going to cause toxic gasses in your house. Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide make peracetic acid, and that is not safe!
