Homemade Household Cleaners

Like so many of you I have had it with spending so much money on Household Cleaners.  I also feel that there are enough chemicals in our every day environments without adding more to every surface of my house.  That being said I started doing some research to find different reciepes for Homemade Household Cleaners.  There's alot to love about making your own Household Cleaners, for one the money you save is always great and since your using all natural ingredients there's the benifet of a healthier house without lossing any of the cleaning power. 

Until recently I had always used store bought cleaners, and have tried many different products.  It seems like they are always coming up with something new, something that works better, or lasts longer.  Really though, What are we sacrificing?  It is my belief that our children are suffering for all the chemicals we use, literaly on everything.  So I decided to make a change.  For who else can make a difference in the lives of your children better than you yourself. 


Below is a list of different Homemade Cleaners I use.  I will update with new cleaner reciepes as I continue on this journey of removing chemicals from my household.



Homemade Solution for Steam Cleaners:

• 5 cups White Vinegar
• 4 tsp Dish Washing Soap
• a few drops of your favorite scented Essintial Oils (optional)

Mix ingredients in an old cleaner or milk jug for storage.  This is just the cleaning solution, you will need to add this to water just like you would with store bought carpet cleaning solutions.  Use according to manufacture's instructions.
Note: Test a small hidden area of your carpeting before trying on the whole floor.  As with all carpet cleaners you want to test that your carpet is colorfast, and that it will not be damaged by cleaners.



Homemade Carpet Spot Cleaner

Use equal parts White Vinegar and Baking Soda, these two products fizz when mixed together.  Mix into a paste and scrub into spot using a scrub brush or old toothbrush.  Let sit on stain until dry.  Vacuum up the baking soda.  Some stains may need to be treated twice.  Note: I use an old peanut butter jar so I can store extra mixture for later use.



Homemade Fabric Refresher (Febreeze)

You will need a bottle of Fabric Softener.  Any brand or scent is fine, just make sure it has the ingredient Cationic or Ionic (this is the active ingredient that romoves smells).  You will only be using a small amount so I suggest just getting a small bottle.

Use 1 tsp Fabric Softener to 16oz Water.  Put in spray bottle, Shake well.  You can use this on all your fabric surfaces.  It not only removes smells from your furniture but also leaves a pleasing aroma in the air.



Homemade Glass Cleaner

• 2 cups White Vinegar
• 2 cups Rubbing Alcohol
• 4 drops Dish Washing Soap (optional)

Add ingredients in a Spray bottle (I just used a old Glass Cleaner bottle).  Use this on all your glass surfaces.  Fast dry.  Can use on tile as well.  You can also use this to wipe up pet urine on tile or linoleum.  DO NOT USE ON CARPET, the Alcohol may cause color loss.



Homemade Soap Scum Remover

• Baking Soda
• Scruby rag/sponge

Wet shower and tub.  Sprinkle Baking Soda, Scrub and Rinse.  This should work in most cases.  If you have hard water or stubborn stains try this....

• 1/2 cup Baking Soda
• 1/2 cup Borax
• 1/2 cup Salt

Follow the directions above.  Use a toothbrush to get into small corners and grooves. 



Homemade Mildew Remover / Tile Cleaner

Mix equal parts White Vinegar and Water in Spray bottle.  Spray on area with mildew (Shower curtain, Tiles, Bathroom Fixtures, etc.)  Let sit for just a few minutes and wipe of with clean wet rag.  For tougher mildew spots use 3/4 part White Vinegar to 1/4 part Water.



Homemade Drain Cleaner

• 1 box Baking Soda
• White Vinegar

Pour 1/2 box of Baking Soda down drain.  Then Pour White Vinegar down drain.  It should be foaming well.  For exteremly clogged drains, wait till it stops foaming then add other 1/2 box Baking Soda and more Vinegar.  Let sit as long as possible (at least an hour but longer is better).  Rinse with HOT water.



Homemade Refrigerator Cleaner

• 2 cups Hot Water
• 2 cups White Vinegar
• 2 drops Dish Washing Soap

Mix together in large bucket (I use an old gallon Ice Cream bucket)  wipe down surfaces with rag.  I use a mircofiber rag.  These work great for catching little food debry.



Rags

I prefer to use store bought microfiber rags as they catch more dust and debry easily.  They also have a fairly scrubby texture to them so work well for scrubing.  However you can use old towels and/or shirts cut into manageable strips as cleaning rags.



Bathroom Floors/Cobwebs

In the past I used a Swiffer with either wet or dry cloths to clean my bathroom floor or to collect cobwebs around the house.  However I have found that it works just as well and costs a ton less to use Homemade Rags cut to fit my Swiffer wand and my own Homemade Cleaners. 

For Cobwebs just attach a rag to the end of your Swiffer wand (you can also drap a rag over the end of a broom).  Spritz with Vinegar (you can use Water as well, I like the Vinegar for a little extra freshening of the air).  Then simply wipe away your cobwebs.

For Bathroom Floors once again attach a rag to the end of your Swiffer wand.  Spray floor with your regular bathroom cleaner or your Homemade Tile/Linoleum Cleaner.  Wipe up.



I hope you enjoy these Homemade Household Cleaning Solutions and remember to check back as I will be adding more formulas as I continue to switch my household cleaning from store bought to homemade cleaning products.