Save Money on Household Cleaners

It’s spring and that means, it’s time for spring cleaning.  Anyone who knows me, knows I am not spending my spring and summer weekends cleaning all day.  But, like many people, when spring comes, I feel like cleaning.  We’ve already filled bags of items going to various charities and sorted boxes for storage and now it’s time to get down to business.  Dust bunnies beware.  Cluttered closets, you’re toast.  Dirty floors, I’m coming to get you.

Anyone that knows me also knows I won’t be spending a weeks salary on cleaning products.  It’s not just the money. After almost killing myself from fumes, I can’t tolerate any strong smelling chemical cleaners.    Thank goodness my sister in law introduced me to some wonderful homemade cleaning products; some of which I”ve already shared on The Frugal Buzz.

It seems like we all want more homemade cleaning products.  Who can blame us? They are inexpensive, work well and are non toxic.   You control how much you want to buy (make) and what goes into each product. Here are my favorites.

Window Cleaner- Mix 2 cups of warm water with 3 Tbsp.  of vinegar and 1/4 tsp liquid dish soap.

Bathroom Cleaner – Mix 2 cups warm water 1/2 cup vinegar, 2 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp tea tree oil, 1 Tbsp. liquid dish soap (added last)

Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Mix 1 cup vinegar with 1/2 cup baking soda and put in toilet bowl.  Let soak for 10 minutes and scrub with brush.

Floors - Mix 1 gallon hot water with 1 cup of vinegar

Laundry – Add 1/2 cup of Borax to wash cycle to boost cleanliness

Fabric softener - Add 1 to 2 cups of vinegar to rinse cycle.

Soft scrubbing cleaner – Mix 1 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup warm water and a few drops of tea tree oil together.

Granite Countertop Cleaner - Mix 2 cups warm water with 1 Tblsp liquid dish soap and 1 tsp.  lavendar oil or tea tree oil.

A few notes. I like the smell of  lavendar oil over the tea tree oil when there is a choice and make sure to try all cleaning products on a small area first to make sure there are no adverse reactions on countertops, floors etc. Always follow your manufacturers instructions when applicable.

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