Homemade household cleaners to save you money

June 22, 1:06 PMLexington Frugal Living ExaminerNatalie Stack

Several people had requested recipes for home made cleaners.  These are a great way to save money AND keep all the chemicals that are in commercial cleaners out of your house.  Most of the ingredients are fairly inexpensive and can be used in multiple cleaners.  Enjoy!

Fabric Softener

1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 cup white vinegar

1) Fill the washing machine with water

2) Add the baking soda and stir to dissolve, then add clothes.

3) After clothes rinse, add another rinse and add baking soda

Another way to soften clothes is to add 1/2 cup baking soda to the wash water or use 1 part soap flakes and 1 part borax in the water before you add the clothes.

I have not tired either of those methods myself.  I use my home made detergent and I add a half of a baby food jar of vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser and then fill the rest of the way with water.  Then I use dryer balls in the dryer.

All Purpose Cleaner

1 teaspoon borax

1/2 teaspoon washing soda

2 Tbsp lemon juice

In a spray bottle that will hold at least a pint of liquid combine all ingredients with 1 cup HOT water.  Shake well until all ingredients are mixed and dissolved.  To use, spray and wipe clean. 

All Purpose Cleaner #2 (What I use.)

1 part water 1 part white vinegar. 

Pour into spray bottle and shake to mix.  Use on counters, stoves, bathrooms sinks, tubs etc. 

If you do not like the smell of the vinegar you can add your favorite essential oil for a nicer scent. 

Dishwasher Soap

2 cups borax

2 cups washing soda

Mix both ingredients together and store in a plastic container with lid.  To use add 2 Tbsp to the soap compartment. If you have hard water add 1-1 1/2 cups white vinegar to rinse compartment to prevent hard water spots. 

Dishwashing Liquid  (This is one I plan on trying asap.  My hubby goes through dish soap like crazy!)

1/4 cup soap flakes

2 cups hot water

1/4 cup glycerin

1/2 teaspoon lemon essential oil

Combine soap flakes and water in a bowl and stir until dissolved.  Let cool until lukewarm.  Stir in glycerin and oil and let cool.  As it cools it will form a loose gel.  Stir mixture to loosen gel and pour into a squirt bottle.  (Old shampoo bottles work really well.)  To use use 3 tsp for a load of dishes.  (Warning:  This mixture does NOT produce a lot of soap bubbles but works wonderfully.)

Furniture Oil

1 cup olive or vegetable oil

1 tsp lemon essential oil

Mix well in a jar.  Apply to soft rag and wipe down all wood surfaces.  Shake well before next use to make sure ingredients are well combined. 

You can also use a 1/2 cup of lemon juice instead of the essential oil

Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:

1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar