Everybody loves the look and smell of a clean house. But few of us love using (or smelling) the chemicals that actually get us there. I mean, who wants to clean their house in a HAZMAT suit? If you’re into healthier cleaning options — and saving yourself some money — here are 12 different ways to make safer, cheaper cleaning products yourself.
1. DIY Grout Cleaner
Water and baking soda are the only things you need to get your grout sparkling again.
2. For the Rest of the Bathroom
You can mix your own cleaners for your toilet, tub, sink and shower with simple ingredients such as borax, baking soda, castile soap, and vinegar. Here’s how.
3. Make Silver Sparkle Again
Got some tarnished silver utensils or serving pieces? Don’t spend money on silver polish. Make your own cleaner with stuff you probably already have: foil, baking soda, sea salt, and vinegar.
4. Kitchen De-Greaser
With vinegar and baking soda and/or plain vegetable oil, you can remove the grease from surfaces in your kitchen.
5. Fabric Softener
Hot water, hair conditioner (yep!), and vinegar is all you need to mix your very own liquid fabric softener. And you get to choose the scent!
6. Furniture Polish
Take care of your wood furniture with homemade wood polish. It’s made from grapeseed or olive oil, water, and lemon.
7. Carpet Deep Cleaner
If you have a carpet steaming machine, you can make your own cleaning solution for it using salt, baking soda, vinegar, and plain old borax.
8. All-Purpose Household Cleaner
It’ll only take a minute to make this homemade cleaner you can use on just about anything! It’s just washing soda, borax, castile soap, and essential oil (optional).
9. Freshen the Air
Air freshening sprays smell great, but do you know what you’re really breathing? Make your own and you will! Here’s how.
10. Glass Cleaner
With a little rubbing alcohol, ammonia, and water, you can make your own glass and mirror cleaner.
11. Oven Cleaner
If you cook, your oven is gonna get dirty and greasy. But oven cleaners are notoriously stinky! Make your own with dish liquid and borax.
12. Laundry Powder
Want clean, fresh laundry on the cheap, and one that is safer than chemical-filled detergents? Try the recipe on this page for your own powdered laundry detergent. All you need is a bar of soap (or soap flakes), borax, and washing soda.
