If you are anything like me, you may sometimes feel skeptical of cleaning products from the big box store. Not knowing what is in the products you use can be unnerving, and it can feel frustrating to buy a whole bottle of something you need for one chore. If only you could make your own DIY cleaning products at home!
I’ve got good news for you! DIY cleaning solutions can be as (even more!) effective as the chemical ones from the store and a lot more convenient. They can also be more eco-friendly and safe to use, as well!
Make an all-purpose cleaner with white vinegar…
Distilled white vinegar is acidic and has antimicrobial properties. For that reason, it is excellent for everything from prolonging the life of your fruit to all-purpose cleaning!
To make your all-purpose cleaner, add one part white vinegar to one part water. Add drops of lemon juice or essential oils to neutralize the vinegar smell!
…or make your all-purpose cleaner with vodka!
Believe it or not, vodka makes a great cleaning agent. If you have natural stone surfaces, vinegar is just about the worst thing you can use to clean! The acidity of the vinegar will etch your stone, which will ruin its visual appeal. If this is your story, try vodka instead!
Just mix 3/4 cups of 120-proof vodka with 1/4 cup of water. Then, add drops of lemon juice or essential oils to enjoy your preferred fragrance.
Dish Soap is an excellent degreaser
Don’t bother with off-the-shelf degreasers. Soap is already a degreaser, and dish soap is as good as any – plus, you probably already have some at home.
If cleaning something greasy, add dish soap directly to the affected area and scrub. If that isn’t enough, then it’s time to try something a little more robust…
Add baking soda to vinegar on more demanding jobs
Baking soda and vinegar together make one of the most effective DIY cleaning products there is. If you are cleaning something that needs a heavy-duty solution, try this:
Mix baking soda with just enough water to make a spreadable paste. Spread the paste on the affected area using a gloved hand or a putty spatula. Spray a few spritzes of diluted white vinegar onto the paste – it will begin to fizz. Allow the solution to sit for a while; the tougher the job, the longer I recommend you leave it.
When ready, scrub the affected area with a sponge or stiff-bristled brush!
Old shirts are perfect for cleaning rags
Paper towels are so wasteful! Instead of using them for cleaning, cut up your old t-shirts. These are perfect for most cleaning, and if you were going to throw them out anyway, this is a handy way to upcycle. Just throw them in with the laundry when you’re done!
Love these ideas; thank you!