As my Homesteader journey has progressed, I've learned that you can make your own cleaning products. I'm sure most of you already know this, but we all need to keep in mind this is ME we're talking about. I was HIGH MAINTENANCE. I bought everything. I defined consumerism. Now I choose to defy.
How to Peel an Onion had some great suggestions on natural/green/cheap cleaning products you can make at home. Yes, you can buy "green" products, but they're even more expensive than the regular ones. And rarely do you get a coupon for them. And, we're trying to produce more...consume less...remember?
If you have a little one, you should definitely think about what your little guy/gal is exposed to in the home. I wish I had known more about this stuff when Hayden was little. Lord only knows how much Windex he licked off the glass door...
Here's a few I plan to try very soon:
Dishwasher Detergent
I use two tablespoons of this mixture per load, but it may vary depending on dishwashers, water quality, etc.
1 part Borax
1 part baking or washing soda
Mix well. I make about two cups at a time (1 cup Borax, 1 cup baking soda) and keep it in a glass jar by the sink with a tablespoon scoop.
All-purpose Cleaner
You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to cut through the strong vinegar smell, but I find that it just takes a few minutes for it to dissipate.
1 part distilled white vinegar
1 part water
Mix well. I make 2 cups and pour into a spray bottle. Shake the bottle before spraying.
Stain Remover & Disinfectant – Lemon juice
I rub 1/2 lemon over my cutting boards to disinfect them after use. Lemon juice is great for removing stains and disinfecting at the same time – combine with baking soda to make an abrasive paste that will clean, remove stains and disinfect (and make your kitchen smell nice!).
Abrasive Cleaner – Baking soda or salt
For those dirty situations that require a bit more help than an all-purpose cleaner, you can use baking soda or salt as abrasives to really get the dirty out.
Here's a great link to info on homemade laundry detergent. My friend Shelly is testing out a recipe right now, so I hope to have a post on her findings very soon!
Do you use homemade cleaners? Have a recipe I didn't mention here? Share with me! If you love me, you'll LEAVE A COMMENT! I love comments!
