Store-bought cleaning products can be expensive and contain a number of potentially dangerous chemicals. But just because you want a clean house doesn’t mean you’re stuck with these pricey, questionable items. Here are 15 common cleaners you can make at home for less money and more peace of mind! DIY cleaning products may be the road less traveled for most folks, but when you’re on a budget and concerned about the health of your family, putting in a little more effort is more than worth it!
Glass Cleaner
Instead of buying Windex, make your own glass cleaner by combining 2 cups of water, ½ cup of white vinegar, ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol (70% concentration), and 1 to 2 drops of orange essential oil for fragrance.
Store in a spray bottle for convenient use. Now, Windex is not a really a product that will break the bank, but think about how many bottles you use per year—those small purchases can seriously add up!
Heavy-Duty Scrubs
Skip the noxious smelling Scrubbing Bubbles and make your own heavy-duty cleaner by dipping half a lemon into borax.
Scrub your bathtub, sink, and similar surfaces with it. Just be careful to not use this product on granite or marble.
Grease Cleaner
Grease can be difficult to remove from your oven hood or grill, so instead of turning to expensive products, make your own.
Mix ½ cup of sudsy ammonia into one gallon of water. Dip a sponge into the solution and scrub away! Rinse clean with water.
All-Purpose Cleaners
Lysol or 409 are great, but they are a little overpriced. If you want to save some money, make your own all-purpose cleaner by adding 4 tablespoons of baking soda to one quart of warm water.
Pour the solution onto a clean sponge and wipe away! Works like a charm.
Stain Remover
If you don’t want to purchase pricey OxyClean to get that wine stain out of your shirt, make your own. Simply add 1 cup of powdered dishwasher detergent and 1 cup liquid chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of hot water.
Soak the garment in the solution for 20 minutes, then wash as usual. The stain will be removed!
White Ring Remover
If you get a white ring on your cherry coffee table, you don’t have to turn to harsh chemicals to get it out. Mix one part white, non-gel toothpaste to one part baking soda.
Dampen a cloth with water, add the toothpaste mixture, and scrub.
Dishwasher Cleaner
Removing stains from your dishwasher is easier and cheaper than you think! Simply pour ¼ cup of lemon or orange drink powder into the detergent cup and run a regular cycle. Repeat if necessary.
Brass Cleaner
To clean your drawer pulls and bathroom fixtures, you can skip the Brasso and make your own. Dip a cloth in white vinegar or lemon juice, then sprinkle table salt on the cloth and gently rub the brass surface. Dry with a clean cloth.
Marble Cleaner
You need something gentle enough to not damage your countertops, but the store-bought stuff doesn’t come cheap. To save some money, add a drop or two of mild dishwashing liquid to two cups of warm water.
Sponge over the marble and dry with a cloth immediately. Your marble has never looked better!
Tile Cleaner
Ditch the Comet for a cheaper, healthier, DIY tile cleaner. Combine ½ cup of baking soda with liquid soap until the mixture resembles the consistency of frosting. For fragrance, add 5 to 10 drops of an essential oil.
Dip a sponge into the mixture, scrub, and rinse. Your tile will look clean, and the room will smell nice!
Oven Cleaner
Avoid introducing dangerous chemicals to your oven and save a little cash by adding 1 tablespoon of dish liquid and 1 teaspoon of borax to 2 cups of hot water. Pour ingredients into a spray bottle, spray the surface, and wipe with a cloth.
Dust Cleaner
Why buy a pricey, chemical-laden dust cleaner when you can make your own for a fraction of the cost? Combine 10 drops of lemon oil, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and a few drops of olive oil. Dip a soft cloth into the mixture and wipe any dusty surfaces.
Laundry Detergent
The fragrances in many laundry detergents can cause allergies and migraines. Why pay for something that makes you sick? Instead, combine ½ cup of soap flakes, ½ cup of borax, and ½ cup of washing soda. Use ½ to 1 tablespoon of the mixture per load.
Bleach
Adding bleach to your laundry cycle can end in a disaster. Luckily, there is a gentler, cheaper alternative: lemon juice. Simply add 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the rinse cycle. Your whites will be whiter than ever!
Dish Soap
Instead of buying Dawn or Ajax, you can easily make your own dish soap for hand washing. Combine 1 cup of liquid castile soap, 3 tablespoons of water, and a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil. Use as normal.