A few of my FAVORITE homemade cleaning recipes

There a few cleaners that I like that smell naturally good when you clean.   About a year ago I decided that I was going to make ALL my home cleaners. I cleaned out the cabinet underneath the kitchen sink of ALL the cleaners I used and was ready to toss them out.  My husband knowing me and how I get with projects like such and tells me that maybe I should keep the cleaners in the garage.  After trying to be shocked by what he was implying I gave in and agreed that would be a good idea. J  I then went out and got the supplies needed to make the cleaners.

I have since kept four of the cleaners I initially made and ditched a few of the others.  I kept the All Purpose Cleaner, Degreaser, Window Cleaner and Carpet Deodorizer.  And if you were wondering, YES I did end up going into the bag of cleaners I was going to toss out! WHATEVER!!!

I can’t tell you how much I LOVE these cleaners and how they smell.  Not like chemicals and fresh and clean.  Don’t get me wrong I still like to bleach my bathroom but for the rest of the house I use the homemade cleaners.

I hope you enjoy the cleaners as much as I do.

 

For supplies you will need:

•  Spray bottles, I purchased mine at the Dollar Store and I would by a couple extra as they are cheaply made. You can also reuse bottles from old cleaners that may be sturdier.

• Essential Oils – bought at the Vitamin Shoppe or GNC any health store should have them.

• Baking soda, vinegar, borax, washing soda, rubbing alcohol, mild dish soap, castile soap  & cornstarch – all found at Wal-Mart.

 Side Notes:

• I use more drops of Lavender and Lemon in the recipes.  I just like it a little stronger smelling. J You can add more or less for your needs.

• Degreaser works really well.  However, when it dries it leaves streaks. You have to use something with Vinegar to cut through it. I typically will degrease then after it dried use the window cleaner on my stovetop and anything else I will use all purpose cleaner after.
 
• Tea Tree oil is VERY STRONG smelling.  I do use both drops in the all purpose cleaner.  Once it is mixed in it is not as strong.

All Purpose Cleaner

1 Tbsp. Borax

2 Tbsp. White vinegar (distilled)

½ tsp Washing Soda

Hot Water

A few drops of a mild dish detergent (dawn, joy whatever you have works)

5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil

5 drops of Lemon Essential Oil

2 drops of Tea Tree Oil

In a 16 oz. spray bottle add vinegar, borax and half hot water.

Swish around until borax has dissolved.

Add the drops of dish detergent and

fill the rest of the bottle with hot water.

 Add essential oils and SHAKE!

 

Window Cleaner

¼ cup Rubbing alcohol

¼ cup Vinegar

1 Tsp. Cornstarch

2 cups Warm Water 

In a 16 oz. spray bottle add rubbing alcohol, vinegar

and cornstarch. Mix Well.

Then add the warm water.

 

YES, I AM SURE ABOUT THE CORNSTARCH!!!! In all the research I have done this recipe works the ABSOLUTE BEST!!!! It is streak free and makes my windows and especially the mirrors shine and sparkle.

Just be sure to SHAKE the bottle before using!

 

Kitchen Degreaser

2 cups Warm Water

¼ cup Castile Soap

10 drops Essential Oil (Lemon)

In a 16 oz. spray bottle add water, soap and Essential Oil.

Mix and done!

**Remember follow with either window cleaner or all purpose cleaner to cut through streaks.**

 

Carpet Deodorizer

2 cups Baking soda

20 drops Essential Oil 

Really there is nothing to this one. I just mix and shake!

I use an old parmesan cheese shaker for this.

 

Have fun and I’d love to hear if they work for you. You might actually enjoy cleaning a little bit more!