Make your own highly effective cleaning products for pennies to save on dr
Next time you need cleaning supplies, take a trip to the pantry, not the store. You already have the regular basic household items required to mix every type of cleaner that you need to keep the place clean and germ-free. recipes? Need recipes? Well, that must be your lucky day, because I have the recipes!
Window, glass and mirror cleaner
In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of rubbing isopropyl alcohol, 2 teaspoons of liquid dishwashing detergent, and 2 cups of water. Use it as you would any commercial window cleaner.
Ceramic floor cleaner
Mix 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 gallon of hot water together. Mop ceramic tile and all types of vinyl floors with this solution. No need to rinse. Warning: Never use vinegar on hardwood, granite, or natural stone products. Over time, the sealant will wear down and wear off.
Wood floor cleaner
Mix 1 part clear alcohol (isopropyl rubbing alcohol, denatured alcohol, gin, and regular vodka), 4 parts distilled water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid such as Blue Dawn. Pour all ingredients into a small bucket or bowl. Mix well and pour the mixture into a spray bottle of your choice using a funnel. Use a microfiber mop or sponge mop (make sure it’s barely damp) to clean the floor, working in small areas. Spray, scrub, wipe dry. No need to rinse. The Secret to Preserving Beautiful Wood and Wood Floors: Never allow any liquid to remain on wood or laminate floors for any extended period of time.
Heavy duty floor cleaner
Mix 3/4 cup of regular household ammonia and 1 gallon of warm water. Use on heavily soiled non-wood floors. No need to rinse.
Bathtub and shower cleaner
Pour ½ cup of Dawn dishwashing liquid into a spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with plain white vinegar. Spray it on the sink and its attachments and scrub. Or in really tough situations, leave it on for a few hours, then scrub as needed. Wash it well with water. Cleans better than any commercial product for even the toughest bathtub, shower, and lid challenges.
Furniture polish
Mix two parts olive (or vegetable) oil with one part lemon juice (or white vinegar) in a glass bowl. Seal tightly. Shake well before use in moderation, applying a thin layer with a soft cloth and buffing well.
Glass cleaner
Pour 1 cup of crushed ice into a glass coffee pot (put the ice cubes in a plastic bag first and hit them on the floor or other hard surface) and add 2 tablespoons of table salt. Hold the carafe by the handle and rotate it vigorously until you see all the burnt coffee and the various spots vanish. Empty it out and rinse it well. This method turns even the toughest pot into a sparkling clean pot. Provides a little exercise, too.
Jewelry cleaner
Make a 50/50 mixture of household ammonia and water. Soak the jewelry, then brush and rinse it completely. Warning: Do not use this on jewelry containing opals, pearls, or any other soft stone.
Warning: While none of these formulas contain liquid chlorine bleach, if you come up with some of your own, make sure you don’t mix chlorine bleach with any other product. You can produce deadly chlorine gas. Always label the products you create, and keep them tightly covered and out of reach of children and pets.
And there is one more thing. Don’t forget to keep track of all the money you don’t spend on expensive commercial cleaning products. It will be a lot.
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived, complete with links and resources for all of her recommended products and services. Mary calls for questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, Ask Mary. This column will answer questions of general interest, but messages cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, an economic living blog, and the author of Debt-Proof Living.
