I have compiled a general list of cleaning products and there uses around the home and the approximate cost of each product.

Filtered or Distilled Water – the minerals in tap water can build up over time depositing lime and calicium to surfaces, so I recommend using filtered or distilled water in all you cleaning solutions!

Baking Soda – an excellent light abrasive, can be used in palce of scouring powder to clean everything from fine china to dirty pots. Removes Odor in carpets, fabrics, the fridge, or freezer, and drains.  Drain cleaner.  Laundry detergent booster.

Borax – Add to laundry to brighten colors, and boost the power of your detergent.  Excellent grease remover. Hand cleaner for your handyman(woman) mix into paste with dish detergent, and scrub hands together, removes grease, grime and even brightens fingernails.  Clean carpets. Water softener. Disinfectant. Cleans painted or papered walls.

Castile Soap – cleans without leaving a soapy buildup.  Use anywhere you would use soap.  Makes great shampoo’s and body washes. Gentle enough for baby.  Can be used to clean baby’s cloths too.

Club Soda – Spot remover, especially for red wine.  The carbonized liquid simpy lifts stains out.

Corn Starch – Removes oily or greasy spots from clothing or carpets. Cleans windows. Polishes furniture. Make your own spray starch for ironing clothes. Gently clean and deoderize cashmier sweaters with a mix of cornstarch and baking soda.

Distilled White Vinegar – All purpose cleaner, for kitchen, bath, windows, carpeting and hardwood floors.  Add to laundry to sweeten musty clothing. Clean drains and leave them smelling fresh. Grease remover. Deodorizer. Note* apple cider vinegar works equally as well, but can stain.

Hair Spray – The only thing I use for ink stains.  A small can at work, makes quick removal of ink on clothing a breeze.

Hydrogen Peroxide – Disinfectant. Cleans mold and mildew. Bathroom and Kitchen cleaner.

Isopropyl or Rubbing Alcohol – Disinfectant. Cleans windows, mirrors, TV or moniter screens and eyeglasses to a streakfree shine.

Kosher Salt – The abrasive action of kosher salt, is excellent for scrubbing tough stuck on grime. Add to baking soda to make a great scouring powder. Mix into a paste with lemon juice, put on stained white clothing and allow to dry in the direct sun, clothes come out sparkling white and stain free.

Lemons or Lemon Juice – Stain Remover, includeing sweat. Cleans glass. Polish brass and copper. Make drains sweet smelling. The oil from the rind is an effective furniture polish/oil. Great all purpose cleaner for kitchen and bath. And will lighten hair naturally with a little sunshine.

Washing Soda – All purpose general cleaner, cuts grease, removes stains, works in bath and kitchen. Great for removing bath tub ring. Removes odors.

Cost breakdown for these household cleaners

Filtered or Distilled Water >$1.00 per gallon at most grocery stores

Baking Soda > $1.00 to $1.50 per box in the baking isle at grocery stores.  Cheeper still by buying large packages at wholesale markets like Sam’s Club and Costco.

Borax >$2.00 a box in the laundry soap isle at grocery stores.

Castile soap >$3.00 to $8.00 a bottle depending on where you shop.  Look for it in the soap isle of drug stores or online.

Club Soda >$2.00 in the soft drink isle of the grocery store.

Corn Starch >$2.00 per pound box find it in the baking isles of your gocery store.

Distilled White Vinegar >$2.00 to $5.00 per gallon bottle depending on where you shop and the brand. Look for it in the condiment isle or canning isle.

Hair Spray >$.99 will get you a travel size can. Keep in in your purse, desk or under the sink for emergency clean ups.

Hydrogen Peroxide >$1.00 a bottle at your drug store in the first aid isle.

Isopropyl or Rubbing Alcohol >$2.00 a bottle.  Look for at least 90% alcohol. Find it in the first aid isle of the drug store.

Kosher Salt >$2.00 a box in the baking isle of the groccery store.

Lemons or lemon juice >price depends on the season 4 for $1.00 up to $1.50 per pound.  I don’t recommend bottled lemon juice, always best to use the real fruit. In your produce section.

Washing Soda >$2.00 to $4.00 find it online.

Please see specific cleaning application pages for more information on using these products. You may also want to view the msds safety sheets on many of the common household cleaners that you use, this will give you a better idea of the types and dangers of chemicals associated with these products.

Here are a few of my favorite natural homemade cleaners that are completely Non-Toxic:

All Purpose Cleaner

In a Spray bottle mix  1 part Distilled White Vinegar with 2 parts filtered water, and 2 to 3 drops Castile Soap.

All Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner

In spray bottle mix 1 cup Hydrogen Peroxide with 10-20 drops Tea Tree Oil, 2 tablespoons Castile Soap, and 2 cups filtered water.

Carpet Cleaner

Mix 1 cup each Baking Soda, Kosher Salt, Distilled White Vinegar. Mix with 2 cups boiling filtered water to dissolve.  Add Filtered water to make 1 gallon Cleaner.

Carpet Deodorizer

Add a few drops of your dried lavender or chamomile flowers or 1 vanilla bean  to Baking Soda allow to set overnight to 24 hours, Strain out baking soda, then sprinkle scented baking soda over carpet, let set 30 to 45 minutes then vacuum as usual

Drain Cleaner

Place 1/4 cup Baking Soda into drain, add 1 cup vinegar, stopper drain tightly, then flush with boiling water.

Drain Deodorizer

Weekly add 2 tablespoons Baking Soda and the juice of 1 lemon to drains.

Fabric Freshener-Deodorizer

In spray bottle mix 1/4 cup Baking Soda, 1 tablespoon Distilled White Vinegar, 5 to 20 drops essential oil (fragrance of your choice) to 2 cups filtered water.

Grout Cleaner

Mix equal parts Kosher Salt and Baking Soda add lemon juice to make a paste.  Use to scrub grout.

Laminate Floor Cleaner

In Spray bottle mix 1 part distilled white vinegar and 2 parts filtered water if desired add 2-3 drops liquid Castile Soap. (if soap is added, you will need to rinse floor)

Laundry Booster

Add 1/4 cup borax to laundry, wash as usual

Mold and Mildew Cleaner

In spray bottle mix 1/2 cup Hydrogen Peroxide with 1 cup filtered water.

Scouring Powder

Mix equal parts Baking Soda and Kosher Salt.

Stain Remover

Mix equal parts Kosher Salt and Borax, add Distilled White Vinegar to make paste, rub into stain, allow to dry then clean as usual.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Add 1/4 cup Baking soda and 1 cup vinegar to toilet bowl. Brush bowl as usual after cleaner finishes foaming.

Upholstery Cleaner

Mix equal parts Castile Soap and Filtered Water.  Mix until very foamy.  Sponge foam onto upholstery. Rinse with clear water and blot dry.  Allow to air dry completely.

Water Softener

Add 1/4 cup Baking Soda to the laundry, or bath tub to soften water.

Window Cleaner

In a spray bottle mix equal parts Distilled White Vingar and filtered water.

View our other homemade cleaning products or visit our homepage for more information on homemade cleaners.

Here are a few of my favorite Natural Homemade Cleaners:

All Purpose Cleaner

In a Spray bottle mix  1 part Distilled White Vinegar with 2 parts filtered water, and 2 to 3 drops Castile Soap.

All Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner

In spray bottle mix 1 cup Isopropyl or Rubbing Alcohol 90% with 10-20 drops Tea Tree Oil, 2 tablespoons Castile Soap, and 2 cups filtered water.

Carpet Cleaner

Mix 1 cup each Borax, Kosher Salt, Distilled White Vinegar. Mix with 2 cups boiling filtered water to dissolve.  Add Filtered water to make 1 gallon Cleaner.

Carpet Deodorizer

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to Baking Soda. Sprinkle over carpet, let set 30 to 45 minutes then vacuum as usual

Drain Cleaner

Place 1/4 cup Baking Soda into drain, add 1 cup vinegar, stopper drain tightly, then flush with boiling water.

Drain Deodorizer

Weekly add 2 tablespoons Baking Soda and the juice of 1 lemon to drains.

Daily Shower Spray

In spray bottle mix 1/2 cup Hydrogen Peroxide with 1 cup filtered water.

Fabric Freshener-Deodorizer

In spray bottle mix 1/4 cup Baking Soda, 1 tablespoon Distilled White Vinegar, 5 to 20 drops essential oil (fragrance of your choice) to 2 cups filtered water.

Grout Cleaner

Mix equal parts Kosher Salt and Washing Soda add lemon juice to make a paste.  Use to scrub grout.

Laminate Floor Cleaner

In Spray bottle mix 1 part distilled white vinegar and 2 parts filtered water if desired add 2-3 drops liquid Castile Soap. (if soap is added, you will need to rinse floor)

Laundry Booster

Add 1/4 cup borax to laundry, wash as usual

Mold and Mildew Cleaner

In spray bottle mix 1/2 cup Hydrogen Peroxide with 1 cup filtered water.

Scouring Powder

Mix equal parts Baking Soda and Kosher Salt.

Stain Remover

Mix equal parts Kosher Salt and Borax, add Distilled White Vinegar to make paste, rub into stain, allow to dry then clean as usual.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Crush two Denture cleaning tablets.  Boil water and pour into toilet, add denture cleaner. Brush bowl as usual after cleaner finishes foaming.

Upholstery Cleaner

Mix equal parts Castile Soap and Filtered Water.  Mix until very foamy.  Sponge foam onto upholstery. Rinse with clear water and blot dry.  Allow to air dry completely.

Water Softener

Add 1/4 cup Baking Soda to the laundry, or bath tub to soften water.

Window Cleaner

In a spray bottle mix equal parts Isopropyl Alcohol 90% and filtered water.

It is important to remember that laminate flooring is a multi-layer product which is glued together.  There for the use of buckets of water, solvents and even steam cleaners can potentially lead to damaged floors, buckling and cracks.

I recommend a dry mop method of floor cleaning, using a spray bottle of cleaning solution and either a sponge mop, a Swiffer style mop with pads or a microfiber mop.  The solution can also be applied with a soft cloth.

1.  Vinegar Laminate Floor Spray Cleaner

• Distilled white vinegar
• Filtered Water

Mix 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water. Spray on and mop up, rinsing after moping if desired to remove vinegar scent.

2.  Laminate Floor Cleaner

• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Distilled White Vinegar
• Filtered Water
• Liquid dish detergent (Optional)

Mix equal parts alcohol, vinegar and water and a few drops of dish detergent if desired. Spray on small area of floor and mop. Repeat until floor is done. If detergent is used you will need to rinse the floor after mopping.  If using on a wood floor, do not let mixture sit, mop up immediately as the alcohol may dull the floor surface.

3.  Scrub for Laminate floors

Mix baking soda and water to form a paste. Can be used to remove crusted on grime. Rinse clean.

Daily sweeping or dust mopping you laminate floor will help reduce dust, and eliminate scratches to your floor surface.  Also the use of rugs or mats at doorways and in high traffic areas like in front of the sink will help extend the life of your floor.

Make sure to take a moment and browse through the other homemade cleaners on our homemade cleaning products page.

Homemade cleaners don’t have to be hard to make and the following cleaners are no exception. For cleaning the outside of the toilet, the tank, seat etc. use a good all-purpose disinfecting cleaner:

1.  Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner

• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Filtered water
• Spray Bottle

Mix 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide with 1 cup of filtered water in a spray bottle.  Spray, Leave on a few minutes and wipe off.

2.  Vinegar Cleaner

• Distilled White Vinegar
• Filtered Water
• Spray Bottle

Mix 1 part vinegar to 2 parts filtered water.  Spray, and wipe off.

3.  Disinfectant Cleaner

• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Distilled White Vinegar
• Filtered Water
• Liquid dish detergent (Optional)

Mix equal parts alcohol, vinegar and water and a few drops of dish detergent if desired. Spray let stand for a few minutes and wipe off. Rinsing may be needed if detergent was used.

For the Toilet Bowl itself try one of these (my favorite being the denture cleaner)

1.  Boiling Water

2 Denture cleaner tablets

While the denture cleaner is still in its wrapper, crush the tablets to a fine powder. They break up fairly easily.  Boil a pan or kettle full of water.  Pour the boiling water directly into toilet boil (avoiding the porcelian if it is very cold as this could crack the bowl) Add the denture cleaner.  This will begin foaming immediately.  When foaming has stopped, brush the bowl clean.  This leaves the bowl clean and with a pleasant smell.

2. pour 1/2 cup baking soda into toilet bowl.  Add 1 cup distilled white vinegar, this should begin foaming, swish with toilet brush to get over entire bowl. Brush when foaming has stopped.

Keeping your toilet clean doesn’t have to be a huge job. Remember to clean the seat and flushing handle often to kill germs. You may also want to view MyCloggedToilet.com for tips and advice on avoiding a clogged toilet.

Dry shampoo is probably not something that you would use very often, but it is handy for those days when you’ve had a late start, or when a storm has left you without power so washing your hair in cold water just isn’t your idea of fun.  Trying not to date myself here but, when I was younger I can remember seeing dry shampoos in the shampoo isle at the drug store, I haven’t seen them for years. Dry shampoos are great for oily hair, but work for any hair type.

Here are a few recipes for Homemade Dry Shampoo:

1.

• Cornmeal
• Essential oil (Optional)

You will also need a quality hairbrush, I suggest a boar bristle brush, to remove the shampoo from your hair.

Mix cornmeal with essential oil (fragrance of your choice) in a salt shaker with large holes.  Sprinkle onto scalp, Massage into scalp and hair working it all the way to the ends of the hair.  The cornmeal will absorb oils and lift dirt from the hair.  Brush out.  This may take a little while, and will probably result in you needing to vacuum up afterward, but your hair will be clean, dry and have nice body for your effort.

2.

• Oatmeal
• Baking soda
• Herbs, flowers, or essential oil (optional)
• Blender

Mix 1 cup oatmeal and 1 tablespoon of baking soda along with herbs, flowers or essential oil for fragrance in the blender.  Pulse to grind into a course powder (similar to cornmeal) Place in a salt shaker with large holes or a old baby powder shaker.  Sprinkle a small amount into scalp massaging in to scalp and hair, add as additional shampoo as necessary to absorb oil.  Brush hair thoroughly.

3. Egg Whites beaten to stiff peaks (as for meringue) apply to hair, rubbing into hair.  Allow to dry completely, then brush out.

Easy Homemade Shampoo

One of the easiest way to make shampoo is using castile soap as a base.  Here is my recipe for this along with some options for scalp type.

Castile soap
choice of oil – sweet almond, jojoba, hemp, or virgin olive oil (note extra virgin olive oil is a bit to fragrant for me so I suggest virgin olive oil)
Essential oils – flower oils, herb oils, citrus oils or peppermint oil
Herbal Extracts – sage, dandelion, mullein, red cover, chamomile, lavender etc
Mix 1 cup castile soap with 1 to 4 tablespoons of oil (1 tablespoon for oily scalp, 2 tablespoons for normal scalp, and 3 to 4 tablespoons for dry scalp)
of your choice. Add essential oils for fragrance if desired.  Add herbal extracts if desired to medicate, promote stress relief etc.  Store in a squeeze bottle. Shake well before each use.

Oils

• Sweet Almond Oil – a good all around choice, mild fragrance is often used as a base for massage oils.
  
• Jojoba Oil – an excellent choice for hair that is damaged do to the environment, or such rigors as hair dryers, and curling irons.
  
• Hemp Oil – Excellent for dry skin, aids in healing dry/irritated skin.
• Virgin Olive Oil – In the Mediterranean Olive oil is used for everything, including skin care. Leaves skin feeling moisturized but not sticky or oily.

The use of essential oils is purely personal.  If you want a product that has a flowery fragrance, use a few drops of rose, lavender or hibiscus. Citrus oils can help control an oily scalp, as well as imparting a clean fresh scent.

Herbal essential oils are great for men or women who aren’t fond of the floral scents of most shampoos, you can blend herbs to create a wonderful woodsy fragrance.

Peppermint oil is a necessity if you have a dry flaky scalp.  It helps relieve itching, and dryness. It makes an invigorating shampooing experience. (a little bit goes a long way!)

Herbal Extracts can change your shampoo from just plain to spectacular:

• Sage, Dandelion and Mullein are good for dry scalp
• Red Clover is healing
• Chamomile and lavender are calming

Have a homemade shampoo or homemade cleaners recipe that you would like to share? Send us an email and get your recipes featured on this site!

The film they deposit on your oven surface is next to impossible to remove without rinsing repeatedly.  And if they come in contact with your skin oven cleaners can leave a nasty burn.  If these are some of the things you are looking to avoid, I have a few oven cleaning tips for you.

Even self cleaning ovens need to be cleaned sometimes.  But remember never use the self clean feature of your oven with any cleaning compound in it.

1. Basic Scouring Oven Powder

• Baking Soda
• Filtered Water

Make a paste of baking soda and water, use as you would any scouring powder to remove grime from oven. Rinse clean with water.

2. Extra Strength Scouring Oven Powder

• Baking soda
• Kosher Salt
• Filtered water or Distilled White Vinegar.

Make a paste of equal amounts baking soda and salt, with a little water or vinegar.  This paste can be applied and let set for 45 minutes to help loosen baked on grime. Scrub with a brush or sponge. Rinse clean with water.

3. Grease lifting Oven Cleaner

• Baking Soda
• Dish washing liquid
• Vinegar

Make a paste using baking soda, a few drops of dish detergent and vinegar, sponge or brush on to greasy messes to loosen and lift them away. Rinse with cool water.

4. Lemon Fresh Oven Cleaner

• Lemon Juice and Oil from the skin
• Kosher Salt

Make a paste of the salt and lemon juice, squeeze the rind to release oil into the paste. Apply to oven surface. Allow to sit for several minutes to loosen grime. Scrub clean and rinse well.

A little homemade oven cleaner, a little time, and a little elbow grease and you’ve got a sparkling clean oven, without the chemical smell.

Note, if the grout is split, cracked or missing in places, you may want to remove the old grout and start fresh, making sure to seal the grout well.  This will help avoid staining in the future.

1.  Tough Stains Grout Cleaner

• Washing Soda (you can find this on line for $2.00 to $3.00 per box) or use baking soda
• Kosher Salt (about $2.50 at the grocery store)
• Lemon Juice

Mix equal amounts of washing soda and kosher salt, slowly add lemon juice to make a paste. This past can be applied to both tile wall or counters.  Allow to set until dry. With a toothbrush or small scrub brush dipped in water gently scrub the grout. Remove excess cleaner with a clean soft rag. Rinse.

2.  Hydrogen Peroxide Grout Cleaner

• Hydrogen Peroxide (less than a dollar)
• Filtered water
• Spray Bottle

Mix 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide with 1 cup of filtered water in a spray bottle.  Spray grout.  Leave on.  May need brushing to remove tough stains.
*Great as a daily shower spray.

3.  Vinegar Grout Cleaner

• Distilled White Vinegar
• Filtered Water
• Spray Bottle

Mix 1 part vinegar to 2 parts filtered water.  Spray grout and Leave to dry.  May require brushing to remove tough stains.
*Also works well as a daily shower spray, but some people may object to the smell of the vinegar on a daily basis.

4.  Tough Stain (Mildew and Mold Removing) Grout Cleaner

This is not a natural cleaner, and may cause grout to crack or split.  If you have a problem with mold and mildew in your tiles, it may be best to remove grout and re-grout tiles then seal it.

• Ajax Cleanser (I’ve used other brands but Ajax works the best)
• Bleach

Make a paste of Ajax and bleach.  Apply to tile and let set for an hour. With a toothbrush or small scrub brush dipped in water scrub grout removing stains. Rinse well.
*Wear Rubber gloves, and work in a well ventilated area.
**Once grout is cleaned with this method, you may want to seal grout to avoid further staining.

If you find that removing the grout is your best option because mold, cracking or missing grout.  Think about using a darker colored grout in your tiles.  It is effective at camouflaging stains.  Also remember that sealing your grout is an effective weapon against staining.

Visit our homepage for more homemade cleaners or go straight to a complete list of homemade cleaning products.

Filtered or Distilled Water – the minerals in tap water can build up over time depositing lime and calcium to surfaces, so I recommend using filtered or distilled water in all you cleaning solutions!

Baking Soda – Non abrasive Cleanser, Odor Remover, Laundry Booster, Drain Cleaner, and Water softener.

Borax – Laundry Booster, Grease Remover, Hand Cleaner, Carpet Cleaner, Disinfectant, Cleans painted or papered walls.

Castile Soap – Cleans without leaving a soapy buildup.  Use anywhere you would use soap.  Makes great shampoo’s and body washes. Gentle enough for baby.  Can be used to clean baby’s cloths too.

Club Soda – Spot remover, especially for red wine.  The carbonized liquid simply lifts stains out.

Corn Starch – Removes oily or greasy spots from clothing or carpets. Cleans windows. Polishes furniture. Spray Starch, Gentle Cleanser, Deodorizer.

Distilled White Vinegar – All purpose cleaner, for kitchen, bath, windows, carpeting and hardwood floors.  Add to laundry to sweeten musty clothing. Clean drains and leave them smelling fresh. Grease remover. Deodorizer. Note* apple cider vinegar works equally as well, but can stain.

Hair Spray – Removes Ink stains.

Hydrogen Peroxide – Disinfectant. Mold and mildew cleaner. Bathroom and Kitchen cleaner.

Isopropyl or Rubbing Alcohol – Disinfectant. Cleans windows, mirrors, TV or monitor screens and eyeglasses to a streak-free shine.

Kosher Salt – The abrasive action of kosher salt, is excellent for scrubbing tough stuck on grime. Add to baking soda to make a great scouring powder. Mix into a paste with lemon juice, put on stained white clothing and allow to dry in the direct sun, clothes come out sparkling white and stain free.

Lemons or Lemon Juice – Stain Remover, including sweat. Glass Cleaner. Polish brass and copper. Make drains sweet smelling. The oil from the rind is an effective furniture polish/oil. Great all purpose cleaner for kitchen and bath. And will lighten hair naturally with a little sunshine.

Washing Soda – All purpose general cleaner, Grease Cutter, removes stains, works in bath and kitchen. Great for removing bath tub ring. Removes odors.

Many homemade cleaners are made with the very products listed above. Be sure to browse our website for many great cleaning recipes.

The best way to keep from having a clogged drain is routine drain maintenance.  No you don’t have to be a plumber just a few do’s and don’t’s will keep your drains running free and clear of blockages.

Do’s

1. Weekly pour 1 tablespoon of baking soda in drain, add 1/4 cup of vinegar, let set for about half an hour then flush with boiling water.

2. Invest in a drain screen for bath tub, lavatory, and kitchen drains.  This will keep unwanted food particles, hair etc out of the drain, avoiding clogs.

3. Clean hair out of drain, very important for people with long hair, but even short hair can cause a problem in the drain+.  The lavatory and tub/shower especially need this treatment at least every six months.  I use a crochet hook, just reach down the drain and pull out the hair.  It is gross and nobody really wants to do it but hair is very hard to dissolve. Natural cleaners aren’t up to the task.

Don’t’s

1. Do not pour grease or fat down the drain.

2. Do not wait until the drain is completely backed up to clean it out.  When a drain starts running slow clean it.
3. Do not put food waste in a drain that doesn’t have a garbage disposal.

Mt. Vesuvius Drain Cleaner

• Baking Soda
• Vinegar
• Boiling Water
• Drain Stopper

Clean any standing water out of sink or tub. Sorry! A neccessary step.  Place 1/4 cup of Baking soda into drain.  With drain stopper in hand add 1 cup of vinegar.  Quickly stopper drain tightly.  Allow to set for 15 minutes. Pour boiling water into drain.  If it doesn’t drain. Repeat, making sure that the drain is stoppered tightly.  If you are cleaning a double sink, stopper both drains.

If this cleaner doesn’t work after the second application it may be time to call a plumber to have the drain trap cleaned out and check for blockage in the sewer line.

To keep drain smelling sweet

1. Grind lemon or lime peels in the garbage disposal.

2. Pour Lemon juice in drain.

3. Pour vinegar in drain.

4. Sprinkle baking soda in drain.

Special note. Women everywhere seem to be drawn to the idea of relaxing in a tub of scented bubbles or oils. The bubbles shouldn’t offer much trouble to your bathtub drain, but the oils can.  After your bath, you might want to clean out the tub with borax, or washing soda, to cut the oils. Or Pour Vinegar and boiling water into the drain.  But what ever you do, don’t give up your relaxing bath.