Homemade Household Cleaners

There are many reasons to switch from commercially produced chemical cleaners to more natural homemade cleaners, such as allergies, protecting the environment, eliminating toxic chemicals from the household, and cost.  I suffer from them all. It has been a trial to find good cleaning solutions for my house, but it was and is important not only to the health of myself, and my family but to the continuing health of our planet, that I not only find these products, but use them on a regular basis.

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.