Now that we are getting closer to spring clean time, here are 5 cleaners you shouldn't buy but DIY.
5 cleaners you shouldn't buy but DIY
Are you fed up with spending money on things such as cleaning products? Why are there so many kinds of cleaning products in the first place? Do you really need a special glass cleaner and a special mirror cleaner? A bathroom cleaner and another kitchen cleaner? Then why are there all-purpose cleaners that clean most surfaces and individual products for every surface?
Not to mention that all of these cleaning products do not only cost a lot but they also have another negative side – dangerous chemicals. Of course, the more expensive and stronger the cleaning product is the more efficient it will be but this also means that it has a lot of dangerous chemicals in it. Which means that every time you use them you release a dose of chemicals and fumes into your home.
But do not worry, there is a very easy solution that will resolve all of these problems. And that is to DIY your own cleaning products which will be the exact opposite of the store-bought ones. Making your own cleaners means that you get to pick and choose what ingredients and products you use.
Well, you cannot replace every single product. But at least half and even more than half of the products you currently own can be substituted. Here is a list of products and easy recipes that you should DIY instead of buy.
1. A simple wood cleaner – wood should always be treated carefully and I have always been a fan of keeping things natural and safe. Here is a simple recipe to DIY a natural wood cleaner:
¼ cup of water
½ cup of lemon juice
½ teaspoon liquid dish soap, preferably a natural one
4-5 drops of olive oil
Make this solution before cleaning your wood surfaces. Use a sponge soaked in the solution without the excess product to scrub your wood floor or table, or any other wooden surface. It is safe and efficient.
2. Stain remover – this one is very useful as you do not find a lot of stain removers in stores that actually work. This is a simple DIY stain remover recipe that can be used to remove tougher stains from your family's clothes.
500ml lukewarm water
6 tablespoons baking soda
about 2/3 cup ammonia
2/3 cup of Dawn dish washing detergent
Mix these ingredients in a spray bottle and use it to spray the stain before throwing it into the laundry machine and launder as you do.
3. Glass cleaner – if you, too, hate cleaning your windows because you can never get rid of streaks or make your windows shining clean, you can try this recipe and use an all-natural cleaner with ingredients that will help clean it better than store-bought ones.
Half a cup white vinegar
4 teaspoons 70% concentrated rubbing alcohol
about 500 ml water
2-3 droplets of an essential oil of your choice for the scent
Mix the ingredients and pour in a bottle with a spray nozzle and shake to combine well. Shake and use to spray your windows and mirrors.
4. Gunk remover – Grease in the kitchen is inevitable even on surfaces that are in no direct contact with the greasy pans or food. But your kitchen counter, kitchen cabinets' doors, etc. would be covered in greasy fingerprints and smudges. Here is a DIY recipe provided by DPC End of Tenancy Cleaning London for a very easy and efficient gunk cleaner.
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Mix these two ingredients to make a paste and use an old toothbrush, a sponge or a cloth to scrub away the grime and gunk from your kitchen surfaces.
5. Toilet cleaner – everyone hates dealing with toilet cleaning because it takes time and energy for scrubbing the bowl, but there is a way that is cheap, quick, efficient and easy. All you will need is a ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup white distilled vinegar. Sprinkle the soda inside of your toilet bowl and let it sit for 2-3 min then pour in the vinegar. The mixture will start to sizzle and the sizzling will remove the gunk and stains in your toilet. Let the mixture do its work and go back to rinses your toilet in a few minutes. Repeat if necessary.
These are cleaners you should DIY because they are the most used ones in every household. Which means that you would be limiting the number of chemicals sprayed in your home a lot and also the money that you spend on cleaning supplies will decrease.
Hi, my name is Melissa! I live in Spanish Fork, Utah. I'm happily married to Rob, and together we have five wonderful kids. Our family loves to embark on adventures, often in our RV, exploring the great outdoors. I'm an avid reader and a big fan of Hallmark movies – they always have a way of lifting my spirits. Hiking is another passion of mine; there's nothing like the tranquility of nature. I have a sweet tooth for chocolate and a love for Mexican food, both of which make life a little more delicious. In my downtime, I enjoy playing games with my family, creating memories and sharing laughter. Life is an adventure, and I'm here to enjoy every moment of it! I'm the blogger and creative mind behind the blog A Sparkle of Genius! Check out our posts on recipes, crafts, kid stuff, printables, travel and more!