Frugal Living - Homemade Cleaners

When I first learned about home made cleaners I thought, "Just go to the store and buy some cleaners.  Really."


However, as I blogged about here, the older I get, the more sensitive my skin gets.  I can't handle dyes or perfumes, so I have to be very picky about what I buy.


Fast forward to last week when my friend, Tess, gave me some laundry detergent that she made.  It is completely free of dyes and perfumes, and did a great job on my clothes.  I love it.


I also have been learning about essential oils, and have discovered that oils contain many medicinal and anti fungal properties.  There are many "recipes" for cleaners that use essential oils.  


The best part is that these cleaners are safe around pets and kids, in addition to being far more economical that commercial cleaners, and safer for our skin. 


Here are some "recipes" that I have.  


Laundry Soap


2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
1/4 C baking soda
1 regular sized bar of soap (Ivory, orFels Naptha will work)


There are variations on this.  Some say to grate the soap, and other's say to microwave it for about 90 seconds, leaving it brittle, then pulse all of this in a blender or food processor.  


Add 2 tablespoons to your laundry. - This works in HE washers as well.


Wood Floor Cleaner


1/4 C olive oil
1/4 C vinegar
10 drops of essential oil - lemon, orange or tea tree oil/melaluca
Add to hot water.


Regular floor cleaner


1 C vinegar
1/2 capful liquid castile soap
2 gallons warm water


Toilet cleaner


1/2 C baking soda
10 drops melaluca
1/4 C vinegar


All Purpose Spray


1/4 C vinegar
2 C water
1 tsp borax
30 drops oil - lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint, orange


Alternate All Purpose Spray


2 C water
2 Tablespoons liquid castile soap
1 T white thyme essential oil (kills e-coli)
10 drops lavender essential oil


Combine in spray bottle, spray and let sit for 20 minutes.  Wipe with damp cloth.  This has anti bacterial properties.


Window Cleaner


1/8 C vinegar
1 C water
10 - 15 drops lemon


Tub and Tile Srubber


2 tsp borax
1/2 tsp liquid castile soap
1/2 C vinegar
3 C hot water


Pour into a spray bottle, spray the surfaces and scrub.


Furniture Polish


2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/4 C vinegar
1/4 tsp lemon oil or fresh lemon juice


Mix in spray bottle and spray as needed.


Anti bacterial wipes


1 roll of GOOD paper towels cut in half to make toilet paper sized rolls
2 C warm water
2 Tablespoons coconut or olive oil
3 drops lemon
3 drops melaluca
3 drops white thyme


Bring to a boil.  Pour over paper towels, with cardboard core inside.  Flip roll until saturated.  Remove the cardboard core.  Put into an air tight container and pull from the center.


If you are looking for good quality essential oils, I buy mine from Doterra.  You can read about what makes them better than other oils.


It will take less than an hour of your time to make your mixes and it will save you a lot of money as well as being healthier for everyone in your family.