For many people, cleaning with store-bought cleaning products is a matter of routine. However, these products can cost a small fortune, and they don’t always get the job done to your satisfaction. In addition, store-bought cleaners often contain harmful chemicals that are damaging to the environment and can cause a wide range of health issues.
Some of these include skin rashes, eye irritation, breathing problems, headaches and nausea. You can avoid the high cost, environmental issues and health concerns of store-bought cleaning products by making your own products at home. What are the best homemade all-purpose cleaner recipes that you can make today?
Benefits of Using Homemade Cleaners
While store-bought cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals are effective at removing grime and killing many germs that make their way into your home, they don’t leave your home clean. The chemicals in these products negatively affect indoor air quality in your home and are harmful to people and pets. More than that, they contribute to outdoor air, soil and water pollution.
However, you don’t have to use these cleaning products to remove the filth in your home. When you make your own cleaning products, you have full control over the ingredients used. Many DIY all-purpose cleaner recipes use safe, affordable ingredients that you likely already have in your home. Some of these ingredients are safe enough to consume, but they are also effective at killing germs, removing stains, deodorizing and more.
What Are the Best DIY All-Purpose Cleaner Recipes?
You might have a dozen cleaning products in your cabinet right now, and they all may serve a specific and necessary purpose. However, you don’t need to use separate products to clean glass, tile, stone, wood and other materials. There are several DIY all-purpose cleaner recipes that you can make affordably and keep on-hand for future cleaning sessions.
Before using any recipe on a surface for the first time, do your research. Ensure that the ingredients are safe to use on the specific material. In addition, test a discrete area to look for signs of damage.
Vinegar Based
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which is also used in many store-bought cleaning products. This natural ingredient can cut through grease and grime, and it has disinfecting properties. Mix a cup of distilled white vinegar with a cup of distilled water. Distilled water is preferred because it won’t leave behind hard water residue like tap water will.
Combine these ingredients in a spray bottle. You can improve the scent and magnify the cleaning power by adding 10 drops of essential oil to the mixture. Consider using lemon, tea tree, lavender or eucalyptus oils.
Castile Soap Based
An alternative is to use castile soap. Add a teaspoon of castile soap, a teaspoon of borax, a half teaspoon of washing soda, and two cups of distilled water together. You can add essential oils to the solution, if desired. Pour the solution into a spray bottle. Shake the mixture well before each use.
Alcohol Based
Rubbing alcohol is a strong disinfectant, but it can damage some surfaces if it is not properly diluted. To make an all-purpose disinfectant, combine one part rubbing alcohol with three parts distilled water in a spray bottle. For more cleaning power, you can add a few drops of grease-cutting liquid dish soap. You can also add a few drops of essential oils to improve the scent.
How Long Do Homemade Cleaners Last?
Homemade cleaners only take a minute or two to make, and they can be used immediately or stored for future use. Generally, these cleaning solutions will retain their powerful properties for up to a month. As is the case with store-bought cleaning solutions, homemade cleaners should be stored out of reach of children.
You don’t have to resign yourself to using chemical-based cleaning products to get a clean home. In fact, you don’t even have to do any of the cleaning yourself. At Tidyhere, we offer green cleaning services and deliver impeccable results. Our professional cleaners always use safe cleaning supplies that are essential for a healthier home environment. Schedule your first green cleaning service with us today.
