If you’re trying to avoid using chemical products in your home, you can easily and affordably make your own home cleaning supplies. Using common pantry staples, plus a couple other items you can find online, you can create products to handle nearly every cleaning chore.
Swipe through to learn how to make your own cleaning supplies.
For a DIY all-purpose cleaner, pour 2 cups of boiled or distilled water into a spray bottle. Add 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 teaspoon castile or phosphorus-free dish soap or washing soda. Add essential oil, if you like, and shake well.
In the kitchen, mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water to create a refrigerator cleaner. Use less water and more baking soda to make a thick paste to scrub stubborn spots. To clean and sanitize your cutting board, spray it with vinegar and then spray with 3% hydrogen peroxide—but don’t mix these two in the same bottle. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe with a clean cloth.
This mixture will help you get rid of mildew. In a spray bottle, mix 3 cups hot water, ½ cup vinegar, ¼ cup castile soap, 1 teaspoon borax and 1 teaspoon tea tree oil. You can add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil if you like. Shake the bottle well and then spray on the affected area. Give it a couple minutes to work and then wipe clean with a dry cloth.
Photography: Instagram/Zinsseruk
For toilet bowls that need a little attention, consider this extra-strength method. Sprinkle 1 cup of Borax around the basin, then spray it with ½ cup of vinegar and leave it overnight. In the morning, scrub the bowl with your usual toilet brush.
Clean your windows and mirrors with this mixture — 1/4 cup vinegar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 quart of warm water. Mix ingredients in a spray bottle and get to work!
Do your have clogged drains? Avoid the commercial stuff and use this homemade drain cleaner. First, pour 1/4 cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow with 1/2 cup vinegar to help rinse the baking soda down. Cover the drain and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then pour 2 quarts of boiling water down the drain.
Clean your wood floors with this DIY combo. Into a pail of water, add 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar and ¼ cup lemon juice. Mix it up and mop as usual.