Making Your Own Cleaners is Safe and Inexpensive

by | Apr 10, 2018

Many of today’s commercial cleaners are petroleum-based, which may have harmful effects on human and environmental health. But have no fear! On the market today are many wonderful “green” cleaning products that are planet- (and you-) friendly and can be found alongside their more conventional cousins in the cleaning aisle. These products are non-toxic, biodegradable, non-petroleum-based, and are just as effective at getting rid of grime.

Two common household products used in homemade cleaners are vinegar and baking soda. Photo credit: Samantha Kennedy

They do, however, tend to be more expensive. If spending extra money isn’t your thing, you can still clean green” by taking advantage of a few everyday products you probably have in your pantry right now.

White vinegar and baking soda are two of the most effective cleaning products out there and cost just a fraction of what commercial cleaning products cost. Add a little warm water to either of these products and you have created a solution that can clean just about everything, from tile floors to coffee-stained mugs to sinks and showers.

Another great natural and inexpensive cleaning agent is borax.  Found in the laundry aisle, it is great as an all-purpose cleaner when mixed with water and can be used on floors, countertops, sinks, and toilets.  It is nonabrasive, has no toxic fumes, and is safe for the environment.  Borax also doubles as a safe insecticide, by slowly poisoning ants, cockroaches, silverfish, and termites to death.

Other common household products that make great cleaners are salt, lemon juice, and rubbing alcohol.  Hot water mixed with salt makes an excellent drain deodorizer.  Lemon juice makes a terrific mild bleaching agent and air freshener.  Rubbing alcohol makes a great sanitizer for countertops.  It is also good for cleaning minor wounds and will kill those annoying ghost ants (and others) that often try to make a home in your kitchen.

Making your own household cleaners is safer, healthier, and less expensive.  For some quick and easy cleaner recipes, please read “Homemade Household Cleaners.”

For more information about this and other Family and Consumer Sciences topics, please contact Samantha Kennedy at 850.926.3931 or skennedy@ufl.edu.

Clean It Up with Homemade Cleaners

Clean It Up with Homemade Cleaners

by | Apr 5, 2016

laundry-666487_1920Spring has sprung and this is the perfect time to clean and freshen your house.  But you don’t have to spend a lot of money on cleaning products when you can whip up your own with a few simple, inexpensive ingredients.

The basic ingredient list includes:

  • White Vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Ammonia
  • Mild dish detergent
  • Washing soda (can be found in the laundry products aisle)
  • Borax (also in the laundry section)

Use clean jars or bottles for mixing and storage.  Do not use food containers – children can think the contents are something to eat.  Also, don’t mix your products in empty cleaning product bottles; residue from the original product may interact with your product, causing a dangerous reaction. Label each product and store out of reach of children.  NEVER mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or vinegar – it will create dangerous, toxic fumes!

Here are a few recipes to get you started:

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER

Mix in a 16 oz. or larger spray bottle:

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 cup water

Use on sinks, countertops, lightly soiled range surfaces, floors, toilets, and showers.

WINDOW CLEANER

  • 3 tablespoons ammonia
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Put in a spray bottle and fill the rest with water.

HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT

  • 1 bar Ivory® or 1/3 bar Fels Naptha® soap
  • 1/2 cup washing soda
  • 1/2 cup borax powder

Grate the bar soap into a cooking pot.  Add 6 cups of water and heat until the soap melts.  Add the washing soda and borax and stir until dissolved.  Remove from heat.  Pour 4 cups hot water into a clean bucket.  Add the soap mixture from the pot and stir.  Add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir.  Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel slightly.  Optional:  Add 1 ounce essential oil or fragrance oil of your choice.

Use 1/2 cup per load.  This is a low-sudsing soap which removes dirt and odor and can be used in high-efficiency machines.

For more product recipes, check out Homemade Household Cleaners and Green Cleaning:  Recipes for a Healthy Home.

Sources:  Homemade Household Cleaners

Clean It Green!, C. Rogers, UF/IFAS Extension Suwannee County.