DIY Cleaning Products
Up until recently, the idea of the thought of making my own cleaning and laundry supplies seemed complicated and overwhelming. But after a little research and a LOT of experimenting, I’ve discovered making your own cleaning supplies can be easy, fun and a great way to save money.
Glass Cleaner: Use on windows and mirrors.
Supplies:
white vinegar, blue generic brand dish soap and water.
Directions:
Using a funnel, mix 1/3 cup of vinegar, 6 drops of blue dish soap and 3 ½ cups of water into a spray bottle.
Multi-Surface Cleaner: Use on dirt, grease and grime.
Supplies:
Borax, white vinegar, blue generic brand dish soap, orange essential oil, water.
Directions:
Using a funnel, add 4 T of vinegar, 2 t of Borax, ¼ cup of dish soap, 2 cups of water and 8 drops of orange essential oil inside a spray bottle. Shake gently.
Tub and Shower Cleaner: Use in bathroom on soap scum and in sinks and in shower.
I also used on moldy areas and it worked well.
Supplies:
white vinegar, blue generic brand dish soap, and lemon-
eucalyptus essential oil.
Directions
1. Warm 2 cups of vinegar in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl. Using a funnel, pout into spray bottle.
2. Add 2 ½ cups of blue generic brand dish soap.
3. Add 12 drops (optional) of lemon-eucalyptus essential oil.
Laundry Detergent
Supplies
Arm and Hammer Washing Soda, 1-2 bars of soap (I used Zote, Fels-Naptha and Ivory are also recommended but your favorite bar soap will do) Borax and a cheese grater. Note: I found the washing soda and Zote soap at Wal-Mart, not all grocery stores carry them. Check the Laundry Supplies aisle.
Directions
1. Grate the soap. You’ll need 4 cups. You could also use a food processor.
2. Combine the grated soap with 2 cups of Borax and 2 cups of washing soda.
3. Store in a lidded glass jar or other airtight container.
Makes 8 cups of laundry detergent. 2 T for every load will do the trick.
Fabric Softener
Supplies:
white vinegar, hair conditioner, water, lavender essential oil (optional).
Directions:
1. Warm up 2 cups of vinegar in the microwave, in a microwave safe bowl (I did it for 1 minute).
2. Combine with ½ cup of hair conditioner (I used Suave Soothing Lavender Lilac because it’s inexpensive and smells good), 1.5 cups of water and 4 drops of lavender essential oil.
3. Store in a lidded container or spray bottle. Shake well before using. Use ¼ cup during your washing machine’s rinse cycle.
Stain Remover
Supplies:
ammonia, Whisk Laundry Detergent and water.
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine 1 ½ cups each of ammonia, Whisk Detergent and water. Using a funnel to put the mixture in a spray bottle.
More Info
I bought all the spray bottles ($1 each) and white plastic funnels ($1 for a set) at The Dollar Tree.
You can find essential oils many places including PCC Markets (in the greater Seattle area).
Enjoy a FREE set of the cleaning labels (outlined in color, in color and blank). Print them out at home on sticker paper. Labels are by Printabelle (www.printabelle.com) for Yesterday on Tuesday.
Directions for Printing Labels
- Click Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72157632950413580/
- Open the printable you want.
- Click Actions
- Scroll down to “View All Sizes”
- Select “Large”
- Save to your computer
The Nitty Gritty Disclaimers:
– Always test in an inconspicuous spot.
– As with all cleaning products, keep out of reach of children.
– These recipes worked for ME, I am not making any claims about their effectiveness for everyone.
– Have fun creating the right products to suit your needs.
Great ideas Malia! I already use many of them…but I must try the tub and shower cleaner! Ours needs help!
Thanks Holly. I was mortified when I got in my shower to try this stuff out and I realized how nasty it was… and it gets cleaned but apparently not enough!
I’ve always been a vinegar advocate and I’m eager to try these suggestions for cleaning alternatives. I use apple cider vinegar to neutralize any musty odors that can come about during our rainy seasons. Thanks for the great tips.
Hi Renae, I agree vinegar is absolutely amazing. I can’t believe how many uses it has. I’d love to hear your favorite uses for apple cider vinegar.
I love these natural recipes and your blog looks fantastic! Nice job, I know how much work it is to redo them. I love what you did on your blog. I’m going to share them on mine, too, thanks!
Thank you Michelle!
Great recipes! I make my own laundry detergent but I’m really curious about trying some of these other recipes as well!
It’s crazy how fun it can be to make your own laundry soap!
These are fabulous recipes for DIY Cleaners, Malia! Pinning for future reference.
Hugs,
Mary Beth
P.S. I LOVE the new blog design.
Thanks MB that means a lot, coming from a domestic diva like you!
Now that’s just cool. Labels are so much nicer than sharpie pin chicken scratch.
Thanks Michal! Printabelle (Michelle) does a beautiful job with creating printables.
I’ve been looking for something like this for a LONG time — thanks so much for putting this on the air and on the website. Really, thanks again.
Thank you Susan! Your comment made my day.
i’m tired of buying cleaning products that don’t work so it looks like i’ll be trying some of these out and grabbing me some cool printables too! thanks so much! :)
Thanks Lisa!
Hi Malia,
I love your blog!! I enjoy stopping by and checking out all your newest creations. Thank you for these great cleaning items and free printables! Last night was my first night hosting a linky party at redflycreations(dot)com! I would love to have you link up this awesome post. Thank you so much for sharing all your wonderful creative ideas!
Melissa
redflycreations(dot)com
Hi Melissa, Thanks for stopping by. Congrats on your party. I’ll visit you soon!
I need to try your formulas. I’d much rather know what I’m spraying in my home instead of breathing in who-knows-what chemicals.
Agreed! Things like vinegar work miracles!
Awesome Malia!!
Thanks Anne!
Thank you for sharing your cleaning solution recipes.
Can you share where you can get the essential oils?
Thanks!!
Malia, your tub and shower cleaner recipe looks really interesting. I’m looking forward to giving it a try! Thanks for sharing!
I’m excited to try these! Does the laundry detergent work in high efficiency washers (HE), too?
Hi Kim! I have a HE washer and it works great!
Thank you for the great recipes and for your labels too!