Spring is in the Air! Make Cleaning Easy With DIY!

Spring is here in Northern Colorado. The trees are blooming, the birds are singing, everything is turning green again! The days are warm enough to open the windows and let in some fresh air. It is the perfect time to do some cleaning and refreshing around the house. I want to share with you some of the cleaners I make and use to get our house clean, without worrying about toxic chemicals,or paying a lot of money.

Why make your own cleaning supplies?

I am all about knowing your ‘why’ when it comes to any DIY project. If you haven’t read it yet, I have a post explaining my philosophy and methods, here. While I can’t give you your own reasons, I can share why I make my own cleaning supplies. These are my own opinions and experiences, not those of an ‘expert’. As always, use your best judgement and do your own research.

The main reason I make my own cleaners is my desire to live a life free of harmful chemicals. I believe that most industrially produced cleaners are harmful not only to people, but also the environment. I don’t trust corporations to operate in good faith. I also like the convenience of having what I need on hand instead of making trips to the store every time I run out of something. I find that it is cheaper to make my own. I put much less waste in the landfill. I feel much better about my kids doing their chores with the cleaners I make. I think it is fun to mix up a new batch of cleaner and decide what scents I want to use.

How to DIY your cleaning supplies

Supplies

This list will vary based on what you want to make. There are a few general things you will need to have in order to make your own cleaners. This will by no means be an exhaustive or exact list. This is just what I have on hand and use the most.

• Spray bottles, at least 16 ounces. The cleaning recipe you chose may need a different volume. It really is worth the investment to get good spray bottles. I generally use plastic bottles. I like spray bottles meant for heavy duty jobs. You could use glass bottles if you are trying to avoid plastics, but for me, the ‘ooops’ factor of a dropped and broken bottle outweighs my desire to be entirely plastic free.
• A funnel. Makes getting ingredients into the bottle neater and easier.
• Sharpie markers for writing on the bottles.
• An empty food container with lid or a storage container of some type. This is for keeping the ‘soft scrub’ type cleaners.
• Measuring cups and spoons. A kitchen scale is also handy.
• A grater or blender or food processor for chopping things finely.

The Recipes

Surprise! I have not created my own recipes. (Around here we try to do better, even if it is in very small ways. But we don’t turn our noses up at good enough.) I use ones that other fabulous people have designed, or that I find in home keeping publications. I am going to share links to the ones I use regularly, and any changes I make.

Powdered Laundry Detergent

https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/cheap-simple-homemade-laundry-detergent

This recipe has been my go to for years. I do not add the scent boosting crystals to mine. It makes a lot, so you will need a big container.

Almost Every Other Cleaner

https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/homemade-cleaning-and-laundry

This is a compilation of several cleaning recipes. The ones I use are the All-Purpose Cleaning Spray, Tub and Shower Cleaner, Dusting Spray, Granite Cleaner, Glass Cleaner (the all-natural one), Dishwasher Detergent Tabs, ‘Soft Scrub’ Cleaner, Stain Remover Spray, and Fabric Softener Crystals.

Yes, some of them do use dish detergent, like Dawn. I have yet to find a more natural alternative I like for getting rid of grease. You could swap the Dawn for liquid castile soap or sal suds, but it won’t be as good at getting rid of grease.

Floor Cleaner

I have engineered flooring and vinyl flooring in my home. I use the same cleaner for both. Surprisingly this recipe is from a different site. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/homemade-hardwood-floor-cleaner/

Tips and Tricks

The instructions included with the recipes above are excellent. I think you will find them easy to understand as they are, without difficulty. But I do have a few tips for you.

• Try to buy in bulk, on sale, or from places like dollar stores. Ingredients like vinegar, dish soap, baking soda, etc. are easy to find on sale. You will be saving even more if you can plan ahead a bit and watch for the best prices.
• Apply and wait. Natural cleaners may take a few minutes to do their job. Spray on your surface and let sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.
• Essential Oils. If you are cleaning a natural surface, like granite, it is best to avoid citrus oils in your cleaners. They can eat through the sealant and pit your surface. Also vinegar is usually a bad idea, so most of the natural surface cleaners are rubbing alcohol based. Make sure you do your research!
• You may have noticed that I didn’t include a toilet bowl cleaner. That’s because I usually just put some baking soda and vinegar in the bowl and let it fizz, then scrub.
• A spray bottle of half vinegar half water makes a good spray for after you shower. It helps keep the time you spend cleaning down.
• When the instructions say to use warm water or vinegar to dissolve some of the other cleaning agents, do not use it right away, let it cool first. I have ruined the triggers of more than one spray bottle being impatient!
• I like to use the granite cleaner to clean my stainless steel appliances. If I need to polish them up, a tiny bit of oil, like olive, on a cloth does the trick.

Final Thoughts

Making your own cleaning products is a fast, cheap, and easy way to feel more confident about what you and your loved ones are exposed to. DIY is a great way to be empowered to take more control over your life. I would love to know if you try any of these recipes, or if you have a favorite one to share.

As always, feel free to reach out in the comments. And if you haven’t yet, consider subscribing so you know when my next post goes live, and to gain access to my subscriber exclusives.