Back to the Basics

Making your own cleaning supplies is really quite simple.  You only need a few basic ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand and use to bake and cook with on a normal basis.

Somehow knowing that I am using some of the same ingredients for my cleaning supplies as I do for banana bread and chocolate chip cookies gives me a great peace of mind.  Especially when we were laying out all the materials we needed to make the cleaning supplies, and I look over to see Coralyn sucking on the spray bottle.  Granted, it was brand new, but still...  If she were to get the itch to play with the spray bottle again later, when it did have one of our homemade cleaning solutions in it, I wouldn't have to call 911 or Poison Control.  Not that eating or drinking a mixture of baking soda and vinegar is going to taste all that great, but it's not going to tear her insides to shreds or burn her eyes out either.

So, here are the cleaning supplies I made and what's in each of them:

All Purpose Cleaner (Disinfectant)

   

Water
Vinegar

I didn't measure anything for this one.  I just filled the container about 1/3 full with vinegar and then added water until the solution reached the "fill line."






Scrub

Water
Baking Soda

Again, I didn't measure anything out exactly.  I just some baking soda in my container and then added a little bit of water to make a nice paste.

I can use this on my nasty spills and stains in my oven, or anywhere in the house really.  Just put the Baking Soda Scrub on the dirty area and let it sit for a bit.  Then, spray with my All Purpose Cleaner and wipe the area clean.




Glass Cleaner

1 Cup Rubbing Alcohol
1 Cup Water
1 Tablespoon Vinegar (or ammonia, if you want)

I made a double batch so that my spray bottle would be full.  Lawrence put it to use right away on our microwave door.  :)




Furniture Polish
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1 Cup Olive Oil
1/2 Cup Lemon Juice

I made a double batch again and just used an empty Olive Oil jar for my container.  When I dust, I will just put some of the Furniture Polish on my rag and then wipe down my coffee table, end tables, dressers, bed frames, etc.





Carpet Cleaner   

1/4 Cup Borax
1/4 Cup Salt
1/4 Cup Vinegar

I had 1/2 cup of salt and figured I could just use it all up for this recipe, so I doubled everything.  Having an in-home daycare with 5 small children running around and playing all day, I am sure that I will put my Carpet Cleaner to good use!

I can also sprinkle Cornstarch on a stain, let it sit for a bit, and spray my Carpet Cleaner on it.  Then, rub the area clean.









Toilet Bowl Cleaner

We ended up having to mix up the solution in the bowl  first.

1/4 Cup Baking Soda
1 Cup Vinegar

You can turn this recipe into a science lesson with your kids.  I knew that adding baking soda and vinegar together would cause some foaming, but I was not prepared for the "volcano" that  erupted out of my spray bottle!  Next time I might just sprinkle baking soda directly into my toilet bowl and then spray my All Purpose Cleaner (with vinegar in it) on top of the baking soda.  Same concept.


Bathroom Mold/Stain Cleaner
   
1/2 Cup Hydrogen Peroxide
1 Cup Water
Cream of Tartar

I will use this to clean my bathtub and shower, as well as any difficult stains on my bathroom and kitchen floors.



Now we're all set to be both clean and SAFE!