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Calling all DIYers and future DIYers! You may have started to ask yourself some questions lately about your cleaning products:
What is really in my household cleaners?
Can I make my own cost effective cleaners?
What suplies do I need to do it on my own?
If you are interested in trying your hand and making your own household cleaners and still want to save money then take a look at the recipes and costs comparisons (taken from the Item Search) below.
Items To Keep On Hand
Water
Lemons or Lemon Juice – 69¢ ea.
White Distilled Vinegar – $2 for 1 gallon
Baking Soda – 75¢ per box
Liquid Castile Soap – $1-$3
Hydrogen Peroxide – 67¢ for 16 oz.
Fels-Naptha Soap Bar – $1-$2
Washing Soda – $3.19 for 55 oz. box
Borax – $4.39 for 76 oz.
Olive Oil – $3.49 for 17 oz
Extra Items
Tea Tree Oil
Spray Bottles
Funnel (prevents spills)
DIY Cleaning Supplies VS Store Bought
All Purpose Cleaner
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons White Distilled Vinegar
1 Teaspoon Liquid Castile Soap
2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
2 Cups Warm Water
Directions:
-Combine vinegar and Castile Soap in spray bottle
-Add baking soda & wait until it stops foaming
-Add warm water
-Shake Gently
Total Cost: 12¢ per bottle
Store Bought Prices:
Publix – Clorox All Purpose Cleaner, $1.50
Bi-Lo – Clorox Cleaner, $2.50
Kroger – Lysol Multi-Purpose Cleaner, $1.74
I use unscented Castile soap and couldn’t smell the vinegar at all after combining ingredients.
Glass Cleaner
Ingredients:
1 c. Water
1 c. Rubbing Alcohol
1 tbsp Cup Distilled White Vinegar
Directions:
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and shake gently.
Total Cost: 50¢ per 32 oz bottle
Store Bought Prices After Coupons:
Target – Windex Glass Cleaner, $1.51
Winn Dixie – Glass Plus Cleaner, $3.99
Furniture Polish
Ingredients:
1 Cup Olive Oil
1/2 Cup Lemon Juice
Directions:
Combine ingredients in spray bottle.
Total Cost: $3.02 per bottle
I hand juice lemons and I need two lemons in order to get the 1/2 cup of lemon juice. This would be an even better price if lemons were on sale.
Store Bought Prices After Coupons:
BJ’s – Pledge Item, 128 oz, $9.99
Lowe’s Foods – Pledge Furniture Spray, 9.7 oz, $1.99 (2/25)
Kroger – Pledge Wipes, 24 ct., $1.84 (2/11)
Powdered Laundry Detergent
(Yields 3 cups = 40 loads)
Ingredients:
1 Fels-Naptha Soap Bar (you can also use Dr. Bronner’s, Ivory or another soap you like)
1 c. Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 c. 20 Mule Team Borax
Directions:
-Grate the bar of soap with a small cheese grater or put it in an old food processor until powdered.
-Combine the three ingredients into a large container. You can get creative with a pretty glass jar or just reuse an old container.
-For a small or un-soiled load, use approx. 1 tablespoon.
-For heavy or very dirty laundry, use 2-3 tablespoons.
Total Cost: $2.10 or 5.26¢ per load
Store Bought Prices After Coupons:
Bi-Lo – OxiClean Powder Laundry Detergent, 46 loads, $1.99
Winn Dixie – OxiClean Powder Laundry Detergent, 46 loads, $4.24
1 cup baking soda
6 cups distilled white vinegar
8 cups water
10-15 drops orange essential oils or lemon essential oils (optional)
-Mix together ingredients
-Use 1 cup per load in final rinse cycle
Total Cost: 90¢ or 6¢ per load
Kroger – Downy Fabric Softener, 52-60 loads, $2.49
Lowe’s Foods – Snuggle Fabric Softener, 64 oz, $2
