Deal Diva: Spring Cleaning

Homemade Cleaners

Tub and Sink Cleanser	Window Cleaner
Toilet Bowl Cleaner	Spot-free Dishes
Window Cleaner	Floor Cleaner
Furniture Polish	All Purpose Household Cleaner
Disinfectant

HOMEMADE CLEANERS

Tub and Sink Cleanser

HOW TO	Fill a clean plastic parmesan cheese container or a powdered sugar shaker with baking soda. For an extra kick add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil from the local health food store and you are ready to clean.
THE STORE BRAND	Comet 21oz =.99 cents
HOMEMADE VERSION	baking soda 16 oz = .69 cents
YOUR SAVINGS	This cleaner does not show a huge savings, but it is safer and more environmentally friendly.

HOMEMADE CLEANERS

Window Cleaner

HOW TO	Fill a clean empty trigger spray bottle with Club Soda that you find at the grocery store. Spray on and wipe off with a crumpled newspaper for a lint free shine. This can be used bubbly or flat. Store the unused portion of Club Soda to refill your bottle with later.
THE STORE BRAND	Windex Glass and Surface 26 oz = $3.49
HOMEMADE VERSION	.89 cents for 67.6 oz
YOUR SAVINGS	You save about $3.14 every time you refill your bottle.

HOMEMADE CLEANERS

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

HOW TO	Make a thin paste of Borax and lemon juice. Flush the toilet to wet the bowl and rub the paste unto the toilet bowl ring. Let this sit for two hours. Scrub and then flush to rinse. Make sure the paste is thin but not too runny.
THE STORE BRAND	Lysol Cling Toilet Bowl Cleaner 22 oz = $2.99
HOMEMADE VERSION	.05 cents
YOUR SAVINGS	You save .30 cents every time you use it.

HOMEMADE CLEANERS

Spot-free Dishes

HOW TO	Just add vinegar to the rinse compartment of the dishwasher. Be careful not to overfill. Wash as usual. This will give your dishes a great shine.
THE STORE BRAND	Sunlight Dishwashing Rinse Aid 5 oz = $3.19
HOMEMADE VERSION	1 gallon of vinegar $1.39.
YOUR SAVINGS	You save $79.51. WOW! 1 gallon of vinegar will give you the same amount as 25.6 bottles of rinse aid.

HOMEMADE CLEANERS

Floor Cleaner

HOW TO	Add 1/2 cup vinegar to a gallon of water. Add essential oil for scent. Scrub or mop floor with mixture.
THE STORE BRAND	Mop & Glo 16 oz = $3.79
HOMEMADE VERSION	About .08 cents per use.
YOUR SAVINGS	You save $3.37 in four uses of the homemade floor cleaner.

HOMEMADE CLEANERS

Furniture Polish

HOW TO	Mix 1/4 cup olive oil or mineral oil with 4 Tbls. white distilled vinegar and 2tsp lemon juice. Pour into a squirt or spray bottle and shake well before using. The olive oil will add needed moisture to your wood while the vinegar will clean it. Any unused portion should be stored in the refrigerator as the lemon juice can sour after awhile. In place of the lemon juice you can use 20-30 drops of lemon essential oil without the need to refrigerate.
THE STORE BRAND	Pledge Extra Moisturizing Lemon Wood Polish 12.5 oz = $3.99
HOMEMADE VERSION	.50 cents
YOUR SAVINGS	You save about $2.00 by making your own.

My two favorite cleaners... that I use throughout my home take a little more effort, but the results are worth it. Both of these recipes are found in Karen Logan’s book Clean House, Clean Planet. They do require a trip to the health food store once in awhile. The supplies you buy will last for quite a few refills though.

HOMEMADE CLEANERS

All Purpose Household Cleaner

HOW TO	This works wonderfully everywhere. Clean your fridge, your table, the walls and the garbage can. You will need a clean 16 oz trigger spray bottle. From the health food store you need- Castile soap, this is an all natural soap made from vegetable oils. If you cannot find a Castile soap, a mild dishwashing liquid such as Ivory or Palmolive may be substituted. In areas with hard water you will need to buy distilled or purified water from the grocery store. The minerals in the hard water will inhibit the soap’s ability to work. Borax, vinegar and an essential oil, if you wish will, round out your shopping list. In a two cup glass measuring cup mix 2 Tbls of white distilled vinegar and 1 tsp of borax. Add 1 cup of hot water and stir until the borax is dissolved. Let this mixture cool a few minutes and then pour into the spray bottle. Add more water to the bottle leaving enough room to add 1/4 cup of castile soap OR 1/8 cup of liquid dishwashing detergent. To scent, add 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil. The scent will not be as pure when mixed with an already scented dishwashing detergent. Because this cleaner does contain a small amount of borax it is slightly toxic. Be sure to label it accordingly.
THE STORE BRAND	Fantastik All Purpose Cleaner 32 oz = $3.19
HOMEMADE VERSION	.31 cents
YOUR SAVINGS	You save $2.88 each time you refill.

HOMEMADE CLEANERS

Disinfectant

HOW TO	My other favorite cleaner is a disinfectant that uses the antiseptic power of tea tree oil. This can be found at the health food stores with the essential oils. This wonderful cleaner is great on hands, toys, toilets, and even in the laundry. Great on doorknobs and sink handles when the flu hits your home. I keep some in each of my bathrooms. To make, fill a 16 oz trigger spray bottle almost to the top with water. Again use purified or distilled water for the best results. Add 3 Tbls of castile soap and 20-30 drops of tea tree oil to the water. Shake to mix.
THE STORE BRAND	Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner 22 oz = $2.99
HOMEMADE VERSION	.95 cents
YOUR SAVINGS	You will save $2.04 each time you refill.