5 Homemade Cleaners I Use Every Day

This summer while revamping my cleaning schedule I experimented with several homemade cleaners.  The result?  I’m never turning back.  Not only are homemade cleaners cheaper, they clean just as good and smell better.  And, I know that they are safer for my family.  That said, here are 5 homemade cleaning recipes that we use everyday…well, almost.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

This first recipe I shared last fall following a big commercial vs. homemade laundry detergent experiment.  I am glad to say we are still using this recipe faithfully and teamed with a vinegar pre-wash or softener cycle nothing works better.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

½ c. borax
1 bar Fels-Naptha
1 c. washing soda
3 gallons of water

For Instructions and to print the recipe, you can see the original recipe here.

Vinegar Dish Rinse

This one is super easy and really isn’t a recipe at all.  Just use distilled vinegar to fill up your dishwasher rinse dispenser.  That’s it!  And, if you ever have a load that needs some extra shining, toss an extra 1/2 cup directly into the dishwasher tub for good measure.  That usually does the trick.

Foaming Hand Soap

I suppose this one isn’t completely homemade, but it definitely saves time and money around here as my girls are at a stage where they need to wash their hands often.  Paint…sand…mud…pet slobber…you get the idea.  Without this little trick, I’d probably be going through a bottle of soap every week!

It’s simple, fill a foam soap bottle with one-third liquid hand soap and two-thirds water.  That’s it!  Instant foaming hand soap!  Oh and if you like a certain scent to your hand soap add a few drops of essential oil.  Our favorites are peppermint and lavender.

All-Purpose Cleaner

This recipe I first heard about on Money Saving Queen and was so glad I did because I had been on a search for a good homemade all-purpose cleaner for some time.   I have modified it slightly to better fit my needs, but with those slight alterations I now use this cleaner to clean everything from the kitchen cabinets to toilets.  It’s fantastic and also very easy to make!

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

2 Tbsp. distilled vinegar
1 tsp. borax
3 drops Dawn or other liquid dish soap
12 drops theives essential oil
12 drops orange essential oil

Mix all the above ingredients in a 32 ounce spray bottle and fill with hot water. Use as you would any all-purpose cleaner.

Floor Cleaner

Technically I don’t use this one everyday, but I still use it on a regular basis.   It is very similar to the all-purpose cleaner only on a larger scale and without thieves oil because thieves can have a negative effect on pets’ paws (we have an inside dog).

Homemade Floor Cleaner

1 cup distilled vinegar
1/2 c. borax
12 drops dawn or liquid dish soap
12 drops orange essential oil

Place in the bottom of a large bucket, fill half full with very hot water, and clean with your favorite sponge mop.