Are you tired of spending money on multiple cleaning products that take up a lot of space? Often, with just a few simple ingredients, you can make your own cleaning solutions at home. Most homemade cleaning products are a fraction of the cost and are typically better for your health¹ and the environment. Get started with these five everyday cleaning solutions:

1. Clean and deodorize your kitchen.² Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water in a spray bottle for a kitchen cleaner you can safely use on most countertop surfaces and appliances. It makes stainless steel shine and freshens up the inside of a refrigerator. 
2. Make your shower sparkle.³ Combine 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Place in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds then pour into a spray bottle. Spray, then let sit for three to five minutes before wiping clean.
3. Scrub your toilet bowl without toxic fumes.⁴ Use a glass bowl and wooden spoon to combine 2 cups of baking soda with 100 drops of a disinfecting essential oil, such as tea tree or lavender – this makes enough for about 30 cleanings. Transfer to an airtight glass jar, and store outside of the bathroom. To clean, place 1 tablespoon of the baking soda mixture into the toilet bowl then sprinkle more around the sides. Next, add 2 cups of regular 5% distilled white vinegar. The vinegar and baking soda should begin to foam. Scrub the bowl with a toilet bowl brush, let the solution sit for 15 minutes and flush.
4. Get smudge-free, fresh-smelling windows and mirrors.³ Mix 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and 5 drops of peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle. Wipe down with a microfiber cloth.
5. Clean surfaces naturally.⁵  Combine 3/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle with seven drops each of tea tree oil and lavender oil. You can swap the rubbing alcohol for distilled white vinegar, but do not use any vinegar solution on granite, marble, natural stone or hardwood.⁶

When making your own cleaning solutions, be sure to follow each recipe carefully to avoid damaging surfaces or mixing potentially toxic combinations. Baking soda, distilled white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap are the most common homemade cleaning product ingredients. Get that fresh, just-cleaned smell with the addition of lemon or essential oils. When combined, used alone or diluted with water, you can clean just about anything.

 

¹Cleaning refers to the removal of dirt and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but it may lower their numbers. For the latest disinfectant recommendations, please visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.

²Good Housekeeping – 9 Homemade Cleaners That Actually Work, According to the Experts

³Real Simple – 10 All-Natural Homemade Cleaning Solutions to Scrub Every Inch of Your Home

⁴BobVila.com – How To: Make Your Own Toilet Bowl Cleaner

⁵DIYNetwork.com – Easy Essential Oil Disinfecting Spray

⁶Reader’s Digest – 8 Things You Should Never Clean with Vinegar