Recipes for Homemade Cleaning Products

Homemade cleaning products are a great way to save money and most will help to protect the environment also. The ingredients are simple and inexpensive. You’ll be amazed at how well these work and wonder why you are paying grocery stores $3-$4 for one cleaner.

Glass Cleaner

1 quart of water

½ cup of white vinegar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

A drop or two or blue food coloring (optional)

Put in a spray bottle, spray and wipe!

All Purpose Cleaner

½ cup vinegar

2 teaspoons Borax

½ gallon water

This will store for a long time in a plastic bottle or glass jar. Use on showers, counter tops, walls and floors.

Furniture Cleaner and Polish

½ cup warm water

A few drops of lemon oil

If the furniture piece is not sealed or varnished:

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons olive oil or baby oil

Silver Cleaner

2 tablespoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 quarts very hot water

Put a sheet of aluminum foil over the bottom and sides of a flat glass or plastic baking type pan. Sprinkle the silver pieces with the baking soda and cover them with very hot, salted water. Soak until the water stops bubbling. Then rinse with hot water and polish the silver with a soft cloth. (May not work with all types of silver)

Floor Wax Stripper

1 gallon cold water

2 cups ammonia

½ cup powdered floor cleaner

Apply with sponge mop. Let stand for 15 minutes or so, then sponge with clear water. Do not use on wood floors.

Oven Cleaner

Baking soda – 8 oz. Box

2 tablespoons salt

Water to make a paste

Apply to dirty parts of oven. Let stand for an hour or longer, then remove the paste with a metal spatula and wipe clean. Stubborn spills will need additional scrubbing with fine steel wool or a copper scrubber.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

¼ cup baking soda

1 cup vinegar

Pour into bowl and let stand for 15 minutes. Then scrub and flush. Once it is clean, you can add ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide into the tank to keep in clean and the water free running.

Bathroom Cleaner for Mold

½ cup hydrogen peroxide

1 cup water

Spray on the moldy areas, let dry for at least an hour. Then rinse with clear water.

Lime Deposit Cleaner

½ cup white vinegar

2 cups water

Pour in teakettle and boil for a few minutes. Then rinse with clear water. Run through a coffee making cycle in your coffee maker to keep it clean and free running.