Grow Your Own All-Purpose Cleaners and Scrubs

Introduction

Cleaning and disinfecting your home doesn’t have to mean using harsh chemicals or spending a lot of money. With just a few simple ingredients found in your kitchen, you can make effective, all-purpose cleaners and scrubs right at home. Not only are homemade cleaners gentler on the environment, they are also more economical and safer for your family’s health. In this article, I will provide recipes and instructions to create versatile cleaners and scrubs using common household items.

Benefits of Homemade Cleaners

There are several key advantages to making your own cleaners rather than relying on store-bought products:

• Cost Savings: Homemade cleaners only require a few inexpensive ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap. This can save you money compared to buying multiple commercial cleaners.

• Reduced Chemical Exposure: Many conventional cleaners contain harsh chemicals and toxins. Homemade cleaners use gentler ingredients that get the job done without exposing your family to nasty chemicals.

• Customization: You can tweak homemade cleaner recipes to suit your specific needs and preferences. Store-bought cleaners are one-size-fits-all.

• Environmentally Friendly: Homemade cleaners avoid plastic waste from bottles and reduce your carbon footprint by limiting packaging and shipping. The ingredients are also biodegradable.

Equipment/Ingredients Needed

Making DIY cleaners is simple because you likely already have most, if not all, of the supplies needed:

• Glass spray bottles: For storing and spraying liquid cleaners.

• Castile soap: All-natural liquid soap that acts as a surfactant and cuts grease.

• White vinegar: Acidic vinegar dissolves dirt, kills bacteria and removes stains.

• Baking soda: Sodium bicarbonate acts as a gentle scrubber and neutralizes odors.

• Essential oils (optional): Add antiseptic, antibacterial or nice scents. Lemon, lavender and tea tree oil are ideal.

• Water: Useful for diluting concentrated cleaners.

All-Purpose Cleaner Recipes

Here are some simple homemade cleaner solutions for all around the house:

Basic All-Purpose Cleaner

This versatile cleaner can be used on most surfaces.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1⁄4 cup white vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup liquid castile soap

Instructions:

1. Mix ingredients together in a spray bottle.
2. Shake gently before each use.
3. Spritz directly on surface and wipe away with a damp cloth or paper towel.

Disinfecting All-Purpose Cleaner

To kill germs, add some tea tree essential oil.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1⁄4 cup white vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup liquid castile soap
• 15 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

Follow same steps as basic all-purpose cleaner. The tea tree oil adds antimicrobial properties to disinfect surfaces.

Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner

For a fresh citrus scent, use lemon essential oil.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1⁄4 cup white vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup liquid castile soap
• 15 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

Follow same steps as basic all-purpose cleaner. The lemon essential oil provides a bright, uplifting scent.

Scrubbing Cleanser Recipes

For tougher cleaning jobs, make one of these homemade scrubbing solutions:

Baking Soda Scrub

Baking soda slightly abrasive texture lifts dirt.

Ingredients:

• 1⁄2 cup baking soda
• 5 drops essential oil (optional for scent)
• Water as needed

Instructions:

1. Mix baking soda with enough water to form a thick paste.
2. Add essential oil if desired.
3. Apply paste to surface with a damp sponge or cloth.
4. Scrub before rinsing clean.

Creamy Soft Scrubber

Castile soap gives this scrub more cleansing power.

Ingredients:

• 1⁄2 cup baking soda
• 1 tablespoon liquid castile soap
• 5 drops essential oil (optional)
• Water as needed

Instructions:

Follow same steps as baking soda scrub, adding the castile soap to the paste. The soap helps remove grease and grime.

Conclusion

Creating your own all-purpose cleaners and scrubs is simple, affordable and better for you and your home. Next time you need to tidy up, skip the store-bought chemicals. Instead, mix up one of these eco-friendly homemade solutions for a clean, green house.