Making your own reusable cleaning cloths and scrubs is an easy and environmentally friendly way to reduce waste and save money. With just a few basic materials, you can create effective DIY cleaning supplies customized to your needs. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything you need to know to get started making reusable cleaning cloths and scrubs at home.
Why Make Your Own Reusable Cleaning Cloths and Scrubs?
Here are some of the key benefits of making your own reusable cleaning cloths and scrubs:
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Reduce waste – Disposable paper towels and cleaning wipes generate a lot of trash. Making your own reusable cloths eliminates this waste.
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Save money – Purchasing disposable cleaning supplies adds up over time. Making your own is very affordable.
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Customize – You can choose the fabric type, size, shapes and thickness to suit your cleaning needs. Add your preferred cleaners too.
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Control ingredients – By making your own, you know exactly what ingredients you’re using on surfaces in your home. You can avoid harsh chemicals.
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Effective cleaning – The texture of fabric cloths and scrubs makes them great at cleaning and scrubbing a variety of surfaces.
Materials Needed
Gathering the materials to make reusable cleaning cloths and scrubs is quick and easy. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Fabric – Cotton, microfiber, terry cloth and flannel all make good choices. Make sure it’s absorbent. Wash fabric before using.
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Scissors or rotary cutter – For cutting fabric to desired sizes and shapes.
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Ruler or measuring tape – For measuring fabric before cutting to ensure even sizes.
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Pinking shears (optional) – Help prevent fraying edges.
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Cleaning solution – Such as water, vinegar, castile soap or your preferred all-purpose cleaner.
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Spray bottle – For applying cleaning solutions to the cloths and scrubs.
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Essential oils (optional) – Add nice scents to your reusable cleaners.
Best Fabric Choices
The type of fabric you choose will impact the cleaning performance, absorbency and durability of your homemade cloths and scrubs. Here are top options to consider:
Cotton
- Very absorbent and affordable fabric
- Works well for general purpose cleaning
- Lint can be an issue with some cotton varieties
Microfiber
- Ultra-fine synthetic fibers are very effective at cleaning and trapping dirt
- Dries quickly and is very durable with proper care
- Avoid cheap microfiber prone to shedding lint
Terry Cloth
- Extremely absorbent with characteristic looped pile
- Excellent for scrubbing and absorbing spills or messes
- Launder gently to maintain absorbency
Flannel
- Soft fabric with absorbent qualities
- Gentle scrubbing ability good for delicate surfaces
- Avoid overly thick flannel which can leave lint behind
Cutting Fabric to Size
Determine the sizes and shapes you want for your particular cleaning needs. Some common options include:
- Square cloths – Cut 4×4 inches up to 12×12 inches. Good multi-purpose size.
- Hand towels – Cut around 16×24 inches. Large size nice for drying hands and cleaning.
- Scrub pads – Cut 4×6 inches. Excellent for scrubbing tough messes.
- Wipes – Cut fabric into rectangular shapes around 3×6 inches.
Measure and cut fabric using scissors, rotary cutter or pinking shears for finishes edges. Cut fabric pieces to the dimensions needed.
Consider making a combination of shapes and sizes to suit different cleaning tasks. Mixing up fabrics like terry cloth and flannel also adds variety.
How to Sew Reusable Cleaning Cloths
If you want to get a little more advanced, sewing your reusable cleaning cloths allows you to create tailored shapes, add extra scrubbing power and prevent fraying.
What You’ll Need
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Fabric
- Polyester batting (for extra scrubbing texture)
- Buttons, velcro or snaps (optional)
Sewing Steps
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Cut fabric to desired shapes and sizes. Cut batting to match.
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Place fabric pieces with right sides together. Place batting in between.
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Sew fabric around all edges, leaving an opening for turning right side out.
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Trim corners, turn right side out and press with an iron.
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Topstitch around the edges for a finished look.
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Add velcro, buttons or snaps to create folding cloths if desired.
Sewn cloths make wonderful homemade gifts too! Get creative with patterns and shapes.
Making Your Own Cleaning Solutions
The great thing about DIY cleaning cloths is you control the cleaning solution too. Here are some easy homemade cleaner options:
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Water – Hot water is a powerful green cleaner on its own.
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Castile soap – Just a few drops diluted in water makes an effective all-purpose cleaner.
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Baking soda – Gentle abrasive action cuts through grease and grime.
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White vinegar – Removes dirt and bacteria for cleaning and disinfecting.
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Essential oils – Add lemon, tea tree or lavender oil to add natural scents.
Use spray bottles to apply your homemade cleaning solutions to cloths and scrubs as needed.
Caring for Your Reusable Cleaning Cloths
With proper care, your homemade reusable cleaning cloths and scrubs will last for years. Follow these tips:
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Machine wash regularly – Warm water prevents buildup of dirt and bacteria. Use vinegar in rinse cycle.
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Line or flat dry – Avoid shrinking by skip the dryer and air dry cloths.
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Disinfect – Periodically soak cloths in dilute bleach solution to kill germs.
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Store cleanly – Designate an air-tight bag or bin for storing cloths between uses.
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Mend rips – Extend lifespan by sewing up any holes that develop with use over time.
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Make adjustments – Try different fabric types or cleaning solutions if you need more absorbency or scrubbing power.
Conclusion
Cleaning with reusable cloths and scrubs made from cotton, microfiber and other fabrics is an easy, affordable and eco-friendly alternative to paper towels and disposable wipes. With just scissors and fabric, you can customize cloths for all your cleaning needs. Add homemade cleaning sprays to tackle any mess! I hope this guide gives you plenty of tips to get started making your own reusable cloths and scrubs for a waste-free home.
