Simple, Frugal Cleaning Recipes

Giving your home a good cleaning doesn't have to include harsh chemicals and fumes. Your house can shine without harming your health or hurting your wallet. 

It's easy to make your own cleaning products at home with just a few simple ingredients. Natural, homemade cleaners cost pennies on the dollar making them a very economical choice. Here are some excellent recipes to try. To make these cleaners you will need the following

mason jars or other glass containers for storage

baking soda

vinegar

vegetable-based / biodegradable

100% pure essential oils

water

Air Freshener

photo and recipe credit

1 jelly jar with lid (I like Ball)

1/4 cup baking soda

5-6 drops of your favorite essential oil (I like lavender)

hammer

nail or small screw driver

Add baking soda and essential oil in to mason jar. Secure lid on to top. Using a hammer and nail poke holes in the top of the lid. Place on shelf or near trash can, wherever odors are a problem. If scent wanes just give the jar a gentle shake to reactivate scent.

Natural "Soft Scrub"

1/4 cup Borax

1 cup baking soda

1 tablespoon biodegradable liquid soap (I like Seventh Generation and Dr. Bronner's)

10 drops lemon or peppermint essential oil

In a jar add Borax, baking soda and liquid soap. Add water, stirring in to a thick but pourable consistency. Add essential oil.

Can use on bathtubs, counters, sinks ... anywhere you have a stubborn stain.

Antibacterial Spray

1 cup white vinegar

3 cups water

10 drops tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract

1 teaspoon biodegradable liquid soap

10-20 drops lavender or lemon essential oil

Using a 1-quart spray bottle, add all ingredients and give a gentle swirl to mix. Spray on hard surface. Wipe clean.

- - - - Vinegar & Baking Soda Recipes - - - - 

Toilet Cleaner

1 cup baking soda

2 cups white vinegar

Pour baking soda into toilet. Add vinegar. After the fizzing stops give the toilet a good scrub with a toilet brush. Flush.

Drain Cleaner

1 cup baking soda

2 cups white vinegar

boiling water

Pour baking soda down drain. Pour vinegar down the drain. Let fizzing die down. Flush drain with a pot of boiling hot water. Removes residue and odors from drains.

Mold & Mildew Killer

Spray full-strength white vinegar on to a mold or mildew stain. Let sit for about 15-20 minutes. Scrub and rinse. Vinegar is antibacterial and will kill the mold. To help remove the stain use the soft scrub recipe.

Hard Water & Soap Scum Remover

The natural soap scrub recipe (above) works wonders at removing build up and residue. Vinegar is another great choice as it dissolves residue. Try this recipe

1 cup white vinegar

5 drops tea tree oil

Spray on affected area. Let sit 5-10 minutes and wipe clean. For preventative use spray and let air dry.

Do you have a favorite cleaning recipe? Share your recipe below!