DIY Cleaners

There is no need to spend a fortune to clean your house.  You can make lots of cleaners for pennies from things you probably have on hand.  Bonus, less chemicals in your home!

*If you have granite countertops this is a must.  Don't buy expensive cleaners when you can make it in seconds and it works great!

GRANITE CLEANER

Pour 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle.  Add 3 drops dish soap and swirl GENTLY to mix.  Fill bottle VERY SLOWLY with water.  Try to avoid making suds.

Spray on granite and wipe with a soft cloth.


*If you have kids (or you yourself are super clutzy, like me) you need to pretreat laundry stains.  This recipe for homemade "Shout" works like a charm.

HOMEMADE SHOUT PRETREATER

1/2 cup ammonia
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
2 TBS Dawn (dish soap)
2 quarts water

Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle.  Spray on stain and let sit for a few minutes.  Launder as usual.

*If you have pets, you've probably had to clean up a urine stain (ewww).  If you have carpet, that smell can linger and be totally gross!  This method worked great for me. But, please test it on an inconspicuous area to be sure it doesn't discolor your carpet.

PET URINE STAIN CLEANER

1/2 cup peroxide
1 tsp Dawn (dish soap)
Baking soda

First, soak up as much urine as possible with an old towel!  This is VERY IMPORTANT!  Mix peroxide and Dawn.  Set aside.  Sprinkle a good amount of baking soda over the stain.  Pour peroxide solution over area. Scrub well. Let sit 10-15 minutes.  Vacuum thoroughly.  Repeat as needed.


*If you have a wooden cutting board, you know cleaning it can be tricky.  Soap and water will dry it out and cause it to crack.

The best way to clean it is with a cut lemon.  Rub the cut side of the lemon over the board then wipe with a clean damp cloth.  If you have a stubborn stain, pour a little kosher salt on it before scrubbing with the cut lemon.  Then wipe.  Once completely dry, rub a little olive oil on it to keep it conditioned.

*After you've used that lemon to clean your cutting board, don't throw it away.  Put it in your garbage disposal and let it rip.  This disinfects it and gets rid of odors!

*Here's a great way to get odors and stains out of your DISHWASHER:

Empty the dishwasher.  Fill a glass measuring cup with white vinegar and place it right side up on the top rack.  Run a hot water cycle.  Then, remove the cup.  Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda on the very bottom of your empty dishwasher.  Run another hot water cycle.

Worked great on my stainless steel dishwasher and on my Mom's plastic dishwasher as well.


*Microwave splatters can be a real problem.  You don't want to use chemicals where you put your food.  So how do you get it clean?  Here's an easy way:

Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1 cup of water in a microwave safe cup (I use a glass measuring cup).  Microwave on high for 2 minutes or so, until very hot and steamy.  Let it sit in the closed microwave for 5 minutes (longer if really gunky).  The steam will help loosen the gunk.  Then, wipe clean with a scrubby sponge dipped in the soda water.  Wipe off with a clean damp rag.


Making your own cleaners is super easy to do and can save you a lot of money.  It's also good for the planet.  No down side.