CLEANING AREAS
INGREDIENTS
CLEANING YOUR HOME WITH HOMEMADE CLEANERS
It's pretty easy to make up your own cleaners rather than using store-bought mixes which have unknown ingredients. You might be doing it to save money or because commercial cleaners irritate you or because you just want to use fewer harsh chemicals in your home.
Save Money
In general, it's cheaper to make your own cleaners, although you may need to buy a few new things. But most people already having vinegar and baking soda around the house. Check the big box stores for larger containers than you might otherwise buy. Ammonia is usually easily found as well. I had to order my washing soda for the laundry detergent online, but even when calculating in the shipping costs, I still save a ton of money.
Eliminate Dyes and Scents
Many people find the extra dyes and scents in many commercial cleaners to be irritating. Not all of these recipes are necessarily "gentle" but at least you know what's going in them! If one irritates you, try a variation. There are usually multiple ways to clean things. In the laundry soap, for example, if you find that one bar of soap bothers you, just use a different one.
Lessen Your Use of Chemicals
There are a few different approaches to "going green." You might still prefer to buy organic and environmentally friendly commercial cleaners of some types but like making your own up recipes for other cleaners. Find the balance that works for you in terms of time, money, and effort.
