Courtesy of knowledge I've gained from my good friend Kelly Franklin...some awesome ideas on how to save money by making your own cleaning products...
Window Cleaner
Supplies Needed: 1 spray bottle, dish soap, water, squeegee (optional)
1.) Add three drops of your favorite dish soap to your bottle.
2.) Fill with water.
3.) Shake, shake, shake!
*Dish soap is supposed to leave glasses and dishes spot-free. It works just as well on windows and mirrors! If you have a Squeegee, that works best to get a really streak-free window or mirror. However, I've used paper towels, and they also work well. My sister-in-law recommends newspaper, too.
Wood Cleaner/Dusting Spray
Supplies Needed: 1 spray bottle, Murphy's Oil or any other floor cleaner, water, old rag
1.) Add two or three squirts of Murphy's Oil to your spray bottle.
2.) Fill with water.
*Murphy's Oil is obviously intended for wood surfaces. It gives it a sheen and also protects the surface. However, you don't need as much if you are just dusting your shelves. So this spray works nicely to shine up your wooden furniture, shelves and even spot-clean your floors.
Counter Cleaner
Supplies Needed: 1 spray bottle, white vinegar, water, old rag
1.) Add 1/4 cup vinegar to your bottle.
2.) Fill with tap water.
*Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that is also dirt (ha - pun intended) cheap. If you don't care for the smell of vinegar, keep these two facts in mind: 1. the smell only lasts a short time and 2.) you can add essential oil to the spray to mask the vinegar smell.
Bathroom Cleaner
Supplies Needed: 1 spray bottle, bleach, water, old rag
1.) Add 1/4 cup bleach to your spray bottle.
2.) Fill with water.
*Bleach is a timeless agent used in killing the really tough stuff. This spray works very well on sinks, toilets and showers. If you are not a fan of bleach, you can actually cut the amount in the spray down by half - just let it sit longer so that your surfaces are truly disinfected.
Dingy Whites
Supplies Needed: lemon juice, sunshine
1.) Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to your washing machine's rinse cycle.
2.) For added whiteness, hang your whites on a clothesline in the sun.
*The acidity in lemons is infamous for gently lightening many things. I thought this was a super way to get old t-shirts that have lost their brightness to shine once again.
Other great disinfecting agents:
citric acid (think citrus fruits), thyme, tea tree oil, baking soda (acts as a super-duper sink and toilet cleaner), mouth wash (if it kills the bacteria in your mouth, it'll kill pretty much anything)
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