Homemade cleaning products

 

One way that I have been trying to save money around our home is by making my own cleaning supplies. Starting out, my plan was solely to save money, however, my focus has shifted slighly to making products that are a bit safer for my children or better on my appliances. My first attempt at making my own products was a couple years ago. I found a recipe for homemade laundry detergent. At first I was skeptical and I really missed the heavy perfume smell to my clothes but it didn't take long to change my mind. My clothes are cleaner and because the recipe that I use has no suds, I know that it is bette on my washer.

 

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap    -for front and top load machines

4        cups hot tap water

1        Fels-Naptha soap bar

1        Cup –Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda

½   Cup Borax

 -Grate bar soap and add to saucepan with 4 cups water. Stir continually over med-low heat until soap is completely dissolved.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full with hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-NEXT DAY- Stir soap, it will be a little lumpy. Fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use (it will gel a little.)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 cup per load (approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machine- ¼ cup per load (approx 640 loads)

 

 

I have an HE machine and I use this and have no problems! I do use a little more than it calls for in some loads such as smelly towels or heavily soiled clothes that the kids have played in outside. This will last you so much longer than a large bottle of tide.

 

 

I also have made All-purpose cleaner that I use in a spray bottle. I have made only one recipe and it has lasts probably 6 months. It is not soapy and it doesn't leave a film. Now, cleaning the floors I leave to my old friend, Vinegar! My mom used it when I was growning and I use it now. The smell leaves something to be desired but I can overlook that, it cleans so well and leaves no sticky film on the floor.

 

 

My mother-in-law put two recipes in our church cookbook that I like to use also.

 

Thrifty Window Cleaner

1/2 cup rubbing alcohol

1 1/2 tsp. annomia

1 1.2 tsp. liquid dish soap

 

Mix the three ingredients together in a quart bottle. Fill the quart bottle to the top with water and shake vigorously. Pour the mixture into a squirt bottle. Use it to clean windows, mirrors and porcelain.

 

Outdoor Window Cleaner

1/2 gallon warm water

2-3 T. laundry or dishwasher detergent

1 T. Jet Dry

 

Mix ingredients. Brush or sponge on window. Immediately hose off. Water will sheet off, no drying necessary. (Be sure windows are tightl closed.)

 

I LOVE making my own cleaning products and I do save quite a good deal of money. If you are interested in some other recipes you make check out my pinterest cleaning page.

 

http://pinterest.com/chriskimaberle/cleaning/

 

Thanks for reading!

K. Aberle