How to Make DIY Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products at Home

On a whim my two brothers and their girlfriends are coming into town to go see a big football game. One of them had been given tickets to the game, and of course, it’s close to where I live. So, I, of course, offered my place for them for the weekend. No big deal normally. And then the dilemma ensues. With buying a new car, I am pretty much living paycheck to paycheck and now I am about to have company. I get paid on Friday. Next Friday. So, I don’t have a ton of money to spruce up the place. You can see my dilemma now.

I have to clean, but do not have the funds to really do what needs to be done. So, I came up with an idea. Back when I was in college I was as broke can be. And when it came time to eat, my roommate and I had to be creative. We took inventory of all the foods we had in our apartment. Then we would look up any recipes that included our inventory. And whatever came the closest is what we would make. Sometimes this was a brilliant meal, and other times, um, not so much. Better than calling my parents for money though.

So, time to do the same thing with cleaning products. Take inventory. I had a mite-as-well-be empty bottle of Windex. A I-added-water-to-an-empty-bottle of dish soap in hopes that I didn’t need more soon. A travel size bottle of shampoo. You get the idea. I had nothing really.

I turned to the internet. What products do I have in my house to use as alternatives to expensive cleaners? The answer: Eco-Friendly Cleaning

Do I have baking powder? You know what I do. It’s in my fridge.

Sprinkle it on the carpet and vacuum. That was easy. Refreshed the room nicely too.

Do I have vinegar? Yes I do. I needed it for my slow-cooker when I made pulled pork.

Take the baking soda apply it to the kitchen countertop. Add a few drops of vinegar and watch it foam. Then wipe with a cloth.

Put a bit of baking soda in the toilet. Add the vinegar. Watch it foam. Let it sit a few minutes and with your toilet brush wipe it down and it’s clean.

Do I have lemons? I had one lemon. I could use it to clean my windows, but opted to cut it into quarters. Boil it until the house smells fresh, then take the leftovers and a few ice cubes and put in the garbage disposal. Turn on the disposal and the kitchen sink smell is gone, as well as the blades have been sharpened.

Who knew? This didn’t cost me anything. I might now spend a whole ten dollars a year on cleaning. Who knows? There’s some other cool stuff out there too. With a spray bottle you can mix water with the vinegar, a dash of baking soda, and a few drops of lime juice. Now you have glass cleaner, counter cleaner, bathroom cleaner, carpet clean; this list keeps going.

So, if you have Surprise Company coming into town, I hope this advice helps. Or if you have the money to spare hire a professional at Think Maids DC! When I’m able, I hire them to put my home back into tiptop shape!