Hopefully all this de-cluttering is getting you all excited for the deep, deep cleaning that is going to happen soon! I don’t know how it is for you, but with every box of stuff I get rid of I feel like another little load has been lifted off my shoulders. We are still going to take some time in the next week for more weeding and purging, but in the meantime I thought it would be a good idea to also start gathering some of the necessary tools you’ll need to get your space spic & span.
I have always had a bad habit of thinking that more cleaning supplies would result in a cleaner house. At one point we had so many mops and brooms in our broom closet that my husband finally exploded in exasperation: “You do realize that none of them actually clean the floor for you, right?” he snapped.
The thing is, until he said that, I actually thought they might.
As hard as it was to finally accept the sad reality that there are no magic mops, I am happy to report that we are now down to one broom, one dustpan, and one mop in our broom closet, and that is just exactly enough.
A key component of The Big Spring Clean is to STOP bringing in more things, so I am going to challenge you to use the supplies you have on hand as you complete this challenge. If you–like me–have accumulated mass quantities of cleaning supplies, use those up before you run out and buy something new. Using what you already have is about as green & thrifty as you can get.
For anything you do still need, you might be surprised to discover that you probably already have the right ingredients right in your own kitchen or laundry cabinet. I have been amazed to find that a combination of just a few common household products that can tackle almost every cleaning task. In fact I’ve discovered that just 10 different products–most of which I already have on hand–can be combined in 10 different ways to make 10 different awesome, green, & super thrifty cleaners. 10x10x10….how cool is that?
Here is my magic list of 10 essential green & thrifty cleaning products:
white vinegar baking soda lemons and/or lemon juice salt olive oil Ivory bar soap liquid dishwashing soap washing soda borax essential oils (I like lemon, lemongrass, & eucalyptus){P.S. These tools are also handy to have around}
clean rags scrub brush or sponge squeegee empty spray bottles & lidded containers broom mop vacuumAnd here is how to use them!
1. Bathroom Cleaner:
3/4 c. baking soda juice from 1/2 a lemon (about 1/4 c) 3 tablespoons salt 3 tablespoons liquid dishwashing soap 1/2 cup vinegar 10 drops essential oil (optional)Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl to make a paste; use scrub brush or sponge to apply to tub, shower walls, & sinks. (Be sure to test a small area to make sure paste does not scuff tub surface; if so, eliminate the salt from the mixture! Rinse well with water and a wet rag, then dry with a clean rag or old towel.
* * *
2. Toilet Bowl Cleaner:
1 cup baking soda 1 cup vinegar 10 drops essential oil (optional)Turn off flow valve to toilet & flush 1 or 2 times until water is drained. Pour in baking soda, then slowly pour in vinegar, being sure to get vinegar to cover as much of the bowl surface as possible, then add essential oil. The baking soda will react with the vinegar–this is normal! Use your toilet brush to scrub surface & remove any rings or stains. Turn water back on and flush.
* * *
3. Furniture Polish
3/4 cup olive oil juice from 1/4 lemon 1 tablespoon vinegar 3-4 drops lemon essential oil (optional)Dampen rag & squeeze out excess water. Dip damp rag into furniture polish, the wipe on surface of furniture. Buff off with an old dry towel. Can also be used to polish stainless steel!
* * *
4. Glass Cleaner
1 1/2 cups vinegar 1 1/2 cups water 5-10 drops essential oil (optional)Mix vinegar, water, & essential oil together in spray bottle. Spray on glass & use squeegee, crumpled newspaper (Tip: use newspapers that are at least 2 weeks old to avoid black fingers!), or a lint-free rag to get a streak-free shine. Also works well to shine chrome and countertops after you’ve disinfected them.
* * *
5. All Purpose Cleaning Spray
Whisk all ingredients together well in large bowl, then pour into spray bottle. Spray on, then wipe surface clean with a damp cloth. Can be used to clean and disinfect almost any surface!
* * *
6. Stainless Steel Cleaner
2 tablespoons baking soda 1/2 cup vinegar 2 cups warm waterMix ingredients in spray bottle. Mixture will foam up; when it stops bubbling, put on cap and spray stainless steel surface, then wipe clean & dry with lint-free rag. To add extra shine, use furniture polish above.
* * *
7. Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
1 cup baking soda 1 cups borax 1/2 cup salt vinegar (add to rinse compartment!)Mix first three ingredients well & store in airtight container. To use, add 1 tablespoon to each of the 2 compartments in your dishwasher and 2 tablespoons of vinegar to your rinse compartment.
* * *
8. Floor Cleaner
1 cup vinegar 1/2 cup baking soda 8-10 cups hot water 1 tablespoon borax 1 tablespoon washing soda 30 drops essential oil (optional)Mix vinegar & baking soda together in bucket; add hot water, Borax, washing soda, & essential oil and mix until all powder is dissolved. Use mop or sponge to wipe down floor; wipe dry with clean dry towel.
* * *
9. Homemade Laundry Detergent
1 bar Ivory soap 1 cup borax 1 cup washing powderThis homemade laundry detergent is so cheap and easy to make that you will kick yourself for not trying it until now. Place Ivory soap in a large microwave safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes, until soap turns to foam. Quickly stir foam until it becomes small soap chips, then mix well with borax and washing powder. Allow to cool completely, then store in airtight container. Use 1-2 tablespoons per load. (Tip: This detergent works best in warm or hot water; for cold water washing you may want to first dissolve in 1/4 c. of hot water.)
* * *
10. Fabric Softener
vinegar essential oil (optional)Add 1/4-1/2 cup vinegar with several drops of your favorite essential oil to the rinse cycle (or simply place in fabric softener compartment of your front load washer.)
* * *
So that’s it….10 ingredients mixed up 10 different ways to create 10 different cleaners. Are you psyched yet?
And finally, I thought it would be fun to put together a little 10x10x10 green & thrifty cleaning products cheat sheet for you. This printable page includes the list of all 10 ingredients plus all 10 recipes so you can hang it on your fridge or laundry room or wherever is most handy. You know, just ’cause I’m just nice like that! :-) Please feel free to Pin It on Pinterest or share it on Facebook!
{Get Free Printable Green & Thrifty Cleaning Products Cheat Sheet}
Miss something? Check out the entire Big Spring Clean series:
Part 1: Clearing the Clutter Part 2: Green & Thrifty Cleaning Products Part 3: Cleaning from Top to Bottom Part 4: Conquering the Kitchen
* * *
How’s your own Big Spring Clean coming along so far? Are you ever guilty of buying more cleaning products in the hope that they will clean your house for you? Do you have any green & thrifty cleaning product tips of your own to share?
* * *
Bloggers, don’t forget:
Pin ItAffiliate links may be used in this post. Printing a coupon or ordering a product through this link may result in a commission, which helps pay for the cost of running this site and keeps the content free. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Michelle March 13, 2013 at 7:49 am
I am a former housecleaner, so I love this post! I used to spend alot of money on cleaning products that would come out of my profits. Now that I am home, I try to not buy so many cleaning products and am currently trying to use up the ones that I have. Thanks for the cheat sheet! I am a procrastinator at heart and this will help alot. Have a great day!
Ruth Soukup March 13, 2013 at 9:02 am
Yay! I am so glad to hear you like it Michelle! I’d love to hear your “professional” opinion after you give some of the recipes a try!
carrie March 13, 2013 at 8:04 am
Just a comment to say: LOVE the new format. Very clean and organized!!
Ruth Soukup March 13, 2013 at 9:02 am
Thank you Carrie!
Candace March 13, 2013 at 8:26 am
Love this list and the simplicity!
I have been cleaning a lot with just a vinegar and water mixture. I want to try adding some lemon and baking soda to my repertoire! What are you using to dust? That is one thing I have still been buying that I’d like to replace.
Ruth Soukup March 13, 2013 at 9:06 am
Thanks Candace. Truthfully, I usually use one of those Swiffer dusters most of the time for just light daily dusting. I know it isn’t super green, but I find that one little pad will last a long time–usually a month or two. I’ll also sometimes just use a damp cloth. The furniture polish recipe above is AWESOME for wood–makes it SO shiny!
candace March 14, 2013 at 10:01 am
Maybe this is a dumb question, but would you dust with the polish??
Jenny March 13, 2013 at 9:19 am
This is so great, thank you!
Sarah March 13, 2013 at 9:24 am
Do you think these cleaners really work as well? It is hard to believe it could be this simple!
M March 13, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have been wanting to make my own products forever, but there are SO many recipes! I have been having a difficult time figuring out where to start; this is perfect!
Linda Grooms March 13, 2013 at 2:49 pm
Visiting from Money Saving Mom. Love your cheat sheet!!! I use the same laundry detergent, though I usually use a different bar soap. I wash mostly in cold water. Is there something that you noticed that made you decide to wash in warm/hot or dissolve the soap first?
Sheri Cost March 13, 2013 at 4:28 pm
I have been making my own cleaners and soaps for a long time. I have found that if you add unsweetened lemonaide kool aid to the dishwashing soap you do not have to worry about white film. It is the cirtus acid that cuts that film. Thanks
Suzanne Holt March 13, 2013 at 5:28 pm
Although I use chemical free cleaning products I have considered using some of these homemade remedies. My concern is that the lavender oil (which I LOVE the scent) will leave spots. Has anyone experienced that before?
kate@katemarrin March 27, 2013 at 1:47 pm
As the mom of three (!) severe asthmatics I will vouch for the importance of keeping chemicals out of our homes and the lungs of our little ones. Thank you for promoting a green lifestyle Ruth! I cannot wait to try the home made laundry detergent and fabric softener!
VelmaD April 7, 2013 at 8:38 am
I love the simplicity of your list and chemical-free cleaning has long been my personal goal. The recipe that caught my attention was the stainless steel cleaner and I will try it today!
Do the essential oils serve a function other than the nice scent? I do 95% of my cleaning using only water and Norwex microfiber so anything with oils will have to be adapted. I’m curious whether the oils leave a film on furniture which will actually attract dirt.
(Candace: I can recommend a product to solve your dusting woes. Contact me or check my website.)
Claudia April 7, 2013 at 11:19 am
Hi,
Love it when people make their own Cleaning products! I try and incorporate a lot off essential oils in my Cleaning it makes everything smell , but also has so many benefits such as clearing the air, several are antifungal, antiseptic, antibiotic etc. I do try and not use Borax, as it is proven to be very harsh for the skin and even toxic. In several european countries it is even banned, so I am surprised to find it in so many US recipies for natural cleaning products.
web host in pakistan April 17, 2013 at 3:07 am
hello there and thanks on your info ? I’ve definitely picked up anything new from proper here. I did on the other hand experience some technical points the usage of this web site, as I skilled to reload the site a lot of times prior to I may get it to load properly. I had been thinking about in case your hosting is OK? Now not that I am complaining, however slow loading circumstances occasions will sometimes impact your placement in google and could damage your high quality rating if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I am including this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot extra of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this once more very soon..
produkty pszczele April 24, 2013 at 1:56 am
There is certainly a lot to know about this topic.
I like all the points you have made.
Joy April 29, 2013 at 5:27 am
Great recipes…I was looking for a homemade dishwasher soap…thanks so much
Maureen April 30, 2013 at 9:13 am
Planning to clean our gigantic stainless steel barb-b-q this weekend. This will come in handy!
Carissa April 30, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Thanks for the great post and recipes! I featured you today on Creative Green Living
Anonymous May 16, 2013 at 11:23 am
Thanks for the recipes. I am heading to the grocery store today.
Catriona May 22, 2013 at 7:49 am
I read this on Wikipedia:
Borax was added to the Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) candidate list on 16 December 2010. The SVHC candidate list is part of the EU Regulations on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals 2006 (REACH), and the addition was based on the revised classification of Borax as toxic for reproduction category 1B under the CLP Regulations. Substances and mixtures imported into the EU which contain Borax are now required to be labelled with the warnings “May damage fertility” and “May damage the unborn child”.[22]
I’d like to try and find some home cleaning solutions that don’t include Borax! In Germany they do not sell Borax – it is considered an unsafe chemical.