Home and Family

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

Brandy — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:48:54 GMT

CarolynWorl:
i'm going to have to get some lavendar oil when i have to make my own supplies to make me feel like they're the expensive stuff.

Lavender, tea tree, lemon and pine oils all have beneficial qualities making them worth adding them into cleaners if you can afford to get started on buying them.

Tea tree may be the cheapest to obtain. I get mine from Walmart. It's not the best brand or blend but it works and it's much cheaper there than at the store I get the other oils from.

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

CarolynWorl — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:57:42 GMT

I have to agree. vinegar is wonderful! i cleaned a friend's trailer that probably hadn't been really scrubed down cleaned in three years with spray bottle of water, vinegar, lemon juice and lemon peel (not the white part, just the skin). It took EVERYTHING off!! there was quite a bit of grease build up in the kitchen area and just dirt and grime that hasn't been wiped away in years; i sprayed my solution on and the grease and grim just melted off like one of those shower cleaner commericals. i used straight baking soda on a sponge on any area that needed a little more elbow grease.

right now i have high priced all natural cleansers under my skin still left over my glory days of not being broke and i love them! i'm going to have to get some lavendar oil when i have to make my own supplies to make me feel like they're the expensive stuff.

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

Luvd_Lioness — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:38:25 GMT

PinkLemonade:
My best tip to save money on cleaning supplies is to clean less often. hehe I have been using water more often than not, unless it is something I think really needs disinfecting. I'm trying to cut back on all of the harsh chemicals. I use A LOT of vinegar. I buy huge jugs of it at Costco.

It's not uncommon for me to walk out with 4 or 5 gallons so I can keep stocked up. It's my main cleaning component also.

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

PinkLemonade — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:00:59 GMT

My best tip to save money on cleaning supplies is to clean less often. hehe I have been using water more often than not, unless it is something I think really needs disinfecting. I'm trying to cut back on all of the harsh chemicals. I use A LOT of vinegar. I buy huge jugs of it at Costco.

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

mum2four — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:35:22 GMT

Within the last 6 months, I started making my own Windex type cleaner, which I use for cleaning,everything, including mirrors. It does a terrific job. Its vinegar, water and wintergreen rubbing alcohol. I read that for a window cleaner, to add cornstarch to it. Haven't tried that one yet

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

LJcoolJ — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:51:52 GMT

There is only one cleaner I use to clean pretty much everything in my house including shower, counters, toilets, sinks, etc. Its hydrogen peroxide. Cleans everything perfectly. Perfect for mirrors and glass too because it doesn't smear or smudge.

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

2ndGenGranola — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:32:48 GMT

The digital converter box coupons expire 90 days from the time they are mailed out so don't hang on to them too long or you will be out of luck. I would go ahead and get rid of the cable. That is on of the easiest money saver starters out there.

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

Brandy — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:17:01 GMT

truepeacenik:
I like using evergreen scents (pine, juniper, cedar) with an herbal top note or a citrus one.

I like to add tea tree oil to my cleaners for additional cleaning power so I use oils that work well with the scent of it. Pine, juniper, cedar, citrus and even rose oils appeal to me. I swap around on these depending on the season or holiday for a themed scent.

I make my own air fresheners with vinegar and water in a spray bottle. For these, I choose florals over the woodland or citrus fragrances. I like juniper, rose, gardenia and a fragrance oils called green tea and china rain. Again, I alternate by season and try to match these with the cleaner fragrances.

As I mentioned above, I do use some fragrance oils in addition to essential oils. I experimented with oils to find ones that don't irritate the allergies my family has and I am happy with our findings.

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

KateHC — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:34:06 GMT

Today I was writing up all of my home-cleaning stuff --recipes and so on--and realized I have completely replaced all commercial cleaners in my home. 14 recipes/tips in all!

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

truepeacenik — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:55:24 GMT

Brandy:

truepeacenik:
I get a LOT clean with vinegar and baking soda
And without the toxic fumes and risks of carcinogens. I am a nut about needing to smell and look clean. I solved my issues by adding essential oil to my cleaners and now a few years later, I actually equate the smell of vinegar with cleanliness so I feel it's clean!

I use soap based shampoo bars and in hard water land, that means using a water and vinegar rinse (basic chemistry remove calcium with an acid).

I use one-two drops in a 16 oz bottle that is 1:4 vinegar to water.

but I mop my floors with 1:2 or 1:3 ratio vinegar to water and about five drops of essential oils.

Guests always comment on the good smell. Usually by asking what incense I use (so stay away from patchouli unless you want your inner hippie to come out and play).

I like using evergreen scents (pine, juniper, cedar) with an herbal top note or a citrus one.

One friend who picked up my method uses jasmine, rose and even some fragrance blends.

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

KateHC — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:54:55 GMT

My favorite spot cleaning spray is 2/3rds water to 1/3rd vinegar in a spray bottle, with a glug or two of cheap shampoo. It takes anything off anything.

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

Tebaliah — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:38:38 GMT

We received coupons for digital TV converter boxes but didn't use them. The coupons do expire, but I believe they have a expiration date on them. The government changed the date to sometime in June, so it would probably be better to buy them early. If you think you may cut cable TV out, I'd go ahead and buy the converter box(es) now. Good luck with your situation.

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

Tebaliah — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:30:18 GMT

My "recipe" for bathroom cleaner (I normally use this on the vanity and mirror) is about half a bottle of rubbing alcohol, a few drops of dishwashing detergent and water. I hope your re-purposed spray bottles keep working. I've had problems re-using spray bottles. However, I've bought plastic spray bottles which have worked for years. Price of the bottles does vary depending on where you buy them. For windows that are truly grimmy, add corn starch to the window cleaner and it will take the grime off. Good luck with your financial situation. I hope your husband will find work soon.

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

slk2042 — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:13:03 GMT

Hi Lorilwayne,

I make my own laundry soap too. I think it works well for every-day cleaning. I still use a store-bought detergent as spot-cleaner though.

When I make my spray cleaner, I use equal parts vinegar and water, with a tablespoon of borax and a few drops of dish detergent. I fill an old Windex bottle.

lorilwayne:
I have 2 coupons for digital TV converters $40 off. That way I have them if we need to cut cable.

Don't wait too long to use the coupons. If I'm not mistaken, they expire after 30 days. Anyone else know for certain?

Re: Making own cleaning supplies today

Brandy — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:06:38 GMT

truepeacenik:
I get a LOT clean with vinegar and baking soda

And without the toxic fumes and risks of carcinogens. I am a nut about needing to smell and look clean. I solved my issues by adding essential oil to my cleaners and now a few years later, I actually equate the smell of vinegar with cleanliness so I feel it's clean!