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.

 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!

 

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. 

 

 

 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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

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.

 

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.