Yes, cleaning is a mundane chore, but it doesn't have to give you a headache—from chemicals, anyway! Making your own green household cleaners is easier than you might think. All you need is a few ingredients you probably already have at home. Here are three recipes for do-it-yourself cleaners that are equal parts effective, eco-friendly, and easy on the wallet.
1. Excellent Homemade 3-Ingredient All-Purpose Cleaner [Apartment Therapy]
Combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, two cups water, and one cup hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Suitable for a variety of cleaning tasks, this all-purpose solution can tackle everything from grimy windows to greasy stovetops. According to the pros at Apartment Therapy, the key to this recipe's effectiveness is the hydrogen peroxide, which is said to be a more powerful cleaning agent than vinegar.
2. DIY Tub/Shower Cleaner [Fabulessly Frugal]
If you have blue Dawn liquid soap and vinegar, you can tackle tough soap scum in your bathroom. Simply heat 12 ounces of white vinegar in the microwave, pour it into a spray bottle, add 10 ounces of blue Dawn, then gently shake the mixture. The key here is to use blue-colored Dawn; don't substitute another dish detergent.
3. Easy Laundry Soap [Potholes and Pantyhose]
This DIY version of laundry detergent will cost you a mere $.05 per load. The recipe requires one bar of Ivory soap and two cups of super washing soda and borax. You'll also need a blender or cheese grater for shredding the soap.
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