Save Money by Making Your Own Cleaning Products

By Heather Canter

Spring is here which means it's time for annual spring cleaning preparing your home for family and guests for warm weather barbecues, Sunday dinners and more. It can end up costing quite a bit of money; however, if you make some of your own cleaning supplies and follow a few simple tips, your costs can be cut considerably.

Don't underestimate the power of plain water and mild dish soap. A mild dish soap can be used for laundry stains, window cleaner, carpet stain remover and to clean various surfaces. Before you reach for the heavy duty stuff, see if it will remove the stain you're fighting.

Save money by avoiding the need for extra strong cleansers. Doing a little cleaning each day helps keep big messes from becoming the toughest job you'll face this year.

Store brand products are much lower in price, but not necessarily lower in quality than name brands. Many of the name brand products have the exact ingredients as the store brand, meaning you're only paying for the name. When you're shopping, compare ingredients, if they're the same, go with the store brand. You'll save money and the cleaning will be done just as well.

Coupons can help lower your shopping bill and are often overlooked. A $.50 coupon may not seem like much, but when you add that to other coupons you have and any savings card the store offers, you can end up saving up to $20 or more. Just remember, every little bit adds up.

To see how much you'll actually save, for every coupon you use, place that change into a jar. After a few months of coupon usage, you'll see the savings and can use it to splurge on yourself or your family.

To find coupons, visit websites for product manufacturers, stores, magazines or just search on-line for coupons for your favorite products. Local store websites include: www.walmart.com, www.dollargeneral.com, www.dollartree.com, www.foodlion.com, www.lowesfoods.com and www.ingles-markets.com. You should also check with smaller stores around town that may have specials and lower prices on the items you need.

Another simple tip is to buy only what you need. If we could check people's cleaning cabinet, or closet in some cases, we would probably find many products that can do the same job. Look for cleaners that can do multiple jobs and only buy specialty cleaners for messes that can't be cleaned with the other products you have.

When choosing the cloths, mops and rags you clean with, use old t-shirts that were headed for the trash. They can be re-used and washed and last for a good long while after they're past their worn date. If your husband, wife or child just can't part with that ratty t-shirt you've been eyeing as your next cleaning pal, look for microfiber cloths. They are relatively cheap, can be re-used and are perfect for dusting, scrubbing and more.

A big way to save money is to make your own cleaners. Many things around your home can be used, including vinegar, lemons, baking soda and more.

Vinegar is like an all-purpose cleaner. You can mix one part water to one part vinegar in a new spray bottle and have an excellent cleaner for most all of your home cleaning projects. Vinegar is also a disinfectant and a good deodorizer. Anytime you begin cleaning projects, always test a small area to make sure your product won't fade or mess up the fabric or area you're cleaning. Many websites warn to never use vinegar on marble surfaces and to remember that vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Don't worry about the vinegar smell, it will fade away once it dries.

Vinegar can also serve as a natural fabric softener. Add a half cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of fabric softener. It breaks down laundry detergent more effectively and is also helpful for families who have sensitive skin and do not tolerate detergent well.

Lemon juice has served as a cleaning staple for many years. It can dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. It is also good to clean and shine brass and copper. Mix it with vinegar and or baking soda to make a good cleaning paste. You can also cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces and stains. Mix one cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have furniture polish for hardwood furniture. Don't forget about the peel. It can be put through the garbage disposal, freshening the drain and the kitchen; the same goes for orange peels.

Baking soda is also a nice deodorizer. Most people keep a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors, but it can be used anywhere you need to keep odors down. It can also be used as a commercial abrasive cleaner. The laundry room is also a great place for baking soda. It can help remove stains and soften laundry.

Add a half cup of baking soda to the wash when you add your regular liquid detergent. The baking soda can give you whiter whites, brighter colors and odor free clothes. In place of fabric softener, add ½ cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle. It is a natural softener and is gentle on those with sensitive skin. Adding baking soda to the rinse water also helps remove odors from clothes.

Baking soda is also good with accidents that occur in the washing machine. If you find bubble gum or other candy has been washed with your laundry, you can use baking soda and a plastic tool to clean the stuck on mess.

Blood stains are a nightmare to remove, but hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant that is very effective at taking care of these nasty stains.

Be very careful about mixing cleaners and always use a new, clean bottle, which can be purchased cheaply, many times for $1. Be sure that you aren't closed in a room with cleaning chemicals. Open a window or door to make sure there is plenty of ventilation. Chemicals can be very dangerous and possibly fatal. And, as a side note, don't add vinegar and baking soda in the laundry at the same time.

Old newspapers, especially old Ashe Mountain Times editions, work great to dry mirrors after cleaning, but don't forget to read the paper first because you never know what kind of information you will find.

One final tip, fabric fresheners can run you anywhere from $4 and up, but you can make your own. Mix four tablespoons of an ultra liquid fabric softener with water in a new plastic spray bottle. You can use scented fabric softener or try an unscented brand with a few drops of your favorite oils. Mix it well and test an inconspicuous spot before you use it on the entire shirt.