Frugal Tips

Household Cleaning Mixtures

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 Melissa Smallwood (aka Multi-tasking Mama) has worked with seniors and families as a professional organizer for several years and is the owner of Organized Life by Design, LLC. She has an extensive human services background. She is also the mom of three active boys (one of which has special needs). She enjoys helping people get their lives, calendars and homes organized so that they have time to see and enjoy their blessings! Melissa also has a passion for cheap yet chic home décor and has many resources available for decorating your home on a budget. Melissa has written many articles on organizing for various websites and organizations including Online Organizing.com, Show Mom the Money, Ask Baby Kid, Dr. Mommy Says, Sassy Mamas, Pink Lemonade of Life and more.

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Our bodies are our temple. As such it is a sacred place. But, on a daily basis we are polluting our systems with the chemicals we use in our home and on our jobs. While it is eco-friendly, using cleaning products made from all natural ingredients will also detoxify your home and your bodily temple.

Homemade cleaners are not hard to make. Where do you think the idea for many of the modern cleaning products came from? It is a matter of science at work. Something that is acidic will eat away at whatever is on a surface. It could be paint or dirt. Since we are talking about cleaning products, we’ll go with dirt.

Gritty, abrasive substances will clean and remove dirt from the surface as well as cracks and crevices. Store bought cleaners have other components besides the main cleaning ingredients. Companies come up with substances that will eat away the dirt and soap scum but also burn your mucous membranes and make you cough.

We often have the ingredients for our homemade cleaning solutions right under our noses. They are effective and they cost less than more commercial brands. Your primary investment will be in spray bottles to hold your cleaners but those will pay for themselves with frequent use. Most of these are nothing new and you may have seen your mother or grandmother use them once upon a time.

Household Cleaning Mixtures

· Baking soda and vinegar – unclog a drain (can use Alka-Seltzer instead of baking soda)

· Ammonia and water – clean windows

· Water and herbal essential oils – air fresheners

· Vinegar and cornstarch-clean windows

· Lemons – cuts grease

· Borax and washing soda – clothes washing powder

· Hydrogen peroxide – disinfectant and a bleach

· Citrus essential oils and water – disinfectant, cuts through grease, cleans wood flooring

Homemade cleaning mixtures can be mixed in small batches and remade when needed. Even kids can help you clean when using products that are safe for you and the environment. Still, use your cleaning products in a well-ventilated environment.

Household cleaners are an economical way to keep your house germ free and smelling wonderful. Essential oils can be purchased online or from a store that sells herbal preparations. You’ll want to be sure that the only ingredient in the bottle is the oil.

See how quickly the air in your home becomes easier to breath. With a good scrub brush, cloth, and rag, you can use these products effectively all over the house. If you could use better products that are cost effective, why not create a few at home?