How to Make Natural Cleaning Products

By Mary Gormandy White

Mary Gormandy White

As a communication expert and budget-friendly cooking enthusiast, Mary shares tips and ideas for frugal living.

Bucket, sponge, rubber gloves and cleaning product — Common household items can be used to make many inexpensive natural cleaning products.

If you're looking for an easy way to reduce expenses and help balance your household budget, consider learning how to make natural cleaning products. You'll be surprised to find out just how easy and affordable making cleaning products really is. As an added benefit, homemade cleaning solutions provide an easy way to incorporate environmentally-friendly practices into your daily life.

Supplies Needed for Natural Cleaning Products

You probably already have most of the ingredients you need to begin making your own cleaning supplies. Common household items often used for natural cleaning products include:

Lemon juice
White vinegar
Baking soda
Rubbing alcohol
Cornstarch
Olive oil
Salt
Hydrogen peroxide
Talcum powder

Borax is also used in many natural cleaning product recipes. Look for it in the laundry section of your local grocery store.

Natural Cleaning Product Recipes

Learning how to make your own natural cleaning products is surprisingly easy. To get started, try the following recipes:

Window cleaner: Clean your windows with a mixture of 1/2 cup vinegar to one gallon of water. For even greater savings, use old newspapers instead of paper towels to dry your windows. You can also use this same homemade window cleaner mixture to dust your furniture.
Dishwasher detergent: Clean your dishes by using two tablespoons Borax pre-dissolved in water. Add a small amount of vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Carpet freshener: To make a homemade carpet deodorizer, combine two tablespoons cornstarch, 1/4 cup perfumed talcum powder, and 3/4 cup baking soda in an old spice container. Sprinkle the mixture on dry carpet and let stand 5-to-15 minutes before vacuuming.
Furniture polish: Mix two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice to make a simple homemade furniture polish. Apply with a soft cloth.
Shower cleaner: Scrub your shower with full-strength vinegar, then use baking soda as a scouring powder for stains and tough soap scum. Rinse thoroughly with clean water when finished.
Toilet bowl cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda into your toilet, then add a small amount of vinegar before scrubbing with a toilet brush.

How To Make Natural Cleaning Products Work for You

Natural cleaning products offer many benefits. For example:

Natural cleaning products offer an easy to save money. It's not unusual for a family that purchases commercially-prepared cleaning supplies to spend $30-$50 per week on dishwasher detergent, window cleaner, and other household necessities. When you make your own cleaning supplies, you save money because you're not paying for a company's advertising or marketing costs. Your only expense is the cost of ingredients.
Natural cleaning products are made from ingredients that you probably already have in your home. When you learn how to make natural cleaning products, you'll never have to run to the store to buy cleaning supplies again!
Natural cleaning products are safe and non-toxic, which makes them an ideal choice for homes with small children or pets.
Unlike commercially-prepared cleaners, natural cleaning products don't contain chemicals that can harm the environment. When you learn how to make more natural products, you'll be doing your part to preserve the earth for future generations.