Frugal Cleaning Supplies: Affordable Homemade Cleaners

Frugal cleaning supplies generally aren’t store-bought cleaning supplies. Learn how to make your own homemade cleaners.

Drain cleaner- Have a stinky kitchen drain? Just dump a box of baking soda down your drain, and pour vinegar overtop of it. Together the two ingredients will create a foaming reaction that does a great job of cleaning and sanitizing your drains.

Have a disposal? If so, lemons are another effective sanitizer. Just grind up several lemon peels for an instant drain freshener.

Dishwasher rinse aid- Replace expensive rinse aid products with vinegar; it’s just as effective at preventing water spots on your glasses and will also help to keep the heating components in your dishwasher clean. To use, simply fill the rinse aid compartment with vinegar, and run your dishwasher as usual.

Scrubbing/ Stain removal- Mix up some baking soda and water to create a paste, and you’ve got the perfect non-toxic scrubbing agent to use around the house—sinks, counters, anywhere that needs a good scrub. Since baking soda is a natural stain remover, this paste is excellent for removing tough stains too. Just coat the stained surface with the paste, and allow it to sit for a little while. Then, remove it, and the stain will be gone.

Mold/Mildew- Tired of expensive and harsh tub and tile cleaners? Just pour some hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle, and use it to spray down any visible mold or mildew in your shower. Allow it to sit for a short time, and it will eat away any mold present.

Window cleaner- Forgo expensive window cleaning products; vinegar works just as well as anything you can buy at the store. Simply fill a spray bottle with vinegar, and use it to clean the windows and glass surfaces in your home. For a streak-free shine, wipe surfaces clean with newspaper instead of paper towels.

Mopping solution- Vinegar can also be used as an effective mopping solution. Simply mix vinegar and water together in a bucket, and use it to wash all of the hard floor surfaces in your home—even sealed hardwood!

Laundry booster- Forget about fancy laundry boosters. If you want to get your laundry cleaner, just add a bit of baking soda to your wash loads. It will help to brighten and deodorize your dirtiest clothes.

Important Safety Considerations

Making your own cleaning supplies is a great way to save money, but you shouldn’t put your health at risk to do so. Here are several important rules to follow:

• Never mix store-bought cleaning agents together. Ammonia and bleach mixed together create a dangerous combination.
• Don’t attempt to “doctor” store-bought cleaners. You don’t want to inadvertently create a dangerous mix.
• Never reuse a spray bottle—unless you’re refilling it with the same cleaner.
• Always label homemade cleaning supplies. You may know what the container contains, but others may not.

Go Frugal

Homemade cleaners can save a tremendous amount of money, while reducing the toxins present in your home. Give a few of these cleaning ideas a try, and you’ll be amazed at how effective they can be.

~Erin Huffstetler

Erin Huffstetler is a freelance writer specializing in frugal living tips and tricks. Her work has appeared in numerous print and electronic publications including Family Circle, Guideposts For Kids and Pregnancy. As the stay-at-home mom of two young kids, Erin is always looking for new ways to live better for less.