From the estimated $25 (spending on bleach, chemical cleaners and spray) to under $5, these are some inexpensive cleaning products, which are as effective as those robbing the grocery budget.
These simple items are the natural, chemical free cleaners and will clean, sanitise and freshen your entire home, including the laundry!
Soapnuts or Soapberries
They are a great substitute for commercial products. They function like any regular washing powder or liquid and are very easy to use: put some berries into a wash bag, tie the bag and drop it in the washing machine before the wash starts.
These used berries can later be kept for at least the next three wash loads. You can tell that it is time to replace the soapnuts with new ones when the color has turned greyish and no natural soap substance comes out of it.
A kilogram of soapnuts can last for approximately a year, which means that they cost way less than cleaning products we see on ads.
You can also prepare your own liquid hand soap by boiling 1 cup of water for every 2 soapberries in a pot. The most important benefit of using soapberries is that these soapnuts have been proven to be hypoallergenic, free from pesticides and other chemicals.
Lemons
These fruits are another popular cleaning agent due to its acid and scent. Simply cut it in half and rub it over pans, pots and other cooking utensils. To get rid of tarnish, dip the slice in some salt before rubbing.
Combining some lemon juice and boiling water is also a popular way to remove stain and odor from plastic, melamine, and ceramic dishes. Simply soak the plates and plastic ware for three hours before the wash.
Deodorizing drain, microwave and dishwasher can be done with either lemon peels or juice. In addition, lemons can function as bleaching agent: add one cup of lemon juice to a pot of boiling water, then soak white clothes overnight.
Baking soda
It is an eco-friendly cleaning substance and deodorizer. Rinsing fruits and vegetables with water and baking soda removes wax and dirt. Putting a few tablespoons in the fridge in a small container with no lid helps keep your fridge odor-free.
It does not only save things in the kitchen, but it also helps reclaim white painted walls and removes smell from carpets and stuffed toys as well as mildew in the bathroom.
To ‘repaint’ the walls, you will simply need to mix equal amount of baking soda and water, then apply the mixture, wait for it to dry and wipe.
Scrubbing bathroom surfaces with baking soda and a damp sponge will get rid of mildew and make the room sparkling clean.
Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar with its 5 per cent acidity works like commercial cleaners. With no coloring, this type of vinegar surely does not leave any stain. It is known to clean glass materials by mixing two parts vinegar and one part water.
White vinegar softens your clothing just as well as a fabric softener, and only costs a few cents to use. Add 1/2 cup to every wash for beautifully soft clothing.
Salt
You’ve probably heard about cleaning with baking soda, vinegar, and lemon. But ordinary table salt salt can be a powerful household cleaner for the kitchen, bathroom, and more.
Thanks to its granular texture, salt has the power to do a lot more than season your dinner.
Below are some other easy instructions to make use of the natural, environmentally friendly substances.
All-purpose cleaning liquid
What you’ll need:
- a half cup of soapnut liquid
- 1 cup of tap water
- 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
- 4-6 drops of tea
All-purpose cleaners are used for cleaning floors, furniture, toilets, bathrooms and kitchens. All the ingredients for this DIY all-purpose cleaner should cost you no more than $5.
Oven cleaner
What you’ll need:
- one forth cup of baking soda
- few tablespoons of water
- 1 teaspoon of salt
Add water bit by bit until the mixture becomes a paste. Apply the paste to the entire inside of the oven and leave it overnight. The next day, scrub and wipe the oven with a damp cloth.
You probably already have the salt and baking soda needed for this solution, but if not, they cost approximately around $3 combined.
Metal drain cleaner
What you’ll need:
- baking soda
- white vinegar
- boiling water
When dealing with a clogged drain, pour some baking soda. Then, pour some vinegar. Leave it for 10-15 minutes. Finally, pour some boiling water to ensure that the drain has been unclogged.
You probably already have the white vinegar and baking soda needed for this solution, but if not, they cost approximately around $5 combined.
Mould and mildew remover
What you’ll need:
- white vinegar
- warm water (using a bottle spray is highly recommended)
Spray some vinegar on the moldy area. Leave it for 30 minutes. Then, rinse with some warm water and scrub it with a cloth.
Wooden cutting board stain cleaner
What you’ll need:
- coarse salt
- half a lemon
Use the coarse salt to cover the board. Later, scrub it with the lemon. The stain should start coming off within minutes. The final step is to rinse and dry the board.
Window Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- one forth cup of rubbing alcohol
- 1 cup of distilled water
- 2-3 tablespoons of white vinegar
To create this natural cleaner, first, pour the vinegar and rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle. Let those mix before you add the distilled water.
You can pick up all the ingredients for less than $6.
Carpet Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 2 cups of warm water
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 15 drops of your favorite essential oil
First, pour the vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Next, add the drops of essential oil and salt, and shake well.
You can pick up all the ingredients for less than $6.
Conclusion
These are just a few of our ideas. This is a great way to save tonnes of money on the cleaning products. So, if youare looking to save a little off your monthly expenses and protect your health, think about trying DIY cleaning products.
