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Why use homemade cleaners? When you use your own homemade cleaners, you are
being kind to the environment, and not exposing yourself or family to any unknown, hazardous chemicals. Homemade cleaners are also cheaper to use! Here are some good recipes for creating your own:
Basic Laundry Detergent
1 Cup soap flakes
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
Soft Water Laundry Detergent
1 cup soap flakes
1/4 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
Hard Water Laundry Detergent
1 cup soap flakes
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
Liquid Laundry Detergent
1 cup of any of the above mixes
2 Tbs glycerin
2 cups warm water
For all the detergent recipes, mix all ingredients and store. To use, measure 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of the mix
and add to the laundry. Launder as usual. Each of these recipes yields approx. 12 oz. Note: You can buy glycerine at many health food stores.
Remove-All Laundry Stain Remover
Five gallons of very hot water
1 cup powdered Cascade or generic equivalent
1 cup Clorox II or generic equivalent
Mix together and use while hot to pretreat stains. Works great on food stains, and removes virtually
anything! Always test on an inconspicuous spot, first. Whenever you want to use it again, heat the solution up first. Store in a tightly covered container.
Homemade Pretreating Stain Remover
1/2 cup ammonia
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
2 Tbs liquid soap
2 qts water
Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray the liquid onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Launder as usual.
Homemade Scouring Powder
1 cup baking soda
1 cup borax
1 cup regular salt
Combine the three ingredients and keep them in a tightly closed container. Use as you would any commercial scouring powder.
Fiberglass Cleaner
1 cup borax, vinegar to moisten.
Place borax in a bowl or
container, add vinegar to moisten. Using a rag or sponge, rub borax mixture into the fiberglass, until clean. Rinse well.
Tile Cleaner
1 cup washing soda
Using a sponge or rag, rub washing soda onto the tiles, and rinse well.
Window cleaner
½ tsp liquid soap, 3 tbs vinegar, 2 cups water, spray bottle.
Combine the ingredients and put them in the spray bottle. Use like any window cleaner. Tip:Use newspaper to dry your windows. It's cheaper than paper towels and it leaves windows shiny and streak free.
Disinfectant scouring powder
1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup borax.
Blend ingredients in a blender. Use as any scouring powder (baking soda doesn't scratch)
Multipurpose cleaner
1 tsp. borax, ½ tsp. washing soda, 2 tbs. vinegar or lemon juice, ½
tsp. liquid soap, 2 cups very hot water, spray bottle, food coloring (optional).
Combine all the ingredients in a Pyrex measuring cup (or directly in the spray bottle). Add the hot water and gently shake the spray
bottle until all the ingredients are dissolved and mixed. Spray onto the area you want to clean, and wipe off with a sponge or cleaning rag.
Where to find the Ingredients
Fels-Naptha® Laundry Soap Bar: This soap is made by the Dial Soap Company, so any store that carries Dial should be able to get it for you. If they carry it, it will be found in the bar soap or laundry soap aisle at your regular supermarket. It is typically found on the bottom shelf. If you can't find it in your area, substitute Ivory Soap instead.
Super Washing Soda: Washing Soda can be found on the laundry detergent aisle of your supermarket. It comes in a 55-ounce yellow box. Baking soda SHOULD NOT be used in place of washing soda, as they are completely different products, although they are both made by Arm & Hammer.
Borax: One brand name is 20 Mule Team® Borax. It is also found on the laundry detergent aisle. I have found this at Super Wal-Mart.
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