How much time do you spend cleaning your house? Do you do it little by little each day or do you have a designated day of the week set aside to scrub from top to bottom? I prefer to try and knock out all of my cleaning in one day by going from room to room, but the two rooms in my house that I spend the most time cleaning are the kitchen and bathroom. Both rooms are “high traffic” areas and at times it seems like I will never be done cleaning the kitchen. The bathroom, on the other hand, may appear clean throughout the week but it still needs a good scrub down once a week to keep all the little nooks and crannies clean.
In recent years I have strived to make my home more eco friendly and making my own cleaning products is one way I have done that. Making your own cleaning products is not only better for the environment, but it is also safer for the health of your children and pets. My daughters and myself have sensitive skin, so we have always had trouble finding a laundry detergent that does not cause irritation. Ever since I started making my own detergent pods, we have not had any trouble. When I use harsh chemical cleaning products I always wear gloves to ensure I do not get any on my skin. Otherwise I usually break out. Since I am making my own cleaning products now, I can see exactly what is going into them and I am able to adjust the strength as needed. One more bright side of making your own cleaning products is no strong chemical smell. With most commercial cleaning products, I always open the windows to let it air out. But with the cleaning products I have made, the scents are really mild and I have the option to add essential oils if I like.
When I first started looking into making my own cleaning products, I was pleasantly surprised to find that almost all of the ingredients I would need were already in my pantry. The most common ingredient I use for cleaning is white vinegar. I would suggest buying a gallon of white vinegar if you can find it, otherwise you will run out sooner than you would like. If you do not have some of the ingredients listed below, you should be able to find almost all of them at the grocery store. I did have trouble finding citric acid so I had to order it online. I also bought a couple of spray bottles for the bathtub/shower cleaner and the glass cleaner.
For this post I am going to share the cleaning products I use that you can make yourself with the main focus being on cleaning products that are mostly used to clean the bathroom. To check out my past post covering how to make your own kitchen cleaning products click here.
Bathtub/Shower Cleaner
- Dish soap
- White vinegar
- Sponge
- Warm water
In a spray bottle add 1 part dish soap and 1 part white vinegar and gently mix. Spray the solution in your bathtub and/or shower and allow to sit for 30 minutes. Using a damp sponge wipe down the area and then rinse with warm water. For best results use at least once a week.
*This solution can also be used to clean countertops and the outside of the toilet.
**I prefer to use Dawn dish soap for this cleaning solution because it tends to lift grime or any other residue much better than other dish soaps.
Drain Cleaner
- Salt
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Boiling water
First, pour about 1/4 cup salt and 1/4 cup baking soda into the drain. Then pour 1 cup of warm white vinegar into the drain and let it bubble. (I just put the vinegar in a microwave safe container and microwave for 30 seconds.) When the bubbling begins to subside pour boiling water down the drain to rinse down debris. If you have a drain stopper in your sink or tub, it may be easier to clean if you remove the top of the stopper first. This method can be used once a month or as needed.
*This method can also be used to clean the drain in the kitchen sink.
Toilet Cleaning Pods
- Baking soda
- Citric acid
- Dish soap
In a bowl mix 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup citric acid together then gradually add 1 tablespoon of dish soap. Using an ice cube tray, add about 1 tablespoon of the mixture to each slot and pat down with your fingers to mold the pods. Allow to sit for at least three hours before removing from the tray and storing in a baggie or jar. When ready to use drop one pod into your toilet and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes as it bubbles. Use a toilet brush to scrub around the sides and then flush. For best results use once a week.
Glass Cleaner
- Rubbing alcohol
- White vinegar
- Cornstarch
- Water
In a spray bottle, add 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 2 cups water and 1 tablespoon cornstarch and mix gently. Spray mixture on glass or windows and wipe away with a dry cloth.
*Use this solution to clean all the windows in your home and the windows of your vehicle.
Grout Cleaner
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Dish soap
In a small bowl mix 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon dish soap together. Apply the mixture to the grout and allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before scrubbing. After all the grout has been scrubbed, use a damp towel to remove any residue. For best results clean the grout once a week until desired results are achieved.
*If you have an old toothbrush you can use that to scrub the mixture into the grout.
**If you have trouble removing all the residue with a damp towel you can follow up with a steam mop.
What are some other homemade cleaning products you would be interested in making? Let us know so we can try it out!
tulhoma & co. 
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