UPcycle | 5 Easy and Eco-friendly DIY cleaners

As we make our way into the first throes of spring and the sun begins to shine through the windows, suddenly all of the dust and grime that has collected during the dark winter months is revealed.

Instead of running for the cleaning products aisle at your local grocery, try going green for your spring clean. Easy, cheap DIY cleaners can replace those costly and harsh name-brand products.

It’s true. Do-it-yourself cleaners might use a little more elbow grease to create, but in the long run you are saving 2/3 the money you would spend on store-bought products. And you get to keep the Earth happy, your home smelling good and your family away from toxic fumes and sprays.

Personally, I enjoy making these products. It’s fun, somewhat like cooking (there are recipes involved) and I get to customize the cleaners the way I want. It’s also a great way to create detergents for those of us who have sensitive skin.

The supplies are cheaper in bulk, so most often if you run out, you’ve got some backup ingredients to whip up a new batch. You can pick up most of the supplies listed below on the laundry detergent aisle. Dr. Bronner’s can be bought in some grocery and big box stores and online in bulk.

So roll up your sleeves and commence to creating your greener cleaning products!

 

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Twinkle’s Top 5 Green Cleaners:

What to buy:

1 bar of Fels-Naptha
Liquid castile soap, like Dr. Bronner’s
Large box of Borax
Large box of washing soda
Large box of baking soda
1 gallon of distilled white vinegar
2 gallons of distilled water
A few large lemons, oranges and grapefruit (for zest and juice)
Fresh rosemary sprigs, rose petals or other herbs
Essential oils, if you want to add scents to detergent
Plastic spray bottles (buy these new)
2 1-gallon plastic container with a handle, or 2 recycled 1-gallon milk jugs
2 empty coffee cans, or canisters with plastic lids

Cost: approx. $25

Liquid Laundry Detergent
1/3 bar Fels Naptha
½ cup washing soda
½ cup borax powder
2 1-gallon plastic containers with a handle
10 cups hot water
1 gallon + 6 cups distilled water

Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan.

Add 6 cups water and heat it until the soap melts. Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of distilled water and stir. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel. Use ¼ cup for a large, top-loading machine load. This recipe will work for approximately 120 loads.

*You can add essential oils if you want a fresh scent, like lavender or jasmine oil.*

All-Purpose Cleaner
Good on all surfaces except wood floors and furniture

3 tbs. white vinegar
3 tbs. lemon juice
3 tbs. liquid Castile soap
3 tbs. Borax
3 cup distilled water
1 sprig of crushed fresh rosemary, some crushed rose petals and/or orange zest
Small plastic spray bottle

Combine ingredients in a spray bottle, shake and let sit. You’ll need to shake before use. The longer the herbs sit, the stronger the pleasant smell becomes.

Window Cleaner
1 tbs. liquid Castile soap
3 tbs. lemon juice or grapefruit juice
½ white vinegar
3 cups distilled water
Small plastic spray bottle

Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake before use.

Pro-tip: This worked GREAT on my greasy stove top.

Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Liquid

Pour the following ingredients into a recycled plastic bottle with a squirt-top and shake until thoroughly incorporated.

Tub and Surface Soft Scrub
For ceramic tubs and sinks, laminate counter tops

1/4 cup baking soda
2-3 tbs. liquid Castile soap
Coffee can, or plastic canister with lid

Combine in a plastic canister and mix until smooth. Apply with cloth to surfaces you want to clean, rinse and remove.
 

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Twinkle VanWinkle ponders, creates and discovers cool stuff about music, movies, food, fashion and so forth. Her thoughtful writings and interactives give great advice about healthy food, cooking tips, DIY projects, fashion and more. She’ll teach you a thing or two about music as well. Along with producing dynamic entertainment content for LIN Media, she is a mother, musician and social media fanatic.