Monthly groceries can often cost an average family a lot of money and as it turns out, many of the items on your grocery list can actually be made at home. Incorporating DIY products into your grocery list will cut down on your monthly grocery costs and can also contribute to helping the planet. Cleaning products are often expensive and consist of harsh chemicals that can irritate your family’s skin and damage the environment once it’s gone down the drain. Making your own cleaning materials at home can mean healthier cleaning materials for your family and the environment as well as saving you money.
If you’re in the process of trying to create your own cleaning materials and are in a sticky situation with no money for household items like cleaning materials, companies like Wonga offer short term cash loans that can help get you to payday. These need to be managed carefully and only taken out when in a dire situation.
BASICS
When making your own homemade cleaning materials, there are a few basics you’ll want to keep in your kitchen to make variants of household cleaning materials. These are;
– Baking soda
– White Vinegar
– Hydrogen peroxide
– Borax
– Essential oils like lemongrass, lavender or tea tree oil
– Castile soap
– Fresh herbs and citrus or citrus peels
– Olive oil or vegetable oil
– Water
THE BATHROOM
The bathroom can often breed a lot of bacteria due to the warmth and moisture that is so often present so keeping it clean is very necessary.
– Tub & Tile Cleaner
In a spray bottle, mix 1? cup baking soda with half a cup of vegetable oil-based liquid soap. Then add half a cup of water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Shake before using and spray onto tiles and the bath and clean with a cloth or sponge.
– Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Mix a quarter cup of borax or baking soda with 1 cup of vinegar in the toilet and allow to sit for about 15 minutes, or longer if necessary. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush.
– Mould/Mildew Remover
Combine half a cup of borax with half a cup of vinegar to make a paste and scrub on the mouldy area with a brush. Rinse well with water. For tougher mouldy areas, let the paste sit on the mould for about an hour and then rinse with water.
THE KITCHEN
Because the kitchen involves food and food preparation, it is essential to maintain a clean area to prevent food-borne illnesses in people.
– All-purpose Cleaner
In a spray bottle, combine 1 teaspoon of baking soda, half a teaspoon of dish soap and 2 tablespoons of vinegar and shake. Fill up with warm water and use on surfaces.
– Stove and Sink Cleaner
Mix ? cup of baking soda with a small amount of water to form a paste. Scrub your stovetop or sink area with the paste and a sponge until clean.
– Microwave Cleaner
In a bowl, mix 1-2 cups of water and one tablespoon of vinegar. Microwave the mixture until half the water has evaporated. Wait about 10 minutes for the steam to penetrate any dirt and grease in the microwave and then remove the bowl from the microwave. Scrub the walls with a small amount of baking soda on a sponge and then wipe down with a lukewarm cloth.
THE LAUNDRY
Washing powder can often be incredibly expensive and is used so often, especially with bigger families. Having a homemade laundry detergent can be cheaper and gentler on your family’s skin as well.
– Laundry Detergent
In a food processor, combine 1 cup of grated natural laundry soap, half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of borax. Store in a cool dry place and use 1 tablespoon of this detergent for lighter loads and 2 tablespoons for heavier loads or dirtier clothes.
TOP TIPS
When creating your own DIY cleaning materials, it’s important to remember that because your materials no longer have chemicals to preserve them, they could go stale or mouldy. Store your products in a cool, dark place away from moisture to keep them for longer.
Essential oils like lavender, tea tree and eucalyptus oil can be added to a variety of your DIY materials to give them a lovely smell. Adding an essential oil like tea tree to your washing powder can help soothe your family with the lovely smell.
Most of the ingredients listed above are inexpensive and can often be found in your nearby grocery store. Remember that Borax can be extremely dangerous if ingested so keep away from little wandering hands and curious small humans. Most of DIY cleaning materials are also not time consuming and can be made quickly and easily.
