Homemade Cleaners & Stain Removers

Everything around us needs cleaned at some point and commercial cleaners can be pricey, especially when you purchase one for each individual chore. Many commercial cleaners have harsh chemicals that can damage fabrics, woods or painted surfaces, and how will you know for sure that they won’t do any damage unless you test them in a hidden area? You don’t. So I have found that the safest, easiest method for avoiding high-priced cleaners and getting the best value when it comes to cleaners and stain removers is to simply make your own. You know what has gone into the cleaner, and homemade cleaners can be made in larger quantities so that you really get a bang for the buck. However, some stains do require a commercial cleaner, and I have listed a few of the best ones for removing tough stains. Another way to save money is to keep old empty cleaning bottles for future use of your homemade cleaners. An old Murphy’s Oil Soap bottle is perfect for homemade furniture polish.

*TIP* When mixing various homemade cleaning concoctions, remember to never mix bleach with ammonia or vinegar, it smells horrible, and it is dangerous!

Homemade Cleaners

Furniture Polish: ½ cup of vegetable oil mixed with 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Use a soft, clean white rag.

Window Cleaner: ½ cup of ammonia, ½ cup of white vinegar and 1 gallon of water.

Surface Cleaner: 1 Tbsp. of ammonia, 1 Tbsp. of Cascade detergent, and 1 ½ cups of water.

Fabric & Carpet Cleaner: 3 Tbsp. of Hydrogen Peroxide and 1 Tbsp. of ammonia. Dip a clean white soft rag into mixture and blot the stain.

Oven Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda completely on the bottom of the oven. Spray warm, clean water to dampen the baking soda. Depending on how dirty the oven is, continue spraying water to keep the baking soda wet. Leave over night, then wipe clean.