7 Recipes for Natural Homemade Cleaners

Multipurpose Cleaner

1. In a spray bottle, combine 3 cups water, 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol, 
1 tsp. clear household ammonia, 
1 tsp. liquid dish soap and 1/2 tsp. lemon juice. Shake well before each use.
2. Spray onto countertops, kitchen appliances and fixtures, and tile or painted surfaces. Wipe down with a clean cloth or damp sponge.

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Window & Glass Cleaner

1. Mix either 2 Tbsp. ammonia in 
2 qts. warm water or 1 cup white vinegar in 1 qt. of water. Place in 
a spray bottle.
2. Spray onto windows or other glass surfaces and wipe away using a microfiber cloth (or piece of newspaper) in an S-shaped pattern.

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Dish Soap

1. Grate a bar of pure soap, such 
as Ivory, on the coarse side of a kitchen grater to measure 1/4 cup.
2. Place 11/2 cups hot water in a pitcher; stir in soap flakes with 
a fork until dissolved. Cool for 
5 minutes, then stir in 1/4 cup glycerin ($5) and 1/2 tsp. lemon essential oil.
3. Cool. Use the fork to break up any congealed parts, then pour 
the liquid into a squirt bottle. Use 
2-3 tsp. per sink or dishpan of hot water to hand-wash dishes.

Our favorite tool for cleaning pans is so cute it’ll make you smile.

Liquid Fabric Softener

1. Mix 2 cups each baking soda 
and white vinegar with 1 qt. water. Store in a plastic bottle with a lid.
2. Add 1/4 cup softener to laundry’s final rinse cycle.

Two stacking sweater racks ($14 each) are a laundry game-changer. Use side by side for drying dresses. Nest them together and slide under the bed when not in use!

Homemade Dryer Sheets

1. Prepare liquid fabric softener (on the previous slide) in 
a wide container with a lid. Dip a washcloth into mixture; wring out.
2. Add cloth to the dryer with a load of damp clothes.

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Hardwood Floor Cleaner

1. In a large saucepan, boil 1 qt. water. Remove from heat and add 
6 peppermint tea bags. Let steep 
for 2 hours.
2. Pour tea in a mop pail. Add 1 qt. white vinegar, 2 Tbsp. baby oil and 1 tsp. liquid dish soap (commercial or homemade). Stir to combine.
3. Dip a clean mop into the cleaning solution, wring or squeeze it out and clean house. The tannins in the tea attack dirt without damaging the floor finish.

Scratches, be gone! This touch-up kit ($9) makes wooden floors and furniture like new.

Furniture Polish

1. Combine equal parts vegetable 
oil and lemon juice. Mix well; pour into a spray bottle.
2. Spray onto finished wooden surfaces, then polish with a soft cloth. Refrigerate up to 6 months.

Color-code your cleaning cloths for different tasks. This microfiber 12-pack ($10) comes in 3 bright colors. Keep two in the car for windows and leather.

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