Some homemade, cheap cleaners

[Ms. Clear]

I'm new to the board and I thought I would share some of my favorite recipes for cleaning the house.

1) General cleaner: 2:1 Vinegar and water add 10 drops eucalyptus oil.

2) Shoe Deodorizer: 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp vodka (or grain alcohol), 10 drops tea tree oil, 10 drops lavender oil

3) Window cleaner: 2 cups water, 3 tbsp vinegar, 1/2 tsp of castille soap

4) Furniture polish: 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 tsp olive oil (this doesn't spray well, so I keep it in an old glass jar)

5) Air freshener: Fill a mini spray bottle (travel size) with water. Add five or so drops of lavender oil, depending on how strong you want the scent to be.

I use spray bottles for the first three items. I got them all at Walgreens. They aren't great quality, a garden supply place might be better.

The essential oils aren't that cheap, but they last forever. At least a year for each tiny bottle. Castille soap is also a little pricey, but it lasts for a long time. I use Dr. Bronners. It really cuts down on what you have to buy at the store. I buy super cheap Bon Ami, those magic eraser things and dish soap. That's about it.

Anyone else have cleaning recipes?

[Cricketlegs]

I take an old renusit fabric spray bottle and fill it with water and add 1/4 to 1/2 bottle of essential oils from WALMART at $2 a bottle.

It makes a great STRONG freshener--I have pets--and cost .50 to $1 a bottle to make as the oils are cheap at walmart.

Get them in the potpori section in crafts.