Which is cheaper homemade cleaners or store bought cleaner?

[cody15650]

Is it cheaper to make your own cleaners or to buy them at the dollar store? Bought cleaners last a long time, but if you buy Borox & washing soda, they go a long way but cost enough to get. I want to know what all you think about this? Some times I think I'm just not getting enough for my money.

[Lori Biever-Launder]

I make widow/all purpose cleaner by mixing water and vinegar one to one. A gallon of white vinegar is about $1.50 and water is even cheaper. Compare this to Windex! This also has more uses since there's no coloring in it to stain carpets, etc.

[Jerseygirl]

I actually buy name brand products, stocking up with double and triple coupons and sales for less than .50 each, so it is not worth it for me to make own or even do dollar store.

[QuilterMom]

We don't have any stores here that offer double or triple coupons so it's much cheaper for me to make my own cleaners (I'm a big fan of the book Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan). I also feel more comfortable using homemade cleaners around my son and pets (some really eye-opening info in the book I mentioned).

[PrairieRose]

I agree that in most cases it's cheaper (by far) to make your own. AND you don't have to waste so much space storing all those different bottles of stuff.

[erstbrmom]

I'm beginning to use up the store bought cleaners and start making my own. It's better for the environment and our own health.

[Wildrose]

I use coupons too so I buy name brands for cheaper then dollar store and stock up.

[wulong32]

I make my own cleaners. I use half and half vinegar/water for windows and carpets, bleach/water for most everything else. I like to use baking soda to clean the tub.

[mikandmari]

I think in the long run, it is much cheaper to make your own. I do buy just a couple of products for cleaning, Spic and Span because I like the smell, and Comet cleanser (although I should look for the recipe for this one!). My Mom gave me a recipe for window cleaner, we even put some drops of blue food coloring in to make it look like Windex!

I laugh at all of the products being marketed nowadays for cleaning. People will buy anything! I mean, how about all the 'wipes', like Pledge & Windex! What is so hard about spritzing a bottle and using a rag?

[dianne9106]

the Ecover brand cleaning products. They are awsome! I have to order them, but they last forever. They are ecological cleaning products and they are not hard on my hands or lungs with fumes. I don't even own a bottle of any kind of bleach. The cream scrub is awsome for cleaning my cooker top and the spray is great for glass, counters, the sink, mirrors, etc... I am sure I could make some cleaners perhaps cheaper, but I can't seem to make them do what I want everytime!

Think Green - Give Used for Christmas!

Dianne

[peanut]

I used to make my own, until my DD#1 moved out and left me a cupboard full of storebought. And then Mom died and I inherited another cupboard full. I have enough storebought cleaners to last me at least 10 years. I just don't use them that often. No need to. A little water, let soak and elbow grease usually does the cleaning around here.

Still, when i come across a really bad cleaning job, I pull out the heavy duty storebought stuff...and feel a good round of guilt about what I might be doing to the environment in the process.

Personally I find homemade cleaners more environmentally friendly, and I'd use them for that reason alone. But they do tend to be cheap. Borax and baking soda mixed is a good abrasive cleaner. Yes, the borax is expensive, but I find I don't have to use as much as I would a storebought abrasive cleaner.

[IntlMom]

I can get the name brand stuff free or nearly free at walgreens or other "free after rebate" deals.....HOWEVER, I have tons and tons.....I have had to tell myself that I have way too many - I am committed to using up what I have and then making my one, cause they are so much better for the environment.

[redhead68]

I make my own for the most part. I find they work very well, especially the vinegar/water/detergent window cleaner. For scrubbing, baking soda is great, although I occasionally break down and buy a more caustic shower cleaner for really tough bathroom jobs. I also keep a gallon of bleach for mildew, laundry, toilets, and clearing drains.

For a nice scent, I add a couple of drops of lavender or orange oil to my homemade cleaners.

[bumplett]

the Ecover brand cleaning products. They are awsome! I have to order them, but they last forever. They are ecological cleaning products and they are not hard on my hands or lungs with fumes. I don't even own a bottle of any kind of bleach. The cream scrub is awsome for cleaning my cooker top and the spray is great for glass, counters, the sink, mirrors, etc... I am sure I could make some cleaners perhaps cheaper, but I can't seem to make them do what I want everytime!

Think Green - Give Used for Christmas!

Dianne

I've seen this brand, but I haven't tried it yet - I make my own, but I think I'll try the Ecover brand dish det. when I need to refill.

I do think it's less expensive to make my own - I buy vinegar by the gallon, and baking soda by the large bag at Sam's

Better for the wallet, the environment, and your health!!

[cherrie79]

I love my bleach cleaners. So I buy a jug of Bleach (got 3 for $5) and one lasts me months. Water it down with water and off to cleaning.