Saving the Big Bucks on Cleaners

For several years I've been making almost all of my own cleaners. I admit that the advertising promises or a sale price makes me look at cleaners every once in awhile but as soon as I turn the bottle over and read the ingredients my sanity seems to flow back. Most cleaners are surfactants (detergent) mixed with scent and water. Many use petroleum based detergents and artificial scents and colorings. With about 5 basic ingredients I can make a variety of cleaners for different uses that 1. cost me pennies per quart because the main ingredient is water 2. Are kind to the environment and not detrimental to the health of my family 3. Work as well or nearly as well as the harsher chemical alternatives.

The 5 ingredients I keep on hand are;

Castile soap (or citra solve) - You can buy scented castile soap - usually peppermint for some reason or unscented if you will be using essential oils.

Hydrogen peroxide

White vinagar

Baking soda

Oxygen bleach

When I add essential oils to the above ingredients I increase their effectiveness and also scent the air so I keep several including tea tree, lavender and lemon on hand too.

I buy nice long lasting spray bottles from Home Depot and label them clearly. There are many formulas that can be made just with the ingredients I've listed such as toilet cleaner (pour 1 cup white vinegar in the toilet bowl, wait ten minutes add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. It will bubble, swish around the bowl w/ a bowl brush and flush) or all purpose cleaner (Pour 2 cups of water, 1 teaspoon castile soap, 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 5 to 10 drops of lemon (or other scent you like) essential oil in a bottle and shake.)