Sunday, February 6, 2011

Just Ducky



Warning: this picture has nothing to do with the post.

I like making some of my own cleaners mostly for financial reasons but I also feel that it allows for a little less plastic consumption. Nothing fancy, just quick & easy. In the past I have bought the plastic squirt bottles at the dollar store or from a local department store. Most recently I bought one at Sally's Beauty Supply. It did cost a more but the sprayer seems much more durable. The cleaners I like to have on hand: ammonia & water for as a window cleaner. Bleach & water for my counters and cutting board. A mixture of half rubbing alcohol/half H20/splash of vinegar, and a dash of essential oil (eucalyptus is my favorite) as an all-purpose cleaner. For quite some time I made my own laundry detergent. I have been lazy lately using store bought. I do however have supplies on hand and could easily throw a batch together if I run out so I don't have to make a special trip to the store. Would love to hear if you make your cleaners and how? I am interested in making my own wood floor cleaner, anyone have experience with this?

9 comments:

Bookncoffee said...

I should probably do the same as you and save even more money. Especially for the counters. I use Clorox Cleanup here.

Have a great week.

Country Girl said...

Funny you write that. I think that is what motivated me to make cleaners. My husband would buy bleach cleaners and I'd say I can easily make that myself for pennies. Happy week to you as well!

Jodi said...

I'd be interested in seeing what you find out for wood floors, too. Our new place is almost entirely wood flooring. Murphy's Oil is on my shopping list for this week because I've been using Pine Sol to clean out the 160 muck but it streaks the floors something awful.
I really need to start making my own cleaners again. You may just be my motivation this week. :-)

Anonymous said...

Nice picture and good luck with your adventure in making your own laundry detergent, etc.

Amy

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah we have a fake kind of wood floors in our upstairs and tile and wood downstairs.

Amy

katiegirl said...

We make laundry detergent and use a vinegar/water solution for the counters. I bought some castille soap to use as an all purpose cleaner but I haven't gotten around to using it yet. :-)

Anonymous said...

I have never heard of putting alcohol in home made all purpose cleaner before. I use vinegar, water and tea tree oil for my all purpose mixture. I want to make my own laundry detergent but having problems finding the washing soda in small enough quantities. None of the grocery/hardware/department stores around here sell the stuff. I've approached a couple of pottery supply outlets and they want to sell a minimal quantity for five lifetimes!
I sure wish I could get my daughters onto natural products. They are so brainwashed by the commercials on TV, it just isn't funny.
Karen

Amanda :: Grace & Gusto said...

Lately, I've been trying to get 'greener' with my cleaning supplies, using more organic, non-toxic products like Clorox Greenworks. When I have some more free time, I intend on making most of them like you do.

I follow a blog called Down to Earth, which is all about simple living and making everything from scratch. She has a post with recipes for just about every cleaner, though I haven't actually tried any yet. Hope it helps!

http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2007/08/various-recipes-for-green-cleaning.html

De Peaslee said...

I bought a SHARK steam mop and I LOVE it. No mess and no detergents, only steam. I use it on both my wood and linoleum floors. Then I give both floors their shine with reg. Mop N' Glow.
I have also been making my/your own laundry detergent for two+ years. I've also converted some 'well-to-do' friends to making their own. I laugh at the prices most people pay for store bought liquid laundry soap, $8-10 a bottle. I don't pay that much a year!