Save Money; Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies!

Most people have simple ingredients in their kitchen that can help keep your clean, without spending a lot of money on (potentially) harmful chemicals. Everyday items include table salt, baking powder, baking soda, and lemon juice. There are other inexpensive, easy to find items that can really give your cleaning a boost.

Aspirin: Salicylic Acid:
Pure aspirin is actually a mild acid that can be helpful while cleaning. Make sure you buy PURE aspirin and not an analgesic blend.

Borax:
Borax can be found in the laundry section of your local store. Borax can be used as a water softener, in cleaning agents to help lift out dirt, a laundry cleaning booster, or in paste form as an abrasive.

Cornstarch:
Cornstarch has a variety of uses from cooking (a thickening agent) body care, and I have used it successfully to clear up diaper rash on my baby. Cornstarch can help buffer acids and help maintain a more alkaline pH balance.

Ethyl Alcohol:
Ethyl alcohol is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, and liqueur. It is used as a cleaning agent or even as a starting fluid for your car (spray it on your cars intake valve on the carburetor!)

Isopropyl Alcohol:
Isopropyl Alcohol is included in most first aid kits, commonly known as Rubbing Alcohol. It is used as an antiseptic and for sterilization. I used it successfully yesterday to remove Sharpie Marker from my daughter's bedroom door, but beware as it can take the paint off certain surfaces!

Vinegar:
Apple Cider Vinegar and White Vinegar are made through fermentation using fruit or wine. It us most commonly used for cooking, in sauces such as BBQ, but it is also a natural degreaser. I use it for cleaning tough spots in the kitchen.

Essential Oils:
Essential Oils are the "pure" oils formed by extracting fragrant oils from plants through steam or maceration techniques. You can find essential oils in health food stores and use them to add great smelly flavors to your healthy, natural, homemade cleaning agents. They come in a variety of smells from cinnamon to cedar, eucalyptus to chamomile, and even orange or rosemary.

Glycerin:
Glycerin is a naturally produced emollient, or substance that softens or smoothes something (especially the skin). It is derived from vegetable or animal sources. You can buy it in liquid form by the bottle at the pharmacy or a health food store. You can typically find glycerin soaps (solid form) in these areas as well.

In my next few articles I will show you how to put these natural cleaning agents to work. Soon you will have a healthier, naturally clean home!

Kellar, Casey. Natural Cleaning for Your Home. Ashville, NC: Lark Books, 1998.