Tips for How to Store Homemade or Natural Cleaners

When you make your own homemade cleaners and detergents you need containers to store them in.

As tempting as it may be, you probably should not re-use containers from old cleaners that you may have lying around your home. Any residue that is left in the bottle from the old cleaner could potentially react with the new cleaner and create a toxic gas. Even if you are fairly certain that the container is clean the homemade cleaner may still react with the material that the container is made from. It isn't really worth it to chance it since new containers are very cheap.

You also should not store your homemade cleaners in food containers.

Instead, opt for inexpensive containers with tight fitting lids. Any container that you use should be both child resistant and pet resistant.

For inexpensive containers check your local dollar store. You can find containers in just about every shape and size there including spray bottles, hand soap dispensers, buckets, jugs, containers with lids and more. If you don't have a dollar store near you shop at any discount center to find a variety of different containers.

You may also be able to find a cleaning supply store near you where they should carry containers that will work perfectly for any of your homemade cleaners. They may be a little more expensive, but tend to be heavy duty and can last a long time.

ALWAYS label your containers once you add a cleaning product to them. If you don't label them it is very easy to forget what is inside. Not only that, but other members of your family (or anyone else for that matter) won't know what is in them unless they are labeled.

You can label the bottles by writing directly on them with a permanent marker or by printing out a label and attaching it to the bottle. If you write on them with marker try sealing the writing with a coat of clear nail polish to help it stay protected and keep from rubbing off. For paper labels, cover them with clear tape to keep moisture from causing the ink to run.

For the label on each bottle include the following:

-What is the purpose of the cleaner?

-What ingredients are in it?

-Any poison control or safety information from any of the ingredients. That way you will immediately know what to do if it gets in anyone's eyes or is swallowed.

-If any of the ingredients are perishable be sure to write the date that you made it

Taking the time to make sure that your homemade cleaners are properly stored and labeled can make them safer and easier to use.