How to Make Your Own Homemade Cleaning Solution
Creating your own cleaning solution at home can be a rewarding endeavor. Not only is it cost-effective, but it also allows you to customize the scent and cleaning properties to suit your preferences, while ensuring you're using more natural ingredients. Here's a simple, versatile DIY cleaning solution and a guide on how to enhance it with various additions, including essential oils, for different benefits.
Homemade Cleaning Solutions vs. Store Bought Cleaning Solutions
Opting for a homemade cleaning solution over store-bought alternatives presents significant benefits both economically and health-wise. Economically, making your own cleaner is cost-effective because it involves inexpensive and commonly available ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils, which can be bought in bulk and used for multiple batches. This starkly contrasts with the recurring cost of purchasing branded cleaners.
From a health perspective, homemade solutions offer a safer alternative. Many commercial cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can pose risks such as skin irritation, respiratory issues, and environmental harm. By choosing to make your own, you control the ingredients, ensuring the exclusion of toxic substances. This is particularly beneficial for households with children, pets, or individuals with sensitivities. Furthermore, the use of natural ingredients like essential oils not only provides a safe antimicrobial solution but also enhances indoor air quality with natural fragrances, avoiding the synthetic fragrances found in many commercial cleaners that can contribute to indoor air pollution.
Basic DIY Cleaning Solution
Ingredients:
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 20 drops of essential oil (we love this variety pack from Pure Aroma).
Instructions:
- Combine Ingredients: In a glass spray bottle, mix the distilled white vinegar and water. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer, making it an excellent base for a cleaning solution.
- Add Essential Oils: Add your choice of essential oils
- Shake Well: Ensure the solution is well mixed by shaking the bottle gently.
Customizing Your Cleaning Solution
Baking Soda: Adding a tablespoon of baking soda can enhance the cleaning solution's ability to tackle tough stains and odors, especially on surfaces like countertops and sinks. It acts as a gentle abrasive and odor neutralizer.
Castile Soap: A squirt of liquid Castile soap can increase the solution's grease-fighting power, making it suitable for cleaning dishes or grimy surfaces. It's biodegradable and made from plant oils, offering a gentle yet effective cleaning agent.
Hydrogen Peroxide: For areas needing disinfection, such as bathroom surfaces, adding a half cup of hydrogen peroxide to the solution can provide an extra level of cleanliness. It's an effective disinfectant that can kill bacteria, viruses, and mold spores.
Alcohol: A half cup of rubbing alcohol or vodka can boost the solution's ability to evaporate quickly, leaving a streak-free shine on glass and mirrored surfaces. Alcohol acts as a solvent, cutting through dirt and disinfecting.
Benefits of Essential Oils
The inclusion of essential oils in your cleaning solution isn't just for a pleasant aroma; they offer several benefits:
- Antimicrobial Properties: Many essential oils, such as tea tree, eucalyptus, and peppermint, have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, making your cleaning solution more effective against germs.
- Mood Enhancement: Scents like lavender and citrus can have mood-lifting properties, making your cleaning routine a more enjoyable experience.
- Customizable Scents: By mixing different essential oils, you can create a signature scent for your home that is both refreshing and inviting.
Creating your own cleaning solution offers the flexibility to tailor it to your specific needs and preferences, ensuring your home is not only clean but filled with natural, inviting scents. Experiment with different additions to find the perfect combination for your home.
