Guest Post by Jessica L.
So, the other day, one of my real-life, non-blogging friends calls and says “Hey, I have a post for you!”. Ummm, sure, twist my rubber arm! Jessica and I have been friends for over 10 years, and it’s always fun when we get on the same page about things. In the last couple of years, she’s been making big changes to her family’s diet, as well as more recently to the products she uses in her home. Yay Jess! 🙂 I’m sure you’ll find what she has to share useful, as I know I did!
While I don’t know exactly what prompted me to spend an hour tackling the math of how much I am actually saving by making my own cleaning supplies, I am sure glad that I did. Not only do I have the assurance of knowing that I am using things that are non-hazardous for my son and that I am being a good steward of the earth that God has entrusted to us, but also I am saving a whole lot on our monthly budget.
So, here are the four items that I decided to make based on the recipes that Steph and her guest poster so kindly gave us: Glass Cleaner, Stain Remover, Tub & Tile Cleaner, and All-Purpose Cleaner.
**My note- Here is the link to the stain remover recipe, and here is the link to the guest post Jess mentions, Carefree Cleaning, where you will find all of the other cleaner recipes.
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Glass Cleaner | Windex 26 oz $4.39 | Homemade 26 oz $0.35 |
Stain Remover | OxiClean 21.5 oz $5.49 Spray N Wash 22 oz $3.99 | Homemade 22 oz $2.41 |
Tub & Tile Cleaner | Lysol 24 oz $4.99 | Homemade 24 oz $1.41 |
All-Purpose Cleaner | 409 32 oz $4.49 Lysol 32 oz $4.49 | Homemade 32 oz $0.19 |
Now I should note that all prices are in USD (before tax), based on the Walgreens website for non-bulk, name brand items, that includes the ingredients for the homemade products.
So, for example, if the cleaner recipe called for baking soda, my price calculation was with a small 16 oz box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. However, if you are like me, and you buy the no name version of everything and/or you buy things in bulk, then these prices would be even cheaper.
I am so thankful for having been given these resources because, tough economic times or not, God, through my husband, has seen fit to make me the steward of our grocery budget (what was He thinking!!) and these simple recipes have helped so very much. Thanks Steph!
Doesn’t this post help to bring home the fact that not only are these homemade cleaners so much easier on our homes, our bodies and the earth, but especially on our wallets? Are any of you making these recipes, or similar ones, and enjoying the savings as well?
Other Related Posts You May Enjoy
- Back to the Basics: Frugal, Non-Toxic Green Cleaning
- Baby Steps: Going More Natural, One Cleaner at a Time
- Non-Toxic Cleaners You Can Make at Home
- Better, Cheaper, Safer 4-Way Soft-Scrubber
- Clean Your Shower or Bathtub Simply
- Natural and Eco-Friendly Laundry Soap Reviews: 5 Moms Test and Compare
- Non-Toxic Disinfectants
- Carefree Cleaning
- Two Recipes for Odor Eliminating, Air Freshening Sprays!
- A Natural Stain Remover that Really Works!
- Charting the Way To Successful Stain Removal
- The Stain Removal Trick that Saves Kids Clothes, Money, and My Sanity
- How to Get Set In Stains Out of (Almost) Everything
Audrey
March 15, 2009 at 11:50 PMOh yes, I definitely relate to this post! I’ve started making my own everything (started with cleaners, then moved on to laundry detergent, next up… dishwashing detergent!), and it makes me feel so much better to know that my kids’ are healthier AND I’m saving a TON of money!
Heather
March 16, 2009 at 4:00 AMI began making my own cleaners about 6 months ago and it’s great to not need to go down that aisle at the store (other than to buy Borax or washing soda) … thanks for breaking this down – it’s helpful. The other benefit is that even my 3-year-old can help me with the cleaning and I don’t have to worry about her at all! 🙂
Shannon
March 16, 2009 at 12:25 PMMaking my own cleaners ie: simple spray, dishwasher, and laundry has been so enjoyable for my wallet but also knowing that I am giving my family the best.
HappyHermit
March 16, 2009 at 2:51 PMExcellent Chart !! I=I wish I had thought about that!!
Katie
March 16, 2009 at 7:35 PMI use all baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide in my home. My best friend is a thick, microfiber cloth. It enables me to clean glass without any cleaner at all, wipe down the shower to almost dry (thus making cleaning only necessary about once every two months), and dust w/o spray as well. My Grandma buys a big package for me at Sam’s Club, and they’re so thick.
I’m a little nervous about Borax — it’s an ingredient in my homemade ant killer…hmmm…makes me start thinking…and I found information here (http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingsworkfaqs/a/howboraxworks.htm) when I was trying homemade dishwasher detergent. It says not to be used around children, and that kind of stopped me in my tracks.
Great money-saving breakdown though!
tami lewis
March 16, 2009 at 8:32 PMexcellent post! i too make my “tide”, “cascade”, all purpose cleaner and “windex”
Jessica
March 17, 2009 at 8:07 AMComment about borax. As a “natural” bleach alternative, Borax shouldnt be used on any surface where food is prepared. Personally, I use it to clean my toilet and other surfaces that need spot cleaning. Also, the actual amount of borax in this particular recipe is so small (1 tsp to over 2 cups of liquid), that I tend not to worry about it too much.
cheeseslave
March 20, 2009 at 8:34 AMGREAT post! It’s so much cheaper to make your own — I’ve been doing it for over a year now.
This will help a lot of people; thanks for posting it!
I’m going to stumble it so more people will see it. 🙂
tullo
April 21, 2009 at 7:16 AMthanks for article
Vanessa R
October 6, 2009 at 4:03 PMGreat recipes and resources. You might also want to take a look at these http://homemadecleaners.net , as I have made a few of them and they worked great.