How to make your own cleaning products at home

Do you know how many harsh chemicals are in the cleaning products you use at home? Chances are, a lot more than you think.

With more awareness of the damage that harsh chemicals are causing to the environment and our health, more people are looking for non-toxic alternatives to the cleaning products on offer.

However, many of these alternative products are expensive and sometimes don't even work. The good news is, if you’ve ever wondered if making your own cleaning products is possible, then the answer is yes.

Not only is it possible to make your own cleaning products, but it’s also a lot cheaper, safer, and less complicated than you think - in fact, most of the things you need to make cleaning products at home are things you likely already have in your kitchen cupboards.

So, in this post, we're sharing some easy methods to help you make your own home cleaning products that are completely natural and non-toxic.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

• Sodium Carbonate (also known as washing soda or soda ash) You can find this at most supermarkets in the cleaning aisle, or you can order it online from places like Amazon.
• Citric Acid or White Vinegar (optional) You can use either one for an added boost of cleaning power. White vinegar is perfect for cleaning, as it contains antibacterial properties. It's also helpful for those who live in hard water areas. However, it should be used sparingly as it can damage the washing machine drum and pipes over time.
• Baking Soda This is a great, non-toxic cleaner that can be used for many things, especially removing stains from clothes, so it's ideal for use in laundry detergent, and in fact, many of the leading brands have this as one of their main ingredients. However, it's important not to use too much baking soda, as it can cause a bleaching effect on darker clothes or materials like denim.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

To make your own dishwasher detergent, you'll need a few ingredients:

• Borax
• Washing Soda

If you can’t find these at the supermarket or if they're too expensive, baking soda is an excellent substitute for washing soda; use about half as much of it when making homemade dishwasher detergent as you would if using washing soda.

For an alternative to borax, use more baking soda (approx 125g more than usual) - no more than 250g total.

Homemade Window Cleaner

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to make your own window cleaner. Add a few drops of lemon juice for extra shine and a fresh scent, and shake well before use.

If you don’t like lemon or simply don't have any, you can use a few drops of essential oils such as lavender or rosemary, or orange.

We hope this post has shown you how easy it is to make cleaning products at home. Not only are they more cost-effective, but they're much safer for you and your family.