Store-bought cleaners can be expensive, full of chemicals that are bad for you and the environment and sometimes not even effective. So, why not make your own? 

With just a few basic ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils you can keep your home sparkling clean. These ingredients are inexpensive and found at most grocery stores. Keep an eye out for the larger, bulk containers of white vinegar for extra savings. You’ll also need some spray bottles, paper towels, scrub brushes, and lint-free cloths.

One of the best things about homemade cleaners is that they can be customized to suit your needs. For example,  if you’re sensitive to fragrances, just omit the essential oils. If you have a specific type of stain or problem that you need to tackle you can also adjust the recipe to suit your needs.

Here are a few recipes for homemade cleaners that are easy to use around your house:

1. All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix half a cup of white vinegar with two cups of water in a spray bottle and add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance (optional). Use this cleaner to wipe down countertops, sinks, and other surfaces.
2. Glass Cleaner: Combine two cups of water with two tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and two tablespoons of white vinegar . Use this cleaner to clean windows and mirrors, and use a lint-free cloth to wipe away streaks.
3. Soft Scrub: Place baking soda and water in a bowl, and mix until it forms a thick paste. Use this cleaner for tough stains on countertops, sinks, and other surfaces.
4. Carpet Deodorizer: Baking soda is great for removing odors. Just sprinkle it over carpets and rugs, leave it for 15-20 minutes and then vacuum..
5. Drain Cleaner: Pour around half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by an equal amount of white vinegar and let it sit for around an hour. Rinse the drain with hot water and use a plunger to remove any blockages.
6. Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Pour a cup of white vinegar into the toilet bowl, and let it sit for around 15-20 minutes. Scrub the bowl with a toilet brush, and flush to rinse.
7. Furniture Polish: Combine two parts of olive oil and one part lemon juice in a spray bottle and use it to polish wood furniture. Wipe away any excess with a soft cloth.
8. Air Freshener: Mix water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle and spritz the air as needed or desired.
9. Stainless Steel Cleaner: Combine equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, and use it to clean stainless steel appliances. Wipe away streaks with a lint-free cloth. Stainless steel pots can also be cleaned by boiling water in the pots after cooking.
10. Laundry Detergent: Mix together equal parts borax, washing soda and soap flakes and use a scoop for each load of laundry. You can also add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle for extra freshness.
11. Jewelry Cleaner: Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water in a small bowl. Place your jewelry in the solution and gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush. If the jewelry is rusted, you may need an acidic element. Try soaking it in white vinegar for a few hours or overnight, or cover it in a paste of lemon juice and salt and let it sit for a few hours. Then rinse and dry thoroughly.
12. Oven Cleaner: Mix equal parts baking soda and water in a small bowl to create a paste. Spread the paste over the inside of the oven, including the door and the sides. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight. Then, mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and mist the paste until it’s damp. Use a sponge or scrub brush to scrub the paste off the oven’s surfaces. Rinse with water and dry thoroughly.