Save More wth These DIY Cleaning Products and Toiletries

We all spend a lot of money cleaning. Whether household cleaners or toiletries, when one runs out, we generally have no choice but buy a replacement. What if you had another option? We’ve found some DIY cleaners that not only save you money, but use environmentally-friendly ingredients. Next time you run out of your old standby, try one of these options instead:

You’ll Need:
½ cup vinegar
8 drops tea tree or other essential oil
Sealable container
Cotton Cloth

Directions:
1. Start by cutting your cotton cloths into smaller sections. I used inexpensive dish towels from the dollar store, but old tee shirts or linens would work wonderfully too.
2. Mix together the vinegar and essential oil in a small bowl. Vinegar is a natural softener, and the essential oil gives your clothes a gentle, natural scent. Pour the mixture over the cloths until they are dampened but not soaked. Keep in a securely closed container.
3. To use, simply remove a sheet from the container, squeezing any excess liquid back into the jar, and toss into the dryer. To reduce static cling in clothes, reduce the heat temperature of your dryer. When clothes are dry, simply place the sheet back in the jar for use later.

What You’ll Need:
Empty Spray Bottle
Vinegar
Dish Soap

Directions:
1. Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water, such as one cup warm water and one cup vinegar.
2. Add ½ teaspoon dish soap.
3. Shake to mix in the spray bottle.

What You’ll Need:
Grated bar soap
Liquid castile soap.
Washing soda (not baking soda)
Essential Oils, such as orange and tea tree oils

Directions:
1. Mix grated soap with boiling water and stir.
2. Once soap is dissolved, add the washing soda and stir. Then add the castile soap and stir.
3. After mixture has cooled, add chosen essential oils.
4. Transfer mixtures to a repurposed container, such as an old dish-soap bottle.

What You’ll Need:
Clean, empty spray bottle
1 tablespoon baking soda
2 cups distilled water
10 drops essential oils

Directions:
1. Measure baking soda into bowl and add essential oils on top.
2. With a fork, mix the oil into the baking soda.
3. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and add distilled water. Shake before use.

What You’ll Need:
1 bar of shaved bar soap
1 cup Borax
1 cup washing soda

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and thoroughly mix for five minutes. Enjoy!

What You’ll Need:
2 cups filtered water
1 cup organic distilled white vinegar
20+ drops of organic lemon essential oil
15+ drops organic basil essential oil

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in glass spray bottle and use as needed for household cleaning.

What You’ll Need:
Small bowl
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon dish detergent
1 cup hot water
Aluminum foil
Paper towel
Old Toothbrush

Directions:
1. Line bowl with a square of aluminum foil.
2. Add salt, baking soda and dish detergent.
3. Add hot water and watch as the liquid fizzles.
4. Drop in jewelry and leave in cleaner for 10 minutes.

What You’ll Need:
Baking Soda
Coconut Oil
Essential oils, such as rosemary, peppermint, spearmint or thyme
Sea Salt
Glass Jar

Directions:
1. Mix together a 1:1 ratio of coconut oil to baking soda until it becomes a paste.
2. Add essential oil if desired, roughly 5 drops per tablespoon of paste.
3. Add sea salt sparingly. For 2 tablespoons of baking soda, a dash of salt will suffice.
4. Store in a glass jar.

What You’ll Need:
Baking soda
Cornstarch
Coconut oil
Essential oils, such as tea tree, lavender or lemon grass
Glass Jar

Directions:
1. Take equal parts baking soda and cornstarch and add coconut oil at a ratio of 1:4 (baking soda + cornstarch: coconut oil).
2. Add a few drops of essential oil.
3. Store in a glass jar.