Favorite Homemade Cleaning Products

Seattle has officially rubbed off on me: I'm using cloth diapers, I bring reusable bags every time I shop, I separate the recycling and the garbage carefully, I have local organic produce delivered to my door, I no longer use an umbrella and rarely even put a hood on in the rain. . .

. . . and now, I'm making my own household cleaning products. I'm practically a native (just in time to be moving back to Utah, it seems)!

And since we've been preparing the home to sell and move to Utah, I've been using a lot of them. There are several reasons I love these homemade products:

1. They are CHEAP!
2. I already have the ingredients on hand so if I run out while cleaning at 10:30 pm, I can just mix up a new batch. I have a stash of $1 spray bottles from the dollar store that I keep on hand for when the kids want to have spray bottle water fights in the summer, so I've been using those for the cleaning products.
3. No crazy chemicals to worry about. So if my kids grow a third eye or something, we'll at least be able to rule out the household cleaners as contributing factors.
4. The smell of vinegar used in cleaning products reminds me of my dad, who always mopped the floor with a mixture of vinegar and hot water. This item will not apply to anyone else unless you feel the need to associate the nasty smell of vinegar with something nicer like my awesome dad.

I thought I'd share my favorites with you so you can bypass the testing process and jump right to the awesome results.

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Floor cleaner (compare to PineSol)
Ingredients:
vinegar
water
lemon or lavender essential oil

Fill sink with hot water and add about a cup of vinegar. Add a few drops of essential oils to make the smell tolerable and apparently help with disinfection (but honestly, I just put them in there because I don't like the smell of vinegar). Mop away!

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Window/mirror/bathroom fixture cleaner (compare to Windex)
Ingredients:
1/4 c. rubbing alcohol
1/4 c. white vinegar
1 Tbsp cornstarch
2 c. warm water

Combine everything in a spray bottle; shake well. Shake well before using, too, as the cornstarch might settle at the bottom.

I found it's best to do a last wipe of the mirror/window with a microfiber cloth (I always have to wear gloves when using those, though, because I HATE the feel of microfiber).

This cleaner is my absolute favorite of the bunch. I just take a step back after each window/mirror I clean and gaze in wonder.

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Grease/oven/hard water cleaner (compare to Lime Away or oven cleaner)
Ingredients:
baking soda
water

For the water fixtures, microwave, etc. prepare a baking soda paste (baking soda plus enough water to make a paste about as thick as cake batter). Rub onto affected area and leave for a few minutes. Wipe away with a damp cloth.

For the oven, spray the inside with water then sprinkle baking soda on top. Wet any dry areas with another spritz of the bottle. Leave for a few hours (with the oven OFF), then wipe away with a damp cloth.

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Soap scum remover and general bathroom cleaner (compare to Tilex)
Ingredients:
1 cup white vinegar
1 tbsp. cornstarch
2 tbsp. dish soap

Combine vinegar and cornstarch; mix with fork. Microwave mixture for 2 minutes; remove and stir again. Pour dish soap into spray bottle; add vinegar/cornstarch mixture when slightly cooled (don't melt/disfigure your spray bottle with piping hot vinegar like I did!). Shake to combine.

Spray on affected area and leave for 10-30 minutes (any longer and it dries and becomes hard to wash off). Wipe off with a damp cloth. Wash away any residual soap bubbles with warm water.

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Anyone else have favorite cleaners or tricks for cleaning around the house? Anybody miss cleaning checks at Regency? Anybody? Bueller?