Easy DIY Cleaning Solutions You Can Make at Home
Odds are good that you buy cleaning supplies at the store. You probably buy a product (or more than one) for cleaning things like windows, counters, carpet, etc.
Many of these products are very good. But you can make your own product at home that is also very good. And it's cheap.
In fact, I do this in my own home and it works great. It's quick, simple, and works on nearly any surface.
I'm going to show you two formulas that work great for your own homemade cleaning solution.
The bottle
First, you're going to need a bottle to hold the cleaning solution. I like a spray bottle for this. They're cheap and effective.
Solution one
This is the simpler and cheaper solution using only two ingredients. It costs just a few pennies to make as well (not including the bottle).
You'll only need three things to get started.
- The bottle to hold the solution.
- Dawn dish soap (or any brand really).
- Water.
Start by filling the bottle all the way with water. It's probably fine to use water from the tap for this. But if your water is particularly hard, you might want to use filtered water instead.
Next put just one squirt of dish soap into the bottle. That's all it takes. Dish soap is highly concentrated and very powerful.
Gently swish the bottle around to mix the soap with the water for about thirty seconds. And that's all it takes. You're ready to go.
Solution two
Solution two is very similar to solution one. But it uses one extra ingredient: Isopropyl alcohol.
First, a word of warning about isopropyl alcohol. This product is a VOC (volatile organic compound). It evaporates nearly instantly when in small amounts. This is part of why it's effective as a cleaning ingredient. But it also means that you might breathe it in. And it's not good for your lungs (especially if you are particularly sensitive). So, if you're going to use this solution, it's a good idea to make sure that you have proper ventilation. Open some windows if you can.
To make this solution, fill your bottle about one tenth full with isopropyl alcohol. I use 91% isopropyl alcohol since we'll be diluting it with water.
Next, add water until the bottle is full. Finally, add the same squirt of dish soap from solution one. Gently swish the bottle around for thirty seconds or so, and you're done.
Comparing the solutions
The only difference between the solutions is the isopropyl alcohol. This ingredient adds a bit of kick to the formula. But, truth be told, it isn't that important. The dish soap is more than adequate for sanitizing surfaces. I personally use either solution.
How to use the product
For the most part, it's self-explanatory to use this product. But there are a few pointers I can give.
- After spraying the solution to a spot on carpet, blot it with a rag (or paper towel) instead of scrubbing. At some point, you'll have to scrub to get the spot completely out. But always start by blotting to prevent the spot from spreading.
- Don't overspray. This is especially true when using solution two with isopropyl alcohol. It really doesn't take a lot of cleaner to remove spots. It's far better to spray just a little bit in between scrubbings (or blottings) than it is to saturate the spot at the beginning.
- Rinsing the cleaner out of the carpet using a store-bought carpet cleaning machine or even a wet-dry vacuum is always preferable, but it's not necessary at all with these solutions. They are completely safe for almost all types of carpets.
- When using this cleaner to clean glass, make sure to dry the glass completely. This will prevent streaks and water spots from forming.
- Even though this cleaner is about as safe as it comes, always pre-test by spraying a bit in an inconspicuous area to make sure no adverse reactions occur. This is especially true if you are applying it to any uncommon types of carpet/rug fibers, appliances, natural, stone, etc. If you see any signs of a chemical reaction such as excessive bubbling or color changes, clean it up immediately and don't use the product on that surface again.