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You can stop pouring money down the drain and help avoid environmental issues by skipping harsh chemicals in detergents and other cleaners. Make your own cleaners with simple ingredients you have around the house rather than buying products with harsh chemicals.

Try out the homemade cleaner recipes listed below: You’ll save money (and we all love saving money right?) and you’ll be helping the environment at the same time. You’ll be pleasantly surprised and pleased with the performance of these homemade cleaners-I know I was. The best part is, most of us have these ingredients in the house already and by using these homemade cleaners, we no longer have to buy dozens of different cleaning products that are targeted to individual cleaning tasks. (That also saves storage space in your house-another good thing!)

• Combine baking soda and vinegar, flush with boiling water for an effective drain cleaner.
• Use lemon juice to remove mildew.
• Use corn starch for a carpet deodorizer.
• Combine 1 cup white vinegar and 1 gallon warm water for a floor cleaner for vinyl type floors.
• Clean wood floors with 1/2 cup white vinegar mixed with 1 gallon warm water.
• Make all purpose cleaner by combining 2 tablespoons ammonia, 1 teaspoon dish detergent, 2 cups rubbing alcohol, 4 drops food coloring (optional) and a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a fresh scent (orange or lavender is wonderful). Combine and store in a clean 1 gallon milk jug.
• Here is another all purpose cleaner–In a 16 oz spray bottle, mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 1 teaspoon borax and hot water. Swish until borax has dissolved. Add a few drops of a mild dish detergent and a few drops of your favorite essential oil (again, orange or lavender smells wonderful), fill the bottle with water and mix.
• And another all purpose cleaner, mix the following in a big bucket for big jobs like walls. Double the ingredients for cleaning shower walls or other extra heavy duty needs. 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 gallon of warm water.
• Need a “soft scrub” type cleaner that won’t scratch surfaces? Simply put a small amount of baking soda in a bowl and add liquid dish detergent until you have a smooth paste. Works wonders on sinks and counters and doesn’t scratch surfaces.
• Homemade Window Cleaner: Mix 1/2 teaspooon mild dish detergent, 3 tablespoons white vinegar and 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Shake and use.
• Another homemade window cleaner: 3 Tablespoons ammonia, 1 tablespoon white vinegar mixed in spray bottle and filled with water.
• Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, squirt with white vinegar and scout with a toilet brush. Cleans and deodorizes.
• Need a “Comet” or “Ajax” type scrub powder? Just use baking soda. Dampen slightly and scrub with a soft cloth to prevent scratching. Use anywhere to get rid of build up or stains.

Homemade cleaners will not only save you money but it also helps the environment by skipping the use of harsh chemicals. Using homemade cleaners has an added earth day benefit–since you won’t be buying all those different commercial cleaners, (you will naturally be mixing your homemade cleaners in reusable bottles) you’ll be eliminating many bottles, jugs, spray bottles and cans from going to the landfill also!

An important WORD OF CAUTION about homemade cleaners though-NEVER mix bleach with any type of acid such as ammonia or vinegar. It causes very dangerous toxic fumes.

And lastly, my personal favorite Earth Day Tip: Save the Planet One Outfit At a Time by shopping/consigning at your favorite resale/consignment store -Rumors HAS IT! in Scranton, KS.