How Does Soap Work To Clean Things

Homemade Cleaning Products That Really Work

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Save time and money by making your own cleaning products for your home. There are many types of homemade cleaners, from laundry detergent to dishwasher pods to multipurpose cleaning wipes. They're easy to create, and the best part is you can store the products for future use.

Keep your living spaces fresh with homemade cleaning products that really work. Your wallet and home will thank you.

Multipurpose Cleaning Wipes

Odds are, you go through cleaning wipes like crazy if you cook often, clean daily or have kids. Good news: It's easy to make them at home, and they only require a few supplies. What's even better is that you'll save some money over time.

Photo Courtesy: Kroger/YouTube

Materials:

1-pound coffee canister with plastic lid (emptied and cleaned)
Paper towel roll
Sharp knife
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
10 drops essential oil (optional)
Box cutter
Spray paint (optional)

Directions:

1. If you want to spray paint the can, coat it inside and out, and then let it dry for about four hours. You can also leave the can as it is.

2. Using a sharp knife, cut the paper towel roll in half to make two rolls. Take one of the rolls and put it into the can.

3. In a small bowl, mix together the vinegar, rubbing alcohol, water, dish soap and optional essential oil.

4. Carefully pour the mixture over the paper towel roll in the can. After the roll is fully soaked, gently remove the cardboard tube in the middle, and pull up a paper towel from the center.

5. Cut a small "X" in the middle of the can's lid using a box cutter. From the bottom opening of the lid, push the paper towel through the X. Close up the can with the lid and just pull a wipe through when needed.

Two-Ingredient Stainless Steel Cleaner

Stainless steel appliances, like refrigerators, counters and ovens, easily get covered in fingerprints, smudges and dirt with every person's touch. Say goodbye to the grossness by making your own cleaning spray.

Photo Courtesy: Barb Crawford/Flickr

Materials:

Empty spray bottle
White distilled vinegar
Water
Microfiber cloth

Directions:

1. Fill half of the spray bottle with white distilled vinegar and the other half with water. Close the bottle with the nozzle and shake it to combine the ingredients.

2. Spritz the liquid onto your stainless steel appliances and wipe it off using a microfiber cloth.

Liquid Laundry Detergent

There's no avoiding laundry at home, and detergent can be expensive — especially if you have a large family. Why not whip up your own powerful laundry detergent?

Photo Courtesy: Fairyland Cottage/YouTube

Materials:

1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
2 1/2 cups pure liquid castile soap
1 cup washing soda (also known as soda ash or laundry soda)
1 cup baking soda
1 cup water

Directions:

1. Add all the ingredients to a plastic container and shake it up to mix everything.

2. For a large load of clothes, use 1/3 cup of your homemade liquid laundry detergent.

Dishwasher Detergent Pods

If you prefer to use your dishwasher over handwashing, you don't have to keep running to the store for new dishwasher detergent. Clean your dishes with your own handy pods to save money and time.

Photo Courtesy: My Nest Matters/YouTube

Materials:

1 cup baking soda
1 cup washing soda
1 cup salt
1/4 cup citric acid
1 cup water
1/2 cup white vinegar per cycle
Ice trays
Large bowl
Spoon

Directions:

1. Combine baking soda, washing soda, salt, citric acid and water in a bowl in a large bowl. Let the mixture bubble for one to two minutes.

2. After the mixture finishes bubbling, stir the ingredients thoroughly with a spoon until everything becomes clumpy.

3. Spoon the detergent mixture into ice cube trays. Press the detergent down into the tray's molds.

4. Wait for the detergent to completely dry overnight or for 24 hours.

5. Remove the detergent from the trays (like you would with ice) and store the pods in an airtight container.

6. Before each cycle, pour the vinegar into the rinse aid or place it in a small bowl in the top rack.

Drain Cleaner for Sinks and Tubs

No one likes a clogged sink or a slow drain. In response to a clog, many people head to the store and buy Drano, a product known to contain harmful chemicals. Avoid the scary chemicals and create your own "Drano" to unclog every drain in the house.

Photo Courtesy: Colorful Canary/YouTube

Materials:

1 cup salt
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup warm white vinegar
8 cups boiling water

Directions:

1. Mix the baking soda and salt in a bowl.

2. Pour the mixture down the drain and check that the mixture goes down completely.

3. Pour the warm vinegar down the drain. For a few minutes, let it sit. Boil the cups of water.

4. Pour the boiling water down the drain until the blockage clears.

Toilet-Cleaning Pods

Cleaning the toilet isn't always easy or fun. However, DIY toilet pods make the job simpler. After making a batch of the cleaning pods, you just pop one into the toilet like a bath bomb. It's good for your toilet and wallet.

Photo Courtesy: Mom 4 Real/YouTube

Materials:

1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup citric acid
1 tablespoon dish soap
Bowl
Spoon
Ice cube tray
Toilet brush

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix the baking soda and citric acid using a spoon.

2. Gradually add and stir in the dish soap. Continue stirring until the mixture resembles wet sand.

3. Spoon the mixture into ice cube trays. Firmly press the mixture into the molds of the ice cube trays and let them dry for at least four hours.

4. Once dry, pop them out of the ice cube trays and store in a closed container.

5. To use, drop one in the toilet and let it completely fizz.

6. Using a toilet brush, scrub the inside of the bowl to clean any filth.

7. Flush.

8. Admire your sparkling clean toilet!