Replace Chemical Cleaners with Natural Products

We all want to save money, especially in this economy, but did you know that you can start saving by using household items for other things than what their packaging suggests they should be used for?  Did you also know that natural products are cheaper to make at home than cleaners with chemicals in them?

Toss the Paper Towels

Sub in for paper towels – You may have already begun looking for replacements for these expensive paper clean-up sheets, by pulling in old hand towels or other cloth items, but did you know you can use coffee filters in much the same way? Paper coffee filters are cheaper than paper towels, work just as good on flat surfaces and don’t leave as much lint behind.

Floor Cleaner

Ditch the chemicals – You may have already started recycling out the pricey cleaner agents in your household for simpler more natural options, but just in case you haven’t, here are some nifty replacements and how to use them. I, like many others, use a Swiffer to clean the hard surfaces in my home, but unlike many, I don’t use specified “floor cleaner,” like Murphy’s Oil, etc. Instead, I buy my favorite essential oils from my local health food store (usually around $15 for a large bottle, and will last you forever), such as vanilla & lavender, and make a vinegar + a few drops mixture in a spray bottle. This combination cleans just as good as its chemical brothers and smells divine while doing it. I use the mixture for cleaning pretty much any surface in my house and love the way it makes my house look & smell.

Unclog Drains

I also have very long, thick hair and find that dealing with hair clogging my shower drain is very common. Industrial cleaners don’t always do the job, especially on the 1^st try, and I find that a mixture of boiling water, a teaspoon of vinegar, and a half teaspoon of baking soda does the trick every time.

Pet Deodorizer

Speaking of baking soda, if you have pets, you know how much of a bear it can be to manage the smell of animals living in your house, especially if you have multiple (I have four, so I speak from experience). I find much of the smell comes from the carpet that they tromp upon every day, and I rarely find carpet deodorizer that doesn’t smell contrived to me. Baking soda to the rescue! Just sprinkle a little on your carpet, vacuum up and watch the deodorizing effects take hold! Added bonus: it’s safe for your animals because it’s natural and not chemical.

Remove Candle Wax from Carpet

At a loss as to how to remove candle wax that has been spilled on your carpet? Get yourself some newspaper, lay it on the afflicted spot, take your iron and set in on low, and start “ironing” the newspaper on the wax. The wax will begin to melt and transfer to the newspaper off the carpet. Voila!

There are many, many more ways to stretch your household budget by eliminating expensive cleaning agents. Not to mention, your hands will thank you for switching to natural products! What are your household cleaning budget savers?

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