Do you buy ready-made cleaning products from the store for cleaning surfaces at home?

Many of us grab a ready-made cleaning product from the store shelf without thinking too much about it. The contents of the bottle do their job, but at the same time, our homes fill up with plastic bottles, fragrances, and various chemicals. And most importantly - the prices are often bewilderingly high (the most ecological and natural products usually being the most expensive).

Most everyday surface cleaning can be done with a homemade, simple, and safe cleaning product that costs only a fraction of ready-made products. We haven't bought ready-made all-purpose cleaners for home surfaces for at least a year now. Natural ingredients are surprisingly effective for basic everyday cleaning!

When you make your own cleaning product, you save:

• Money - homemade costs about €0.20-€0.50 / bottle (store versions €3-€6)
• Plastic - the same spray bottle can be reused repeatedly (I recommend a glass spray bottle, which lasts for years and only requires replacing the spray head)
• Your home's chemical load, as you control what the product contains.

How to save money and make an effective cleaning product yourself:

Mix in a 0.5 L spray bottle

1/5 vinegar

4/5 water

about 1 tsp mild/biodegradable dish soap

8-10 drops of pure essential oil for fragrance (I've personally enjoyed using juniper-scented essential oil)

! Mix/shake gently before each use to prevent excessive foaming of the soap !

Tip 💡 Omit the essential oil if you want a fragrance-free version or if you're cleaning children's items and toys.

What is this suitable for?

• Kitchen and bathroom countertops and surfaces
• tiles
• dining table
• bathroom taps & soft surfaces
• Children's items (omit essential oil in this case)

💶 Financial Savings - concretely

A store-bought all-purpose cleaner usually costs €3-€6 / bottle

• Vinegar €0.10-€0.20
• Water almost free
• dish soap approx. €0.05
• Essential oil approx. €0.05-€0.20 (depending on quantity and quality)

➡️ total cost €0.20-€0.40 per refill bottle

In addition:

🌿 The same spray bottle lasts a long time = less waste

🌿 Fewer harmful chemicals in the home

🌿 An affordable and natural solution for everyday cleaning

Ready-made cleaning products are convenient, but not always necessary. Usually, you're just paying for water and harmful (unnecessary) chemicals. Homemade cleaning product is an easy, affordable, and ecological alternative that works surprisingly effectively for cleaning everyday surfaces.

Try the recipe - you'll probably be surprised at how well it works.

⚠️ Important Note ⚠️

DO NOT USE VINEGAR-BASED CLEANER ON:

🚫 Natural stone surfaces - Marble, granite, limestone, quartz. Vinegar can corrode and dull the protection and shine of stone surfaces.

🚫 Aluminum - vinegar can corrode aluminum and leave stains.

🚫 Waxed or varnished wood surfaces - vinegar can weaken the protective layer and make the surface dull.

🚫 Electronics and screens - absolutely not for screens, keyboards, phones, or TV screens. Acid can damage the protective film.

🚫 Cast iron - vinegar can cause rusting if the pan is not well oiled.

🚫 Delicate metal parts, e.g., chrome and brass.