How To: Fresh Smelling Homemade Cleaners

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I’m a sucker for store-bought cleaners.  They SMELL clean.  They smell powerful.  They’re likely harmful, yes, but I feel so good about the cleanliness when I’m done using them because they SMELL  like I’ve accomplished something.

Sound like you?

If you’re like me, maybe that’s why you have been putting off making your own cleaners at home.  Not because you like paying more money for store bought, or because you don’t have the 45 seconds to mix them yourself, but because you like things to smell good.

I get that.

But, now that I have Seven, I think about these things a little more.  What if the smell is doing more harm than good?  And, if it’s recommended that I keep the bottles of cleaner out of his reach, what about the things he touches after I clean with them?  And then sticks those dirty little paws in his mouth?

Not that he does that.  Ahem.

So, I gave making my own cleaners a shot.  Namely a window/glass cleaner (which doesn’t really smell so great in my opinion) and a Stainless Steel Cleaner.  Now that I have a suite of KitchenAid Appliances (oh my!)  I am obsessed with keeping them spit shined.

It won’t be easy, with a four year old and a desire to be cooking/baking every free minute.

Here are a couple of “recipes” that are working for me.  Not the aromas I am used to, but still smell fresh and clean.

Homemade Glass Cleaner

  • 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • Juice from 1/2 lemon
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 cups warm water

Honestly? It works better than storebought.  Super shiny results, fresh scent, and nothing toxic.  Even better? You can make the whole bottle for about 50 cents.  Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

Moving on to those pesky Stainless Steel Appliances we all love (but hate to clean).  There’s a cost for high fashion, and now it’s time to pay…just not $7.99 for the fancy bottle in the store.

Homemade Stainless Steel Cleaner

  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • Juice from 1/2 lemon (or 1 teaspoon lemon extract)

If your stainless is particularly greasy, wipe it down first with undiluted vinegar.  Then, shake up the bottle of homemade cleaner and spray it on the surface.  Use a soft, clean cloth and buff in the direction of the grain for the best results.  What are we at here, total wise? A dollar?

full-circle-home-tools

Now, you’ll want good looking, hard working bottles to keep your new cleaners in, right?

Of course.

imageI love the new products from Full Circle.  Have you seen them?  It almost pains me to keep them tucked away, under the sink.  Look at those brushes!  The wooden handles are as pretty as they are functional.  Would it be wrong to buy a pretty canister to keep them in on top of my counter?

A sponge brush for deep glasses, a scrub brush for veggies, hand scrubbers for tough dishes and pots, sweet little dish rags – you name it, they offer it!

Not only do they offer these attractive cleaning tools, they have the spray bottles you need.  I adore them! (plus, the set comes with even more recipes for homemade cleaners)

Like what you see?

Then one of you shall win a set.

Yep – a full set of Full Circle cleaning products!

Just tell me – what homemade cleaner do you use (a recipe, please), or, what kind of homemade cleaner are you HOPING to use?  Time to share!

For more chances to win:

Contest is open until April 24, 2012, 11:59pm EST.   Open to US Addresses only.  Winner will be notified via email at end of contest.

Disclaimer: Prize is courtesy of and shipped by Full Circle Home.  I was supplied a review copy but was not compensated for this post.  My range and new kitchen appliances were supplied by KitchenAid, and all opinions are my own.

Are you crafty? A DIYer? Me too, or I like to think I am! I have become smitten with the new Lowe’s Creative Ideas App. Full of great ideas (so clever!) and the best part? It is FREE. Free is my favorite price, though I would have paid for this little gem. I think you will agree.

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