DIY, Don't Buy: 10 Household Cleaning Supplies You Can Make Yourself

November 20, 2015
Household cleaners are necessary tools in the battle against grime, but germophobia doesn’t come cheap. If you’re looking to save rather than spend this year, these 10 DIY household cleaners are economical and, most importantly, effective at mess management.
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Homemade Carpet Stain Remover

How to Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaners

Purchasing even rudimentary cleaning supplies rapidly adds up over time. According to a survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spent an average of $645 per year on housekeeping supplies between 2013 and 2014.

Leave the newest name-brand carpet stain remover in the dust by delicately dabbing discolorations with diluted dishwashing liquid instead. 

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DIY Oven Cleaner

Credit: Di_Studio via Getty Images
Get the DIY Oven Cleaner Formula

As the source of your greatest gastronomical triumphs, your oven deserves a thorough scrubbing now and then to keep the appliance in tip-top shape. Create a paste of baking soda and water to banish filth. 

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DIY Pet Stain Remover

Credit: Bryan Gardner
Learn to Make DIY Pet Stain Remover

No pet is perfect, and on occasion your canine companion may make a mess. Use a mixture of dish soap and lukewarm water to lift the stain before saturating a towel in water to remove any soap residue.

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DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Get the DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner How-To

Why invest in expensive toilet bowl cleaners when an inexpensive homemade formula will produce better results -- without the toxic chemicals? A vinegar and water amalgamation will tend to germs, while borax attacks tough stains.

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DIY Drain Cleaners

Credit: Addie Juell
Get the DIY Drain Cleaner How-To

To keep things running smoothly, baking soda plus vinegar is the trick!

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DIY Copper Polish

Learn More Uses for Lemon Around the House

Copper is a higher-maintenance cookware material, but there is no need to devote all of your financial resources to preserving pots and pans. A simple scrub made of lemon and salt will restore luster to copper items. 

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DIY Wood Floor Cleaner

Learn More Ways to Clean with Vinegar

The wooden floors you walk on take quite a beating throughout the day, but costly cleaners don't hold a candle to this economical homemade solution. Combine a gallon of water with 1/8 cup of liquid soap and 1/8 cup vinegar to achieve gleaming planks. 

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