I made my own cleaners

Today I made my own natural cleaners. Good for our health, the environment and REALLY REALLY CHEAP!!! And it was all found at our local Spanish Fork Maceys. I didn't get the castille soap, so I don't know if they have it at Maceys, but probably at WalMart or the Good Earth store if Maceys doesn't. The laundry soap was about $1.25 total to make, and I put it in an old spaghetti jar (with some left over in a plastic baggie). It also needs only 2 Tb. per load, so it will last quite a while. I also made the dishwasher soap, all-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner tonight. I'll let you know how it works!
Recipes:
In dishwashers, use equal parts borax and washing soda.

Powdered laundry soap:

1 bar Fels Naptha soap
1 cup Borax*
1 cup Washing Soda
Use a food processor to grate the Fels Naptha - just like a brick of cheese. There will be shreds and a few lumps, so you'll also need to use the blade spinner to then combine the lumpy soap with the Borax and washing soda. End result should be a fine, light yellow powder. Use 2 tablespoons per load.Note: washing soda will soften hard water, a good thing, as hard water can turn whites gray!
* Borax, although a natural mineral, can be toxic to children and pets. Please keep out of their reach.

floors: Start with a half-bucket full of hot water and add 1 cup vinegar, washing soda (sorry, it didn't say how much), and 2 tbs Castille soap. Mix with mop and start slopping!

All Purpose Cleaners:
1) Vinegar and Salt. Mix together for a good surface cleaner. Or
2) Baking Soda. Dissolve 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart warm water for a general cleaner. Or
3) Baking soda on a damp sponge. Baking soda cleans and deodorizes all kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Or
4) Use liquid castile soap and baking soda or Borax in different ratios. Use a little soap and soda/borax with lots of water on floors, walls and counters. Use more soap, soda/Borax for tubs sinks, cat boxes, anything that can be well rinsed. Or
5) For a general, all-purpose cleaner, try a paste made from baking soda and water or mix salt and water with a little vinegar. Or
6) 3 tbsp. vinegar, 1/2 tsp. washing soda, 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil based liquid soap, 2 cups hot water. Mix ingredients in spray bottle or bucket. Apply and wipe clean.

Disinfectants:
1) Regular cleaning with plain soap and hot water will kill some bacteria. Or
2) Borax has long been recognized for its disinfectant and deodorizing properties. Mix 1/2 cup Borax into 1 gallon hot water or undiluted vinegar and clean with this solution. Or
3) Mix a half-cup of borax with 1 gallon hot water. Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme, rosemary or lavender. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and cool. Or add essential fragrant oils instead of fresh herbs. Store in a plastic spray bottle. Or
4) 2 tablespoons borax, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 cups hot water. Combine the borax and lemon juice with the water in a spray bottle. Use as you would any commercial all-purpose cleaner. Or
5) Isopropyl Alcohol is an excellent disinfectant. Sponge on and allow todry. Use in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves.


Glass Cleaners:
Windows and Mirrors:1) Use undiluted vinegar in a spray bottle or
2) Equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle or
3) 1/2 lemon juice and 2 cups water in a spray bottle or
4) 1/2 cup vinegar or lemon juice, 2 cups water, 1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil based soap (such as Murphy's Oil Soap)
5) Mix 1/2 cup cornstarch with 2 quarts warm water. Apply with sponge then wipe with absorbent cloth or towel. Do not wash windows or glass when sun is on them or if they are warm. This causes the solution to dry too quickly creating unwanted streaks.
6) No-Streak Glass Cleaner: 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 quart warm water Mix the ingredients and apply with a sponge or pour into spray bottle and spray on. Wipe dry with crumpled newspaper, buff to a shine. (Use crumpled newspaper instead of paper towels for lint-free results.
7) Rubbing alcohol is effective in place of glass cleaner.

Oven Cleaner: Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Use 3/4cup baking soda, 1/4cup salt and 1/4cup water to make a thick paste, and spread throughout oven interior. (avoid bare metal and any openings) Let sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots. Or use Arm & Hammer Oven Cleaner, declared nontoxic by Consumers Union.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work.

Bathtub & Shower Cleaner: Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the shower floor, or into the bathtub (you may want to close the drain). Then, pour vinegar onto the baking soda and let it bubble. Don't pour too much; you don't want to dilute the baking soda - just wet it. Let this sit for a half hour, and then lightly scrub with a cotton rag. Rinse with water. Letting this soda/vinegar mixture sit does help to remove stubborn stains from shower floors (especially those with a rough surface).