I’m passing along an excerpt from an email I received this morning from Everyday Cheapskate a free newsletter sent out by Debt-Proof Living. Some of the solutions were new to me, and with budgets being stretched like elastic (hopefully they will bounce back) every penny-saving idea helps.
Homemade Cleaning Solutions Are Cheap and Green
As politically incorrect as it may sound, I admit to making my own household cleaners to save money, not to avoid toxins or to help clean up the planet.
For years, I’ve been collecting, testing and recommending cheapskate solutions to help my readers save time and money. That these concoctions just happen to be “green” alternatives is a terrific bonus.
All of these solutions should be mixed thoroughly in an appropriate container (spray bottle or other container with a tight-fitting lid), labeled clearly and kept out of reach of children. See below for how you can get my complete collection of cheapskate solutions, which includes hundreds of recipes for household cleaning, health and beauty, garden and craft solutions.
Black Lacquer Cleaner: Strong tea, allowed to cool to room temperature. Dip cloth into the tea and rub the lacquered surface well. Dry well and buff with a soft, clean cloth.
Cleaner for Painted Cabinets: 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 cup household ammonia, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 gallon warm water. Wash cabinets with a sponge and this solution. Rinse off with a clean sponge and water. Wipe cabinets completely dry. Note: For stubborn areas, press a hot, damp cloth against grease deposits until they soften. Then, proceed as directed above.
All-Purpose Spray Cleaner: 2 cups rubbing alcohol, 1 tablespoon liquid dishwashing detergent, 1 tablespoon non-sudsing household ammonia, 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Mix in a gallon jug. Fill jug with warm water and shake. Put solution in a spray bottle. Great for cleaning windows, chrome and bath fixtures.
Window Cleaner: 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 quarts warm water. Add cornstarch to water and mix well. Scrub mixture on window using a soft cloth. Use a clean dry cloth to dry and shine the glass. Your windows will sparkle for days.
Heavy-Duty Window Cleaner: 1/2 cup ammonia, 2 cups rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent, water. Mix ammonia, alcohol and detergent in gallon jug. Fill to top with water. Shake well before each use. This solution is great for cleaning really dirty windows, taking tape marks off windows and for removing soap film from shower doors.
Antiseptic Spray: 1 part liquid chlorine bleach, 9 parts water. Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Use this solution to clean and disinfect surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom. Make up in small batches to use immediately. As bleach evaporates, it loses its germ-killing properties.
Skunk Scent Remover Shampoo. 32 ounces hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid. Mix ingredients together in large bottle with cap. Use as shampoo on pets, children and spouses. Rinse well.
Vinyl Siding Cleaner: 2/3 cup Spic and Span, 1/2 cup powdered Tide laundry detergent, 1 quart liquid chlorine bleach, 3 quarts hot water. Mix ingredients in 2 gallon bucket and allow to stand for 4 to 5 hours. Pour into ordinary garden sprayer and apply to vinyl siding. Leave solution on siding for five minutes and rinse with hose. When you spray it on, you will see the dirt, film and mildew slide off.
There is still time to get in on my Spring Fever Giveaway.
Until next time…
No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. ~ Hal Borland ~
apron strings 
Those are great Judy. I have been trying to cut money in the cleaning supplies area also. I had been trying to “Go Green” by buying the all natural products, but they are so expensive.
The window cleaner and the one for painted cabinets- I definitely have to try those.