50 Homemade Cleaners That Work! (Cheap & Easy)

Not only are these DIY Homemade Cleaners Recipes so simple to make… they will save you SO much money, too!

Then… save even more money when you learn How To Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half!

Collage of homemade cleaners.

Homemade Cleaners That Work

On the hunt for some Homemade Cleaning Recipes and DIY Homemade Bathroom Cleaners??  I’ve got you covered!

Not only are homemade cleaning products recipes healthier to use, they are one of my favorite ways to Save Money Fast!

Seriously, the savings you’ll experience once you start making homemade cleaning recipes truly is mind blowing!

I couldn’t believe how I was able to cut my household expenses so drastically, so FAST, just by mixing up some simple solutions.

Not only are these recipes a more natural version of your store-bought favorites, they often work so much better, too! Talk about a win-win, right?

Whether you’re looking to stock your bathroom cabinet on a dime, or just want to make some effective cleaning products for your house cleaning Side Hustle… THESE are the recipes for you!

So are you ready for some ridiculously easy ways to swap out your old cleaners with new homemade, mostly natural cleaning recipes? Let’s get started!

Check out my favorite fool-proof DIY cleaning products below…

Related: How To Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half (35 Money Saving Tips)

Clean bathroom with wallpaper.

How to Speed Clean Your Home

Now before we get to the Homemade Cleaners… check out this simple speed cleaning schedule!

Are you ready to get your home all sparkly clean in a flash? This is my favorite way to tidy up in a jiffy!

Set your timer, stay focused, and check out my 30-Minute Quick Cleanup Plan here…

  • 2 Minutes: Start a Load of Laundry
  • 5 minutes: Dust off Window Blinds
  • 5 minutes: Swish & Clean Toilets
  • 8 minutes: Swish Sinks, Wipe Down Countertops & Clean Mirrors
  • 10 minutes: Mop Floors

Who knew you could get so much done so fast?!? And don’t forget to turn on the tunes while you clean. I’ve found that cleaning to my favorite playlist helps the time fly by!

So now that you know how to clean up fast, are you ready to start making your own cleaners?

It’s SO much easier than you think!

Use these easy DIY Homemade Cleaners below to supercharge your savings this month…

Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder

Slash the price of your laundry detergent when you make this Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder Recipe at home!

It’s so simple to make and cleans like a champ!

Carie writes: “I’ve been making this for years… it’s easy – everyone should. The savings is crazy!”

Blue scoop in a jar of laundry detergent.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe

Or, make your own Liquid Laundry Detergent for pennies!

I have been personally using this recipe for almost 10 years!

Misty writes: “I wish I had discovered and known about this many years ago!! I could have saved so much money!!”

Collage of creating homemade liquid laundry detergent.

How to Clean Your Diamond Ring at Home
(Tip From a Jeweler)

Are you ready for your ring to sparkle like the first day you got it?  You won’t believe how gorgeous your ring will look after you try this easy trick!

This simple little trick comes straight from my Jeweler, and works like a charm!

Suzana writes: “That’s a GREAT trick! My jeweler told me to do that, too.”

Ring in a bowl of soapy water.

Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe

This glass cleaner has been on repeat in my home for years!

The recipe was shared by a fellow Frugal Girls reader who owns her own cleaning company, and it has been an absolute game changer.  It works like a charm and saves SO much money!

In addition to windows and mirrors, it’s one of the best homemade cleaners for showers and glass shower doors, too!

Rebecca writes: “This is such an amazing solution! It works so well.”

Dawn dish soap and vinegar on a counter next to a spray bottle.

DIY Carpet Powder Freshener

I love using this DIY carpet powder on the carpets.  Talk about an effective and frugal way to make carpets smell fresh!

This is my favorite trick to freshen carpets, can be made in less than a minute, and you can even add a pretty scent of your choice!

Kat writes: “I love the fresh scent on my carpets. The parmesan lid is perfect! Thanks for the tip!”

Jar of carpet powder freshener with two flowers.

How To Make Foaming Dish Soap

This foaming dish soap hack is seriously one of the easiest ways to save money on dish soap.

Seriously!  I’ve had this on repeat in my kitchen for years, and it saves a ridiculous amount of money!

Teresa writes: “I have done this for years… I buy Dawn by the gallon at Costco, then the foaming dish soap is super cheap that way!!”

Foaming Dish Soap dispenser and dawn dish soap.

DIY Wool Dryer Balls

I love my wool dryer balls.  I can’t even imagine doing laundry without them!  After making these all-natural wool dryer balls, I ditched the dryer sheets once and for all.

Diana writes: “They work! I put a few drops of essential oils on them and my laundry smells so fresh!”

Four wool dryer balls in a wicker basket.

How to Clean your Hair Brush

When was the last time you actually cleaned your brush?  I know, right?  This simple trick works like a charm, and will have your brush looking brand new!  It will also keep your hair cleaner by getting all of that icky oil and gunk out of your brush!  Bonus!

Christie writes: “Whatttt!!! This is soooo freaking awesome haha! I love this idea.”

Brush in a sink of soapy water.

How to Prevent Water Spots on Shower Doors

This simple little trick has been such a lifesaver on my glass shower doors!

Clear, glass shower door with a black handle.

How to Clean your Dishwasher

Even though your dishwasher is used for cleaning… it has a way of building up residue from dish soap, grime, and developing streaks on the interior door.

Empty, open dishwasher.

DIY Dawn Powerwash Recipe Refill Hack

The name brand spray can be a little pricey… but you can mix up your own spray bottle filled with Dawn Powerwash for pennies!

Person spraying Dawn Powerwash on a plate.

DIY Foaming Hand Soap Recipe

This foaming hand soap is used at every sink in my home.  This trick will save you so much money, and make your soap last SO much longer!

Bottle of foaming hand soap with flowers.

Homemade Fabric Softener Recipe

You won’t believe how much money you can save by simply making your own fabric softener at home.  Plus, I love how well this fabric softener works on my clothes!

Containers of Downy fabric softener, vinegar, and conditioner.

DIY T Shirt Rags

Need some more rags for cleaning?  How about some FREE rags?

Did you know that old t shirts actually make AMAZING rags??  It’s true!  I use them ALL the time!

Simply cut them down in large squares and use them when wiping up spills, conditioning your leather, dusting furniture, etc!

Now I always have an endless supply of free cleaning rags in my drawer ready-to-go…

Folded black and red cloth.

DIY Wrinkle Release Recipe

Cut your laundry bill fast when you make your own homemade wrinkle release!

Spray bottle of Wrinkle Release Spray.

How to Keep your Washing Machine Smelling Fresh

Keep the odors away with this easy Smelly Washing Machine Fix!

Person pulling back the seal from a washing machine.

Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe

This is the exact all natural DIY toilet bowl cleaner I use every week, and it works like a charm!

Jar of Homemade Toilet Bowl with flowers and half an orange.

Homemade 409 Cleaner Recipe

I love knowing exactly what is going into the cleaners I use in my home, don’t you?  This copycat 409 cleans so good, and takes just a few simple ingredients!

Homemade 409 ingredients arranged in a row.

How To Make Foaming Shampoo

Whether you’re looking for a tear-free shampoo for your kids, or would like to make your own favorite shampoo last longer, you’re going to love this simple DIY hack!

Bottles of baby shampoo and foaming soap.

Homemade Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair or Blondes

If you want to make your own natural Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair or Blondes, I’ve got some seriously easy recipes for you! No crazy chemicals, just products you can feel good about.

Jars of homemade dry shampoo.

DIY Foaming Body Wash

Are you ready for another simple way to save money?  Turn your favorite body wash into a Foaming Body Wash!  It’s so luxurious in the bath or shower, and will last SO much longer!

Empty container of foaming hand soap and a container of body wash.

How to Clean Makeup Sponges & Beauty Blenders

Whether you’re wondering how to clean a Beauty Blender, your favorite Beauty Blender dupe, or your old faithful sponge that’s never let you down, you won’t believe how clean they’ll get with these easy little hacks!

Two pink makeup sponges in wire holders.

How to Clean Your Curling Iron

Is your curling iron, wand or flat iron loaded with buildup?  Check out this simple trick for How To Clean Your Curling Iron!

Two ceramic curling irons.

How to Remove Soap Scum from Shower Doors

If you’ve got scum to deal with, here are my two favorite tricks!

Clean walk-in shower with a black, grey, and white tile wall.

Learn How to Fix a Hard-to-Turn Faucet

Is your bathroom faucet hard to turn?  Before you call a plumber, try this trick from a Handyman!

Faucet handles in a bowl.

How To Remove Hard Water Spots

If you have hard water, then you need to try this easy tip for How to Remove Hard Water Spots!

Apple cider vinegar and a spray bottle.

Homemade Granite Cleaner Recipe

Save money on that overpriced store-bought granite cleaner when you use this frugal Homemade Granite Cleaner instead!

A sparkling kitchen with white cabinets and white counters.

Fruit and Veggie Wash

This simple trick will help you get those fruits and veggies squeaky clean!  I do this to ALL of the produce I bring home from the grocery store.

Bottle of vinegar with a spray bottle.

Easy Drain Cleaner Trick

Is your kitchen sink backing up?  We’ve had some monster clogs at your home, but this drain cleaner works like a charm!

Bottle of vinegar and box of baking soda.

How to Keep Your Garbage Disposal from Smelling

Need a simple trick for How to Keep Your Garbage Disposal Smelling Fresh?  Check out these creative tips…

Melonie writes: “I dump ice cubes in my garbage disposal, sprinkle Baking Soda, and add Vinegar… then let it spin.  It freshens the disposal and the kitchen!”

Shauna writes: “I use Baking Soda a lot!  I use it in my garbage disposal with vinegar.”

Ryan writes: “Baking soda and vinegar works great for regular ol’ stinky drains too. It doesn’t always work and sometimes you have no other choice than to go out and buy some drain cleaner, but it’s worth a shot since baking soda and vinegar are so cheap, and at the very least they’ll keep the drain from smelling bad until you can get to the store”

How to Clean Grout on Tile Floors

It can cost hundreds to get your grout cleaned professionally, so save big and do it yourself for just a couple of dollars!

Brush and soap suds on grout.

How to Clean your Kitchen Sponge

You’ll love this easy kitchen tip that will help your sponges last so much longer!

Stack of colorful kitchen sponges.

There are several different ways you can go about cleaning your kitchen sponges, but here are my favorites…

Soak It Overnight in Vinegar:

Add 1/2 cup HOT Water and 1/2 cup White Vinegar to a small bowl, and place your sponge in the mixture.

Allow your sponge to soak overnight, then in the morning rinse it out with hot water, and it’s ready to go!

Just Toss It In the Dishwasher!

My other favorite trick is to just toss your kitchen sponge in the top rack of your diswasher, and run it through the next time you wash a load of dishes.

I keep two sponges out at all times ~ one in a small dish on the counter, and the other in the dishwasher.

Then, when I unload the dishes, I simply swap the sponges so one is always getting cleaned.

Now how easy is that?!?  No more worries about icky-sticky stinky sponges!

How to Clean Your Coffee Maker

Keep your coffee maker brewing delicious coffee with this easy hack for How to Clean Your Coffee Maker With Vinegar!

Aurelia writes: “Works great! The first time I had to do it three times. Now I just do it once every couple weeks.”

Bottle of vinegar in front of a coffee maker.

Here’s what you’ll do…

Where you normally would pour the water for brewing, fill your coffee maker up 1/2 of the way with vinegar.  Run the brewing cycle with vinegar only.  (no need to use a filter)  Then pour the brewed vinegar out of the pot and discard.

Next, fill your coffee maker up all the way with water, and run the brewing cycle with water only.  Then discard.

Now repeat the step above 3 more times (brewing a full cycle with water only).  This will ensure any last traces of vinegar removed.  It’s as easy as that!  Now it’s time to go make some Coffee!!

How to Clean Your Keurig

Has it been awhile since you cleaned your Keurig?  Check out this simple trick for How to Clean Your Keurig Coffee Maker!

Keurig with mugs reading \"Mr. Right\" and \"Mrs. Always Right.\"

You won’t believe how easy it is to clean your Keurig!

Thanks to vinegar, you’ll have your machine running in tip top shape!

Pauline writes:I’ve been doing this for years! Works wonderfully with my Keurig!”

Here’s what you’ll do…

Fill water container approximately halfway full with White Vinegar (or enough to brew 2 cycles)

Place a mug where you’d normally place your coffee mug, and run a brew cycle (without a k-cup).  The vinegar will run through the machine, cleaning it out along the way!  Toss the contents of the mug down the drain.

Repeat by running a second cycle, and tossing the contents of the mug again.

Pour out all remaining vinegar from the water container, wash container well, and now fill halfway with water (or enough to brew 2 more cycles).

Brew a cycle with water, toss contents of mug, and repeat brewing 1 more cycle with water.  REPEAT this process of brewing water as necessary, until the vinegar taste is gone.

Once the vinegar taste is gone, remove water container again, pour out remaining water, wash well…. and you’re done!  EASY!

Easy Microwave Cleaning Hack

Keep your microwave as clean as possible with these easy tips and tricks.

Three chairs set at a kitchen island.

All you’ll need is a little vinegar and water, and that pesky hardened gunk will fly off once you know this trick!  Seriously… give it a try today, you won’t believe how well it works!

Elayna writes: “I do this all the time! Great tip! It’s the best!

Shelly said:  “Works great for cleaning that hard to get stuck on food in the microwave…. everything wipes clean instantly.”

Laurie writes: “I’ve been doing this for years.  I use Vinegar & a little bit of lemon juice. I just fill up a coffee cup. It’s so easy!”

Vinegar Microwave Cleaner Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup Vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Water
  • Optional: 1 tsp. Lemon Juice

How to Clean Your Microwave with Vinegar:

You won’t believe how quick and easy it is to get your microwave sparkling clean!

Here’s what you’ll do…

Pour vinegar and water into small microwave safe bowl or mug, and place in microwave.

Microwave for 4 – 5 minutes, then leave it in there with the door closed for 2 more minutes, allowing it to get nice and steamy inside.  This will help soften those pesky splatters inside your microwave.

Then dip a sponge or dish towel in the vinegar-water, and use it to clean around inside the microwave… no elbow grease required!

A BIG thanks to frugal friend Drea for sharing this easy trick… it really does work like a charm!

Best Way to Clean a Blender

Cleaning your blender is about to get a whole lot easier with this easy tip!

Angela writes: “Simple but effective and a great time saver!”

Person adding soap to a blender.

After using your Blender, give it a quick rinse out, then fill about half way full with hot water.

Pump in a few pumps of Homemade Foaming Dish Soap, or a few drops of Liquid Dish Soap.

Then place the blender lid back on, pop on the blender base, and blend for about 10 seconds!

That’s right… just let that blender do all of the swishy scrubby work for you!

Turn it off, pop off the lid, rinse out with hot water, then transfer to a drying mat to let it air dry.  How easy was that?

How to Clean Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

Dry noodles in a pot.

Make cleaning your pots and pans easier when you use these easy ways to clean pots and pans!

I absolutely love cooking with healthy stainless steel cookware, and if you follow a few simple rules, it’s so easy to take care of! Here are my 5 favorite gentle cleaning tips:

Avoid the dishwasher and just hand wash your cookware

Skip the harsh, abrasive cleaners and stick to using hot, soapy water

Always use a soft sponge to prevent scratches

Dry immediately after washing to prevent water spots

Fix rainbow-like discoloration on the inside with a splash of white vinegar, then rinse with water and dry.  So EASY!

Homemade Air Fresheners

DIY Cinnamon Air Freshener

I love this cinnamon air freshener.  It’s the perfect way to make your home smell like Christmas!

Cinnamon, orange slices, and other aromatics on a plate.

Lemon Stovetop Potpourri Recipe (with Rosemary & Vanilla)

This beautiful Lemon Rosemary Vanilla Stove Top Potpourri is such a cheerful Springtime or Summer scent!

Lemon Stovetop Potpourri in a pan.

Lavender Baking Soda Air Freshener

Make your rooms smell great in a hurry with this easy Lavender Baking Soda Air Freshener!

Lavender air freshener in a jar next to essential oil.

How to Make Your House Smell Good (HUGE List of Genius Hacks)

Nobody likes a stinky home. So skip the stink, and transform your home into a paradise of lovely fragrances with my easy hacks!

Blue Dutch front door with the top half opened.

Easy DIY Homemade Febreze

Sometimes the simplest tricks save you the most money!

Spray bottle of febreze on a countertop.

Homemade Baby Cleanser Recipes + Tips

Easy DIY Homemade Foaming Baby Wash

You won’t believe how much money you’ll save on baby wash with this simple little trick!  Bath time has never been so fun and frugal!

Rubber duck, baby shampoo, and a foaming soap pump.

How to Make Homemade Baby Wipes

Today I want to share with you some genius tips for how to make homemade baby wipes!

Paper towel roll getting cut with knife.

Homemade Pet Cleaner Recipes + Tips

Homemade Dog Shampoo Recipe

Have you been wondering… how can I make homemade dog shampoo?  It’s easy, and you only need 3 ingredients!

Black and white dog sitting on a floor.

How to Clean a Dog Collar

Got a stinky Dog Collar?  Then you’ll love this tips for How to Clean a Dog Collar!

Dog with its tongue sticking out.

More Homemade Cleaning Recipes and Solutions

DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipe

Make sure you know exactly what you’re putting on your hands when you use this DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipe instead of those store bought hand sanitizers!  It’s so easy to make, and you’ll love having some on hand!

Small container of hand sanitizer with yellow flowers.

How To Make Hand Sanitizer Spray

This spray is a convenient alternative to regular hand sanitizers, plus you’ll love how simple and easy it is to make!

Spray bottle with green leaves.

DIY Sanitizing Wipes

Save money when you make these easy DIY Sanitizing Wipes at home!

Person pulling a wipe from a jar.

How to Fix a Squeaking Door (Easy Squeaky Door Fixes)

Is that squeaky door hinge driving you bananas? Then it’s time to try some of these simple tips for How to Fix a Squeaking Door!

Brown wooden door in a yellow building.

10-Second Carpet Stain Cleaner!

I’ve had a lot of stained carpet over the years with babies, toddler boys, puppies, kitties, you name it!   This trick has been a lifesaver for me… and my carpet!

Baby wipes container.

As soon as possible, after the spill or oopsy has happened, simply pull out a Baby Wipe and gently blot, rub and work out the stain.

Now it won’t work on everything, but it’s amazing how many stains will just come right out… just like that!

I’ve used this simple trick for years and years to clean up puppy messes, toddler catastrophes, and a whole bunch of my clutzy moment spills.  And let me tell you… it has saved the day again and again!

Thrifty DIY Weed Trick

You’re gonna love this frugal gardening tip for making your own natural Homemade Weed Terminator with White Vinegar.

Weed growing among rocks.

How to Clean White Shoes at Home

Whether your shoes need a good cleaning, or you just need to know how to clean white shoelaces, I’ve got you covered!

White shoes with fall leaves.

Keep Shoes From Smelling (6 Easy Tricks)

Here are some really easy ways to help remedy that stink and make all those shoes more tolerable once again!

Pair of blue Converse shoes.

How to Clean BBQ Grilling Grates (Do THIS, Not That)

When you know How to Clean Grill Grates the easy way, you’ll want to ditch the kitchen and head outside way more often for some epic summertime grilling!

Grill sitting in front of a pool.

More Money Saving Tips and Tricks

Want even more fun and frugal money saving tips?  Get inspired with these ideas I know you’ll love…

How To Save Money Fast (20 Easy Ways to Save $2200 this Month!)

Are you wondering how to Save Money Fast?  It’s easy when you start slashing expenses and adding these extra sources of income to your finances!

Stack of several $100 bills.

27 Side Hustles Ideas to Skyrocket Your Income!

Use these creative part time job ideas to supplement your income while you also enhance your social life and stay better connected with others!

Cash in a jar.

Got a Thrifty Tip or Trick…. or some favorite Homemade Cleaners you use??

Leave a comment & share!

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226 Comments

  1. PATRICIA BELL says:

    I recently saw a general cleaning recipe using alcohol, water and I think vinegar. I cannot find it on the web site anymore. Can you please send it to me?

    Thank you
    Patti Bell

  2. Lupe says:

    I have a large mirror in my living room that seems to streak no matter what glass cleaner I have tried. Does anyone have any suggestions?

    1. Andrea says:

      Have you tried newspaper instead of paper towels and vinegar to clean it?

    2. Ang says:

      To clear military housing our windows had to be perfectly streak-free. I poured full strength vinegar onto a rag, wiped it all wet & then used another rag to dry. My rags are just old dishtowels or washcloths, nothing fancy. I have gotten a few microfiber ones from the dollar store I like & they don’t seem to streak my bathroom mirrors.

    3. Briton says:

      I have the same problem with a large mirror in my living room. I have tried EVERYTHING- vinegar, newspapers, etc…still streaky. I recently bought a microfiber cleaning cloth for my new t.v. and I tried it on my mirror. It works like a champ! Just spray the cloth with a little water and rub the mirror in small sections 🙂

      1. Theresa says:

        A 50/50 solution of rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle is a great mirror cleaner! No streaks at all.

      2. Joanne says:

        Hot wet washcloth will leave windows and mirrors streak-free and cleans like a champ.

    4. Amanda says:

      I once worked at a hotel. The cleaning lady there used nothing but a hot wet rag and a dry rag. No cleaner at all. She would wipe the entry door (all glass) with the wet rag, then dry it with the dry rag. Never a streak! I now do this on all my mirrors and windows. Works great and is free.

  3. Val says:

    I am wondering what can get hairspray build up off of standard Apt style bathroom floor(linoleum)? I’ve tried the basic “store” product & lots of scrubbing, but not much luck…any ideas?

    1. Jen says:

      I have sprayed the floor with 409 and let it sit for like 5 minutes then scrubbed whith a bristle scrub brush and then mop the floor. A friend of mine and I have a cleaning business and this gets pretty much anything off of the linoleum. Hope it works for you!

    2. rita says:

      Cheap .97 shaving foam from Wal-Mart works GREAT!!!

    3. Christy says:

      I love my hairspray but my tile floors can’t stand it!! I bought a HAAN floor steamer (I’m sure any would do) and VIOLA!! No build up and no sticky floor either!! Easy Peasy!!

    4. Charlotte says:

      shampoo will do the trick, works removing form your hair & entire bath too ! in a spray bottle combine by filling bottle 1/3 shampoo of choice and 2/3 water, spray onto area & let sit a minute and wipe off with a clean sponge, if major build up like on floor allow to sit longer and use clean mop to wipe up

      1. M.Ellison says:

        When my husband (who is a diesel Mechanic) runs out of “his” hand soap, he uses cheapo (suave) shampoo, preferably one that is good for greasy hair, and it works great! Good for those once in a while at home car maintenance jobs

    5. Donna says:

      try automobile degreaser. you can buy walmart or auto
      zone will even take black tar off. i use to clean sinks
      etc. but wear gloves.

    6. Anne Bratcher says:

      Cotton ball.
      Spray a little more neatly.

  4. Monica says:

    Recipe for Homemade Stain remover for clothing:
    In a large spray bottle add 1/2 cup of laundry detergent, 1/2 cup of ammonia and then fill the rest of the way to the top with water. Shake well. I spray this on stains and then use an old toothbrush to rub it in well so it penatrates the stain. I have 4 & 5 year old boys and this stuff has saved me a lot of money on stain removers.

    1. Barbara L. Robinson says:

      Wondering if anyone has tried this stain remover and if you had good luck with it? Does it work for all stains? Would appreciate any comments on this one. I use the former Spray and Wash Spray Can which has worked best for me! Thx

      1. Christina says:

        Peroxide, Dawn detergent and a little baking soda rubbed into the stain will remove most anything. I will never buy a store bought stain remover again!

  5. L.Ann says:

    I’ve tried almost every deep conditioning treatment out there. After getting tired of spending anywhere from $15-$40 for so-so products, I did some research and now make my own.

    Mix the following together:
    2 Egg Yolks
    2 Tbsp Mayonnaise (optional since mayo contains egg and olive oil, but it helps the treatment to not be as runny)
    1 Tbsp Olive Oil
    2 Tbsp Honey

    Apply mixture to hair and cover with a plastic cap (I recycle a plastic grocery bag, twist to fit my head, and tape in place).

    Wrap a towel around plastic covered head and hang out for 15-30 minutes (the towel and plastic combo helps the treatment penetrate better using your own body heat, no need for a dryer).

    Shampoo and condition as normal.

    This treatment makes my hair feel like heaven and really brings out the shine. The egg yolk adds protein, the olive oil adds moisture, the mayo adds both protein and moisture, and the honey gives incredible shine.

    1. Trudy says:

      I’ve been using apple cider vinegar to rinse/condition my hair for a while now and I love it. I wash my hair, rinse it, spray ACV on, work in with fingertips, put a shower cap on, finish showering and when done, take off cap, rinse hair and it shines like the sun and is soft as can be. All with no vinegar scent. I love it.

      1. Gretchen Barendse says:

        i use strictly baking soda and water to wash my hair and water and apple cider vinegar and water to condition it. I have VERY longhair and don’t have any issues with needing to use any other type of deep conditioner or other additive in my hair.

        1. Brenda says:

          Does the baking soda and water not leave your hair dry? Do you ever use shampoo and conditioner of any type?
          And last but not least, is your hair type oily or dry?

    2. C.K. says:

      Hi L.Ann………I would like to post this on my web site do you have it posted anywhere so I can also give you credit…………Thank you, CK

  6. Jeanette says:

    What is your most cost effective stain remover/pretreater? I have been buying Clorox 2 free and clear. Any alternative suggestions? Thank you!!

    1. kathy says:

      I use 2 parts peroxide to 1 part Dawn in a spray bottle. It’s good on carpet stains too.

      1. Jennifer says:

        I tried this recently and I was amazed at how well it worked on stains. This will definitely be the first thing I go to for future stains.

    2. Erineyes51 says:

      Years ago my sister told me about this great stain removing trick, it works especially good for removing baby food stains from clothing as well as yellow underarm stains and makes sport socks sparkle. The recipe is:
      1 cup of liquid bleach
      1 cup of cascade powder dishwashing liquid
      1 cup of powder laundry detergent
      Fill washing machine with the hottest water you can. Place the above ingredients in and allow to agitate for about 2 minutes. Place clothing in machine and let it run through 1 wash cycle. Turn machine off and allow articles to soak over night or at least 8 hours. Put the machine through the entire cycle again. When you remove the clothes you will be shocked how clean they are and stain free.

      1. Anne Bratcher says:

        THANK YOU!!!
        My girlfriend used this recipe YEARS ago (we’re Grannies now). She bought almost ALL of her kid’s clothing from garage sales (her husband was a cheap scape). This got out the stains on the clothing so they looked NEW!
        27 years later:
        I have a friend who now buys and sells antique linens and I have been trying to find this recipe!!! XO

      2. Amanda says:

        Does this only work for whites sinve there is bleach?

  7. amy says:

    I was told years ago, to clean your dishwasher use TANG. I have not tried it yet! To clean a coffee pot use white vinegar and water.

    1. Lara says:

      Can also get powdered citric acid at the pharmacy…it tends to work faster without the extra colors…it is natural white colored….

    2. meredith says:

      Another great restaurant tip for cleaning coffee pots is to fill with ice, salt, and lemon juice and swirl periodically until ice melts a bit and then let it sit over night and rinse in morning!

      1. LIsa Lam says:

        When I worked at a restaraunt, this is the formula we used. It always amazed me at how well it got the stains ou.

    3. Joleen says:

      My mom told me to help clean out your dishwasher and make it smell better and give your dishes a pretty shine to get one packet of lemon flavored Kool Aide and put it in the part that has the lid and run the washer for a whole cycle. It starts to smell lemony fresh and looks great and the dishes and glasses don’t spot anymore. Lots cheaper than other dishwasher agents!!

      1. Gretchen Barendse says:

        You can use lemonade flavored Koolade to clean your toilets. First, add the packet of drink mix to the bowl, brush as you normally would to clean it, then let sit for 4 hours or overnight. The citric acid in the drink mix is what actually does the work….Just be sure to close the lid if you have animals….

    4. SHEILA says:

      the best way I have found to clean a coffee pot is to put about 1-2 tablespoons dry dishwashing powder in pot and fill with hot water. the pot comes clean in a matter of minutes.

      1. Donna says:

        try lime away or anything that cleans
        rust/calcium/lime cleans right out.
        you’ll have a sparkling pot.

    5. Beverly Becraft Blair says:

      To clean coffee pots or anything that is heavy spoiled by coffee stains. Crushed ice, Comet (yes Comet) and water. Swish, swish and swish and clean with sponge/scrubber
      This is how resturatants clean their coffee pots. They will sparkle afterwards.

  8. Sandy says:

    If you use lemon juice in your dishwasher along with your dishwasher soap your glasses come out sparkling.

    1. Karen says:

      thanks for the tip! Do you just mix the lemon juice right in with the detergent when you put it in?

    2. Connie says:

      Just be carefull if your dishes have paint on them. Mom has glasses with paint on them that have been washed in the dishwaser for years, but the paint started to wash off when she started adding lemon juice to her load.

    3. kathy says:

      Fill you rinse agent dispencer with white vinegar. Really works and so cheap. Also works great as fabric softener. NO your clothes don’t smell like pickles 🙂

  9. MLH says:

    To clean rings out of the toilet, this works great. First, flush the toilet and when the water is all flushed out turn it off back behind the toilet. Then spray the entire ring with warm vinegar. Sprinkle that with Borax and let sit for 1/2 hour. Then scrub the ring with drywall sandpaper. You can get this at any building supply store. With a very little elbow grease, the ring will come right off!

    1. Jenni says:

      Wow! Thanks! Will have to try that! Is it hard to turn off the toilet?

      1. MLH says:

        Not at all. The turnoff valve should sit on a water hose or pipe just behind the toilet. When all the water is flushed out, just turn the knob the only way it will go. This turns off the water to the toilet. Good luck!

    2. kathy says:

      If you use a johnny mop, you can easily push the water down the toilet. Then use a pumice stone to rub the ring out. It really works and doesn’t scratch the bowl. p.s. never use a razor blade, the cold water can shatter the blade putting your eyes in danger.

    3. Donna says:

      try the works toilet bowl cleaner takes all rings out
      with a little soaking then brush it and gone. has worked
      in apt complexes on move out.

    4. Anne Bratcher says:

      Use water. Pour a big container of water into the toilet – pour it ‘hard’. It will ‘flush’ the water level down for you.
      What water do I use?
      Sometimes I will use a large container or tub to do the dishes in. Then I use this water to dump in the toilet.

      When I empty the small plastic trash can in the bathroom, sometimes I want to wash it out. So I fill it 2/3 full from the tub, wash/swish, and dump this water into the toilet.

      Also, I frequently soak my feet in Epsom salts or just plain warm water. Then, you guessed it, I use THAT water to pour in the tub.

      Many times we have a bucket of water that can be used double duty. Just keep that trick in mind. There’s nothing to dumping the water, sprinkling on your comet or baking soda mixed with lemon juice, and walking away. Scrub brush it just before you want to sit down … easy peasy 🙂

  10. Colleen says:

    Love the site and already made my batch of 409, it works great. I received a refillable mop for Christmas and was looking for homemade floor cleaning recipes to fill the bottle. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for the help.

    1. Kit says:

      We have a small cleaning business and the best product for cleaning floors is, white vinegar and water. Vinegar is a natural rinse agent. It will not streak your floors or cause build up. Not to mention, that you are not breathing in harsh chemicals. This is a great window/glass cleaner also!

      1. Laura says:

        Can you use the vinegar/water solution on laminate wood floors?

        1. Kit says:

          Yes, you can use it on anything. Just make sure your rag is rung out well, just damp. Laminate floors should not have a lot of water on them. Hope that helps!

          1. Amy Sue says:

            anyone know what the ratio on the water and vinegar for the floors is?

            1. meredith says:

              With vinegar, a little bit goes a long way. I usually add about 1/4 cup or slightly less to my mop bucket if it’s a regular sized bucket. If you have a large or extra large bucket, you could use 1/2 a cup probably.

            2. Amy Sue says:

              Ok, Thank you! And does the vinegar sanitize in all these cleaning solutions?

            3. meredith says:

              Not totally sure what you mean, but I only use vinegar and warm water for mopping (linoleum floors, tile,and hardwoods).

          2. Holly says:

            Just DO NOT use Vinegar on Granite surfaces!! It eats away the granite and will cause holes.
            You want to avoid any type of acidic cleaner on a granite surface; that’s because acids will cause etching in the surface, which are tiny lines and fissures. Etching mars the surface of granite. Since vinegar is a strong acid, you want to leave it on the shelf when choosing a cleaner for your granite. It will clean and disinfect the surface, but it can also mar the finish permanentl

        2. Jessica says:

          Yes! It works great on tile, laminate, and most all harder surfaces.

          1. Andrea Sayers says:

            I add just a DROP of Dawn to my spray bottle of vinegar too. It cleans almost anything including windows. Stainless steel sinks with lime/water spots too. The Dawn helps break up gunk stuck to floors and counters as well.

        3. Tracy says:

          We have laminate floors and were instructed specifically to not use vinegar or water……..only LAMINATE cleaner or swifter cleaner. If you use the least bit too much water, within a year or two, your floor will become dull and start to bubble. That is what they told us. i have a friend that used vinegar and water, and 2 years later, her floors look terrible

          1. Tracy says:

            I have laminate floors, and we too were instructed not to use vinegar and water because it would dull and bubble your floors within 2 years which happened to our cousins. However, if I use laminate floor cleaner, it acts like a polish, causing every single footprint, etc to show up right after I clean it. I found a site that recommends using 1/3 water, 1/3 vinegar and 1/3 alcohol. BUT, the catch is to do a small area, then go right behind yourself and wipe it with a paper towel until dry. My floors looked claen for several days, unlike when I use laminate floor cleaner.

        4. Julie says:

          do not use vinegar on tile floors whatever you do…it ruined mine

          1. Laura says:

            I use vinegar/water on my tile floors all the time. works great with no problems.

    2. Laci says:

      Does anyone know how to get pee stains that are bright yellow from the carpet?

      1. Jenn says:

        My husband is the manager of a carpet cleaning company and he always tells me if I have to clean up pee use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Spray it on but don’t saturate it you don’t want to wash it into the pad. Then lay a towel over it and stand on it till it feels dry to the touch. You can place something heavy on it and let it sit. If that doesn’t work you will have to call a prfessional to clean it up. If you do call someone make sure to ask what they clean with. You want someone that uses an enzyme. It breaks down the dirt & oils in the carpet unlike soaps that attract dirt & make your carpet look dirty faster. I use the enzyme my husbands company uses to wash my laundry. Some companies use soaps so they get repeat business. Also don’t get suckered into protector. Most carpet now comes with it on it and if yours didn’t then it is old carpet and the protector won’t do you any good. Hope this helps.

        1. Rhonda says:

          Another item for helping to wick up liquid is a disposable diaper. Open flat and lay it on the wet area. As you walk on it wicks up the liquid without reintroducing the liquid into the floor/rug. I kept these in my van when I had small children as it was a quick pick up for any liquid spill!

      2. Brooke says:

        hydrogen peroxide diluted w/ water has always worked for me. My carpets range from blue to dark grey and beige. You’ll want to test for colorfastness prior to putting it on, I just use a spray bottle with the mix *you need to use it as soon as you mix it, it won’t ‘keep’* My mom swears by oxyclean for her dog messes, she also mixes it in a spray bottle and saturates the area, lets it sit, pats it up w/ a towel. Hope this helps 😉

        1. Amber says:

          I have used a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and dawn dish soap. This got Merlot out of my beige carpet.

      3. Heather Mitchell says:

        Old school shaving cream the white kind not the new stuff..You just spray it on and rub it in and then use a damp rag and get it up very simple and it really works…

      4. Lucy says:

        Oxiclean worked for me, but test a small spot to make sure it doesn’t lighten more than the carpet. I have also saturated area in vinegar, then spinkled baking soda, generously. let dry (do not blot) then vacuum.

    3. Andrea Sayers says:

      I have a steamer and looked up cleaners. I found I can use regular peroxide in it. Steams and sanitzes as well. I would think mop can do the same. Good luck

      Andi