With all of the other ways to save using your own homemade mixes, is it any surprise you can save by making a homemade soft scrub cleaner, too? Whether you just want the plain, quick-cleaning kind or you’d like yours to have a nice scent and de-greasing power, just whip up one of the recipes below.
Note: to clean small spots, simply wet a wash cloth or sponge and sprinkle on some baking soda. For bigger jobs, or to keep a jar of cleaner ready for use, try one of these:
Standard Homemade Soft Scrub Cleaner
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 2 tbsp. liquid dish detergent (Dawn Original works great)
- 2 tbsp. white vinegar
Combine the baking soda and dish detergent to make a paste, then stir in the vinegar. You can use more vinegar if you’d like a thinner consistency and it will only add more cleaning power to the mix. Store in a small jar. To use, apply with a microfiber cloth, scrub and rinse dry.
Scented Homemade Soft Scrub Cleaner
- 3/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup castile soap (Dr. Bronner’s Lavender or Peppermint are both nice)
- 1 tbsp. white vinegar
- 6-8 drops essential oil (I like to match the soap’s scent)
In a bowl, combine the baking soda and soap. Slowly stir in the vinegar (it will make a little fizz). Add essential oil until you’re happy with the fragrance, then thin the mixture with enough water to get a consistency you like. Store in a squeeze bottle to keep handy. To use, apply with a microfiber cloth, scrub and rinse dry.
Equipment you may need:
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear Katie,
Those are great tips and they are rather cheap to make too.
Thanks for your comforting comment. There was another tragedy however… one more cancer death. You can read my post of today about double tragedy. I will be glad when we move past these emotional days. Life goes on but it is heavy at times.
Hugs to you and wishing you all the best.
Mariette
Oh Mariette, I am so sorry your family is going through such a difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
This is awesome and another tip I’m very keen to try-perhaps on my kitchen sink this weekend
No nasty chemicals either. Love all of your tips Katie!
Thank you, Raquel! I’m fanatic about cleaning my kitchen sink. It’s old, and if I don’t stay on top of it the thing stinks up my kitchen. This recipe saves me a fortune as a result!
These are great recipes and so much less expensive than Soft Scrub.
Yes, it’s much less expensive and not toxic!
Good morning Ms Katie I have a question my friend has a cat and her basement is invested with fleas , her poor cat look horrible I took my dog to the vet and told her about it she give me flea meds but the basement is still invested her bugman sprays every other week , I even bought her seven dust and still the fleas are there … Do you hve any idea what else we can do ?
and want to thank you for all your wonderful post , and hope your husband is doing well also , yours truly Jackie
Getting rid of fleas is a horrible task, especially in damp, dark areas like basements, which fleas absolutely love. The first step: wash all of the pet bedding in hot water. Then vacuum thoroughly, including every crevice at the base of walls, under cushions, the cushions themselves, the back and sides of furniture, etc. To keep fleas from breeding in your vacuum, toss a flea collar into the bag and be sure to throw the bag in the garbage after you’re done. Next, take the pets to the groomers for flea baths. While they’re there, shampoo the carpets using hot water with some Borax added to it. (When diluted with water, it’s pet-safe but will kill insects.) Finally, be sure to vacuum thoroughly again at least every other day to get rid of newly hatched bugs, and spray the floors immediately afterward with water to which you’ve added a few drops of lemon oil. (Bugs don’t like citrus.) Also, be sure to treat the lawn so neither people nor pets track more fleas in!