Budgeting Tips to Get out of Debt and Build Wealth

Some cleaning products are cheaper to pick up at the dollar store than to make your own.  However, if you can get vinegar and isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol on sale, stock up and save money by making your own glass cleaner.

There are different combinations of ingredients mentioned for your basic homemade glass cleaner recipe, but essentially this is the old stand-by, and works great.

Start with an empty plastic bottle, such as one you can get in the garden center at Wal-mart or Lowes, or a well-rinsed spray bottle from your old store-bought window cleaner.  Into this put:

- 3/4 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1/4 cup water
(also could add a couple of tablespoons of vinegar to this)

or if you want to use it to get rid of hard water deposits, for instance on your shower doors:

- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 cup water

One tip I read somewhere about cleaning mirrors: if you’ve been using Windex or other commercial cleaning products to clean your mirrors, there may be a film built up on them.  You might need to take a hot soapy (try dish soap) washcloth to the mirror to clean off the residue before starting to clean with your homemade glass cleaner, or you’ll see streaks the first time.

Have fun and experiment with the right mix for what you want to clean.  If you want, use some drops of lemon oil or orange oil to add a pleasant scent.  You may like your own recipe for window cleaner than buying them at the store, even if they are on sale!

Posted By: Frugal Living - Reducing Spending, Household Cleaners by Darcy