Spring cleaning: Homemade cleaning solutions to try

If you're searching for low-cost and environmentally-friendly products to use for spring cleaning, look no further than your kitchen pantry.

It's surprisingly simple to concoct your own cleaning supplies from inexpensive household staples. Not only are homemade cleaning products cost effective, the DIY-versions lack many of the harsh chemicals and toxic pollutants sometimes found in store bought cleaning supplies.

According to information from Florida Department of Environmental Protection , most household cleaning supplies can be formulated from the following readily-available ingredients:

Baking Soda
Lemon juice
Vinegar
Soda ash (also known as sodium carbonate)
Liquid dish soap
Essential oils
Vegetable or olive oil

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection also suggests the following recipes for homemade cleaners:

All-purpose cleaner

Small amount of liquid dish soap
1/2 teaspoon soda ash or baking soda
2 cups hot water
Combine the above ingredients in a spray bottle; shake until the mixture has dissolved. Clean surfaces by spraying and then wiping away with a towel or sponge.

Furniture polish

1/2 cup lemon juice
1 cup vegetable or olive oil
Mix the above ingredients in a bottle. Apply a small amount to a lint-free towel or rag, then dust or polish furniture and other surfaces.

Glass cleaner

1 gallon of water
1/2 teaspoon of liquid dish soap
1/2 cup vinegar
Combine the above ingredients in a spray bottle; shake until the mixture has dissolved. Clean windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces by spraying and then wiping away with a lint-free towel or sponge.

Interested in finding more eco-friendly, homemade cleaning supplies? Look no further than the blogosphere. The links below will connect you with more recipes and instructions:

Laundry detergent
Citrus-peel cleaners
Home-made toilet bowl cleaner
Glass cleaners
Using rubbing alcohol as a cleaner
Peppermint bathroom cleaner