Frugal Cleaning Tips
For A Squeaky Clean Money Saving Home

Frugal cleaning comes very high on my list of cost cutting priorities.

After all, have you noticed just how expensive all those different cleaning products are and how the advertisers are always telling us that if we don’t use them we are going to have a germ filled house?

It’s amazing how the human race has survived for so long without all these chemical cleaners, isn’t it?

Well that’s it, we don’t need them and we can carry out our frugal cleaning safe in the knowledge that our homes will be just as clean and safe, but without spending a small fortune (and not polluting the environment).

picture by Rothwb

Buying cleaning products the frugal way

If you do want to buy your cleaning products then there are a few tips to keep in mind that will help save on money:
Buy the shops own brand and not the leading brand names.

• Buy the concentrate version if there is one.

• Buy the biggest option, in the long run it will work out cheaper.

• Always measure out your products using the recommendations on the packaging.

Make your own frugal cleaning products

I picked up a lot of great frugal cleaning tips from my grandmother. She was used to making her money stretch and lived in an era when chemical cleaners were not in existence.

She lived in a spotlessly clean house and lived to a ripe old age, thus proving that the basic cleaning products she used were just as good at their job.

With a few simple ingredients to hand, you can make your own multipurpose frugal cleaning products at a fraction of the cost and without polluting your home with harmful chemicals.

The basic ingredients are:

• White Vinegar – excellent for killing germs, bacteria and mould.

• Baking Soda – A great deodoriser and scourer.

• Lemon Juice – the acid provides antibacterial and antiseptic properties as well as providing a wonderful fresh smell to your home.

• Olive Oil – Good for polishing wood surfaces and adding shine to stainless steel.

• Salt – A multi purpose cleaner and deodoriser, great for frugal cleaning as it is so cheap to buy.

picture by DRB62

A few basic frugal cleaning recipes

All of these recipes have been tested over the years but it always best to try the cleaner on a small area first to make sure that it does not harm your item.

All these cleaners can be made up and kept for later use.

Multipurpose Worktop, splash back and floor cleaner:

• 1 cup white vinegar1 cup water
• Mix together and wipe over surfaces

Wood polish:

• 1 cup olive oil
• Half cup lemon juice
• Mix together. Use a small amount on a soft cloth. After applying, rub off and buff with a dry soft cloth.

Fridge odours

• 1 cup dry baking soda
• Place on a saucer and place in the back of the fridge. The soda will neutralise bad odours.

If mixed with warm water can be used to wash the inside of the fridge out.

Blocked drain cleaner:

• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup vinegar
• Mix together and pour down the drain. Leave for a few minutes then flush the drain with hot water.

Stubborn stains:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup borax
• Mix and pour onto the stain. Leave for at least 10 minutes then using a scourer rub off. (Only use on surfaces that will not scratch)

Carpet freshener:

• Dry baking soda
• Sprinkle on the carpet and leave for 1 hour then vacuum up.

picture by Mewtate

Reduce and protect

A lot of money is wasted on replacing items that have not been cared for correctly or are items that are simply thrown away after use.

Frugal cleaning is also about using things wisely and frugally and extending the life of items so that they do not need replacing so often.

Paper is used in the home far more than immediately comes to mind and can be reduced or replaced by a reusable item:

• Napkins – why not invest in some quality cloth napkins that can not only be washed and reused time after time but also add that certain touch of style to your meals.

• Toilet paper – The shop brand toilet paper is much cheaper to buy than the luxury brands and a lot of them are made from recycled paper. Try to get everyone to reduce the amount of paper they use.

• Kitchen roll - use cloths and sponges to wipe up spills. Kitchen roll can be very expensive and is very wasteful.

• Carpets are very expensive items to replace and can look grubby and lose their brightness if not cared for properly. A little TLC can increase the life of your carpet and keep your home smelling fresh and looking at it’s best.

• Reduce fade – Keep strong sunlight from shining on to the carpet by closing blinds during the sunniest part of the day.

• Vaccuum – by regularly cleaning the carpet you will be removing grit from the carpet that will wear the carpet out if left.

• Door Mats – make sure door mats are placed at the entrance to reduce dirt being tramped in onto the carpet.

• Shoes – remove shoes when walking in the house.