Do D.I.Y. Cleaners Really Work? (Published 2019) (2024)

FAQs

Do DIY cleaners really work? ›

"Vinegar or baking soda does work, but you'll need to put more effort in to get the same effect of a commercial product," Dr Musgrave says. "If you have adverse reactions, or don't like the smell of commercial products, [home-made products] can be your go to."

Most natural, DIY cleaning solutions can last up to a month. But some ingredients (like hydrogen peroxide) lose their potency more quickly. Your best bet is to mix up enough for only a one-time use.

To make your own upholstery cleaner, add ½ cup distilled white vinegar, 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, and 1 cup warm water to a spray bottle. Shake well to mix.

Dish Soap DIY Glass Cleaner

Plus, it doesn't have the sour scent of vinegar if you're sensitive to strong odors. Combine 16 ounces of hot water and a few drops of mild dish soap in a large bucket. We recommend using distilled water to get a streak-free finish. Mix thoroughly and pour into a spray bottle.

Acetic acid is a colorless organic compound that gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell. It's also an ingredient in some store-bought household cleaners. The acidic nature of vinegar is so powerful it can dissolve mineral deposit, dirt, grease, and grime. It's also strong enough to kill bacteria.

There's no need to rinse your vinegar-mopping solution from your floors. Keep in mind that your floors should be drying very quickly if you've wrung out your mop sufficiently.

What do professionals use to clean floors? ›

Additionally, professionals often turn to specialized machines such as floor stripping machines, sweeping machines, and carpet extractors, each calibrated for a specific type of floor and cleaning requirement.

After trying different commercial cleaners, we decided to mix one part Dawn dish soap and to two parts white vinegar, which I had on hand, in a bucket and mopped the floor with the soapy mixture. How it actually worked: The combo was a winner and brought the floor (almost) back to its original glory.

Is house cleaning exercise? Yes, cleaning the house is exercise! From sweeping to scrubbing dishes to dusting, all that moving around is definitely burning calories. Of course, not all forms of cleaning and exercise are created equal.

Common natural cleaner ingredients include vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, castile soap, citric acid, and essential oils. Do these natural cleaners actually work? Yes, but some green cleaning products are formulated for specific purposes, and they may not be effective in all situations.

To save money

In many cases, making your own cleaning and personal care products is cheaper than the conventional, store-bought alternatives. That's not always the case though. If your main reason in making homemade products is to save money, you'll want to be sure to add up all the costs before starting.