Cheap and easy DIY cleaning products to make your life easier

Experts say this cheap and freely available item does wonders in cleaning the home – and chances are, you already have it in your pantry.

Katrina Springer from The Organised Housewife says DIY cleaning solutions come with a range of benefits. Picture: Katrina Springer

Vinegar has been described as a cheap and effective ingredient for most household cleaning as Australians look to cut costs at the checkout.

It comes amid a cost of living crisis that has seen grocery costs soar almost 10 per cent over the 12 months to April, according to UBS analysis.

CUTTING DOWN ON CLEANING LUXURIES

Housework can be quite an expensive chore. As grocery costs rise and inflation continues to bite, the last thing shoppers want is to spend big on cleaning products – especially if they contain chemical nasties. And while environmentally conscious individuals will often pay more for eco-friendly products, there is little evidence to suggest more expensive cleaners do a better job, CHOICE spokesperson Alice Richard says.

Cleanfluencer Katrina Springer from The Organised Housewife.

BUDGET-SAVVY CLEANING

Testing conducted by the consumer review site showed some of the best and natural products on the market ranged from 17 cents to $1.20 per 100ml, including Aldi Green Action Bath & Shower Cleaner and Rhythm All Purpose Cleaner, which had CHOICE expert ratings of 80 per cent and 90 per cent respectively.

Another easy way to cut cleaning costs while reducing chemical pollution is to limit the number of different cleaners you use, says Ms Richard.

“Our tests show there’s virtually no difference between multipurpose cleaners and kitchen sprays,” she says. “When it comes to the laundry, you can save money and lessen your environmental impact by using less detergent per wash – our tests show that you can use as little as a third of the recommended dose and still get a great wash.”

It’s good to avoid using harsh chemicals in the home. Picture: David Caird

CHEAP AND EASY DIY CLEANERS

Making your own natural cleaning products is another cost-effective way of keeping your home clean while helping the environment.

Author and “cleanfluencer” Katrina Springer of The Organised Housewife says three common household substances are all that are needed for the majority of cleaning tasks at home.

“I use three simple ingredients: vinegar, dishwashing detergent and water, in various ratios to clean different areas of the home,” she says. “The vinegar is effective at dissolving grease and removing dirt, plus it has some disinfectant properties. Dishwashing liquid breaks down dirt and cuts through grease and grime build up.”

“When you think the cost of a 2L bottle of vinegar is $1.70 and commercial cleaners can range from $3 to $6 per bottle, the savings can add up quickly – potentially cutting the cost of cleaning in half, if not more.”

White vinegar is a cheap and effective cleaning ingredient. Picture: Marc McCormack

She says a vinegar-based solution is also safe for kids and pets while being skin-friendly.

“I have three family members with skin allergies such as eczema and psoriasis,” she says. “Using natural products helps to reduce skin irritation.”

She suggests an easy multipurpose spray made with 1 cup water, 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1/4 cup dishwashing liquid.

The smell of the vinegar quickly dissipates and you can offset this by adding some essential oils, she says.

METHO AND MICROFIBRE

Not only are microfibre cloths better for the environment since you can wash and reuse them, they are also cheap. Ms Springer has her own range of cloths in pretty colours for those wanting a dose of cheer when they clean.

Katrina Springer has her own range of microfibre cleaning cloths. Picture: Katrina Springer

Hipages Group Customer Advisory Board member and proprietor of AZ Cleaning and Property Services Andrea Zappacosta also uses microfibre cloths, as well as a DIY cleaning spray he swears by.

“A lot of people don’t know that methylated spirits is a product you can use for cleaning a range of surfaces,” he says. “It’s a denatured alcohol that works on some plastics, metals, ceramic, glass, vinyl, porcelain and upholstery.”

One of the greatest benefits of using metho is its disinfectant action, so you can clean and kill bacteria at the same time. He buys it in bulk from Bunnings and dilutes 70 per cent metho to 30 per cent water. He also adds a few drops of essential oil to improve the fragrance.

Research shows hot water is just effective as commercial floor cleaner.

“It dries quickly and doesn’t leave any streaks or residues,” he says, making it perfect for cleaning windows and stainless steel.

While it is alcohol-based and emits some fumes, it is still safer than many supermarket brands containing bleach or ammonia – as long as you use common sense around kids and pets.

HOT WATER POWER

Perhaps the cheapest and most natural cleaning product around is hot water, Ms Richard says.

“Our tests show that floor cleaners generally aren’t much better than plain water, so you’re better off saving your money and using a bit of elbow grease instead,” she says. “Floor cleaners don’t do much to actually clean your floor – it’s the scrubbing action that does.”

For carpets, she suggests a home recipe from Stay At Home Mum of two tablespoons dishwashing liquid, three tablespoons white vinegar and 1/4 cup water. To clean a spill, mop up excess water before working the solution into the satin and blotting it dry with a towel.

Natural remedies are safer for the whole family.

“It only scored 49 per cent in our review, but that’s actually better than a number of more expensive products in our carpet stain remover review,” she says.

WHAT NOT TO DO

While natural products are often the safest, there are some big cautions you should keep in mind. The first is to be careful of what you use on different surfaces. You should never use acidic cleaners such as lemon on granite or marble and other stones, as it could strip the surface. When using metho, avoid some plastics and varnished or painted wooden surfaces, as the metho could degrade the finish.

The second, and most important, rule is to never mix vinegar with bleach, says Ms Richard.

“It can create dangerous chlorine gas,” she says.