Here are some tips for using and making your own household cleaners from Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Most are simple and only take a few minutes to mix.

1. NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH! Mixing these chemicals creates a harmful gas that can be fatal!

2. If you don't want to make your own cleaning supplies either purchase the store brands at your dollar store at bulk at a janitor supply.

3. Buy 1 gallon of bubble bath and use instead of liquid hand soap. It is much cheaper and smells better than regular hand soap.

4. Read the labels on any cleaning product you buy, even on common products that you, your mom and grandmother have used for years. For example for generations women have used ammonia to disinfect their kitchens, but ammonia is not a disinfectant, it is a de-greaser. It works great for that greasy grimy build-up on floors, but it isn't actually disinfecting anything.

5. Mark your cleaning pail with fingernail polish to indicate the levels of water you usually use for your jobs (i.e. 1/2 gal., 1 gal.) That way you don't waste water.

6. When using cleansers, tear the tab back only part way. Then you only get half as much cleanser so that you don't wash as much unused cleanser down the drain.

7. Save on spray cleaners. Spray the solution on a rag and then wipe. This way the extra spray cleaner is not wasted and you save time by not having to rinse off the over spray.

8. Use fabric softener sheets to dust furniture and television screens. The sheets make your furniture smell good, but more importantly, eliminate static so dust won't be attracted to these surfaces.

All purpose/Window Cleaner

I use this to clean almost everything from the bathroom to the window. This the main cleaner I use in my house.

• 1/2  cup ammonia
• 2 cups rubbing alcohol
• water
• 1 tsp. dishwashing liquid

In a one-gallon container, mix ammonia and rubbing alcohol. Fill almost to the top with water. Add dishwashing liquid and mix. Top off with water. Rated by Consumer Reports Magazine to work much better (and much cheaper) than most commercial window and kitchen sprays. Alcohol is the secret ingredient - it's what commercial window washers use. 

*Safe on most, but not all, household surfaces.

Ready Mop Cleaner Refill

• 1  gallon water
• 1 cup ammonia
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• water

Mix ingredients and use in your mops instead of buying commercial cleaner. Tip: Use a piece of scrap fleece, scrap flannel or micro-fiber towels (purchased at automotive stores) to replace your SwiferTM or Clorox Ready MopTM disposable pads. Cut several to size to have on hand. When soiled throw in the wash and launder as usual.

*Note: Don't use ammonia on wood floors. Just use vinegar and water or water and Murphy's oil soap.
 
Daily Shower Cleaner