Making your own cleaning supplies is not only a great way to save money, but a great way to save the environment as well. In this article, CoolMomsCare founder Michelle Andrade shares ways to do both.

When I frantically chased after my little girl as she walked into the freshly mopped kitchen and scrubbed her feet I realized it was time to Go Green in my cleaning. No more would I be afraid of what is in the products we use and I would always read labels from here on out.

I have heard it said that health food stores are trendy. I do not think I am exactly "trendy," but I began to frequent them more and more and the more and more I went, the more I saw how much more expensive they are than traditional stores. This being said, I decided to try some recipes to create my own cleaning supplies that are safe, effective, and less expensive.

I have never been one for following instructions or recipes. I always have to modify or alter them to my liking. The great part about most of these recipes is that alterations are fine. Be creative with your favorite scents. I love peppermint, orange, lemon, lavender, and tea tree oils. If you find you do not like one, don't worry, you will have plenty of opportunities to try out new ideas.

REMINDER: vinegar and baking soda will cause a chemical reaction resulting in bubbly foam (remember volcanoes in junior high).

What I used:

• Vinegar
  
• Baking Soda
  
• Water
  
• Essential Oils
  
• Pure Castile Soap (or Dr. Bronner's)
  
• 4 Spray Bottles (I found them for $1 at the Dollar Tree)
  

Bottle 1

White Vinegar

Ingredients
5% Distilled White Vinegar

Uses
I use it on all hard, nonporous surfaces. It acts as a multipurpose spray: it disinfects any surface, breaks up dirt and eliminates odors (the nice aroma of vinegar goes away fairly quickly). I spray this on my cutting board, counter tops and sink in the kitchen before bed.

What I learned
LOVE IT! I will always have a bottle of vinegar around!

Bottle 2

Lemon Scented, Multipurpose Spray

Ingredients
2 Cups Water to 1 Tablespoon Baking Soda (enough to dissolve)
10 Drops Lemon Oil (enough for a scent)

Uses
I clean anything in the bathroom or kitchen and my little girl's hard-surfaced toys.

What I learned
This works really well on tile, tubs and sinks. I do not like the residue it seems to leave on my granite counter tops, so I use the vinegar for those. I like the lemon scent, and I think I needed to put more lemon oil in.

Bottle 3

Peppermint Scented, Multipurpose Spray

Ingredients
2 Cups Water to 1 Tablespoon Castile Soap (dish soap or Dr. Bronner's work well, too)
10 Drops Peppermint Oil

Uses
I clean the bathroom and kitchen.

What I learned
Peppermint oil is REALLY strong. Next time, I will probably use a different scent, as this one is overpowering. I think tea tree oil will be my next choice.

Bottle 4

Lemon Scented Furniture Polish

Ingredients
2 Cups Vinegar to 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
10 Drops Lemon Oil

Uses
Dust and polish any wood surface. I have also used it on a desk I have with leather (but make sure and test any surface in an inconspicuous place before using it all over).

What I learned
This combination smells rather strange. I believe my olive oil may have gone bad (olive oils should not have a strong scent). The oils obviously separate from the vinegar, so it needs to be swished around prior to each spray. On my next batch, I used less olive oil and added some orange oil instead. I liked it much better.

What recipes have you tried? Share your secrets with us in the comments below.

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