Learn how to make cheap and effective DIY soft scrub cleaner out of just a few ingredients—it works like a charm all around the home!
Make Cheap and Effective DIY Soft Scrub Cleaner
Sure, most people don’t get excited about cleaning supplies. But I think you’re going to get excited about this one. It’s a cheap and effective homemade soft scrub cleaner made out of baking soda, vinegar, and vodka, so you can fix yourself a cocktail while you’re whipping up a batch.
I used this mixture to clean the tub in our new place last weekend, and it was so freaking rewarding. It’s a paste-like mixture, so I put on gloves and spread it out all over the tub. I let it sit for a few minutes, sprayed the tub down with a spray bottle full of water, and then used a scrub brush. That tub was so unbelievably clean when I washed everything away.
Here are the supplies I used for a small batch:
–2 tbsp plain white vinegar is cheap cleaning staple. And the smell doesn’t doesn’t linger. Vinegar is a weak form of acetic acid. FYI, I’ve read you shouldn’t use vinegar-based cleaning products on granite, marble, stone, and some hardwood finishes. Definitely look into whether or not you should use vinegar (or any cleaning ingredient) on your particular surface.
– 1/2 cup baking soda adds some grit to the mixture and also helps deodorize. Plus it’s very fun to make baking soda volcanoes by pouring vinegar into a bowl of baking soda.
-1 tbsp vodka is an excellent, inexpensive disinfecting product. I once had a wonderful doctor who told me about a time she was on vacation in Mexico and removed a friend’s ingrown toenail using only vodka for sterilization. Gross, but I miss her–wish she hadn’t gone back to Canada 🙂 You can also put bottom-shelf vodka in a spray bottle and spray it on surfaces as a disinfectant. It’s highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
-10 drops peppermint essential oil for scent (I use NOW Foods brand).
And here’s I made cheap and effective soft scrub cleaner!
(Don’t use any ingredients you’re allergic to, and always spot test new ingredients to make sure you don’t have a reaction to them. Do not use any homemade products without consulting with an appropriate medical professional first.)
Step 1: First I mixed the vinegar, vodka, and peppermint oil in a bowl.
Step 2: While stirring, I dumped in the baking soda. The mixture became a paste.
And that’s it! I used gloved hands or a brush to spread the mixture over the dirty surface. I let it sit for a few minutes and then scrubbed off. Also, I used a spray bottle full of water to add a bit of moisture when scrubbing and then rinsed thoroughly.
The peppermint is optional, but it makes the room smell amazing. This is a fantastic option for cleaning pet items, too, but I hold off on the peppermint scent when cleaning our kitty pans since cats can be finicky about scents.
Like this? Check out my DIY rosemary and lavender carpet powder, my upcycled wine bottle bud vase, and my tips on painting upcycled glass jars!
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