In our modern era of consumerism and convenience, our cleaning routines have become intertwined with a dizzying array of commercial products. We find ourselves surrounded by shelves filled with an endless assortment of sprays, wipes, and solutions, each promising to be the ultimate answer to our cleaning needs. However, beneath the allure of these seemingly magical potions lies a darker truth. The overconsumption of conventional cleaning solutions not only perpetuates the cycle of excessive plastic waste and clogged landfills, but it also poses a significant threat to our health and the fragile balance of our environment.These commercially available cleaning products often contain a cocktail of harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, and toxins that can have detrimental effects on our well-being. As we scrub our countertops and wipe away grime, we unknowingly release a cloud of harmful fumes into the air we breathe. Furthermore, the chemicals from these products find their way into our waterways, polluting streams and rivers, and disrupting the delicate ecosystems they support. The consequences of our dependence on conventional cleaning solutions are far-reaching. Plastic waste from single-use cleaning bottles and packaging contributes to the global plastic pollution crisis, with devastating effects on wildlife and natural habitats. The production and disposal of these products also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, exacerbating the already pressing issue of climate change.It's time to break free from this cycle of consumerism and embrace a simpler, greener way of keeping our homes clean. Welcome to the world of DIY cleaning products, where innovation meets sustainability and we take control of our cleaning. You should be DIY-ing your cleaning products. Here’s how.

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Cleaning products can be a real chemical battleground, posing risks not only to us humans but also to the environment and its inhabitants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has labeled many of these chemicals as "volatile organic compounds," which sounds more like a crust punk band name than something you want near your sinks and toilets. We're talking about phosphorous, nitrogen, and ammonia, the troublemakers behind the sparkling cleanliness of your dishes and surfaces.But here's the kicker: When you use these chemicals, they don't just disappear into thin air like a magic trick gone wrong. Oh no, they go down the drain, on a watery adventure to wastewater treatment facilities. These facilities work hard to remove the majority of contaminants before the water returns to our precious rivers and lakes. But guess what? Not all of those sneaky contaminants are completely eliminated. They linger like party crashers, wreaking havoc on wildlife and ecosystems. That’s fucked. So let’s learn to DIY this shit.Here’s my disclaimer before we get into the handy step-by-steps. Cleaning can be a wild ride, but no single product can conquer every surface. Take vinegar and water, for example—it's great for windows but not for delicate stones like granite. Know your ingredients and assess the material you're cleaning - google is very useful. Safety first! Use a new container, label it clearly, and never mix products without researching their compatibility.

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Let’s start out with the big boy - the vinegar-based all purpose cleaner:
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Step 1: Grab a clean spray bottle and fill it with equal parts vinegar and distilled water. Remember, distilled water is the way to go to avoid any unwanted scratches or water spots on your surfaces. If you don't have distilled water, just boil some water, let it cool, and mix it with the other ingredients.
Step 2: Get creative and customise your DIY cleaner. Add a personal touch with essential oils, citrus zest, or even some fresh herbs. If you're feeling fancy, add about 10 drops of your favourite essential oil to the water and vinegar mixture in the spray bottle. Just make sure to use a glass spray bottle if you're using essential oils, as they can degrade some plastic bottles.

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You’re done. That’s literally it. Lightly mist the surfaces you want to clean and grab a lint-free micro-fibre cloth.  If you stick to vinegar and distilled water, your mixture will last indefinitely. However, if you've added citrus peels or herbs, bid them farewell after one month.

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Nice, but what about your grimy shower? Obvs you need to make an alcohol-based glass cleaner. Let's talk about the star ingredient: isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. You can find it at your local drug store in two concentrations: 70 percent and 99 percent. For our household cleaning needs, we recommend going with the 70 percent option. Why? Well, the higher water content in this solution actually works to our advantage. It helps the solvent dissolve more slowly, making it a pro at breaking apart those stubborn dirt and grease molecules. Plus, rubbing alcohol evaporates in a flash, leaving your windows streak-free and sparkling.

Step 1: Grab a new, clean spray bottle and pour in 1 cup of rubbing alcohol, 1 cup of distilled water (remember, we want to avoid any trace minerals or chemicals that can wreak havoc on our window glass), and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Give it a good shake to mix everything up.

Step 2: Don't forget to label the bottle.

It’s that easy!! It’s kind of mad to think that there’s so many ingredients in standard cleaning products when you can make an effective solution with three common household bits, innit?

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We all want soft and snuggly clothes, so we turn to fabric softener, which works slathering fabrics with lubricating chemicals, making them feel as smooth as a baby's bum - or something less creepy-  and warding off those pesky electric shocks that zap us in the dryer. But before you plunge headfirst into the embrace of commercial fabric softeners, let me reveal a not-so-soft secret. These softeners can be a bit mischievous, leaving spots on your favorite garments, reducing the absorbency of your beloved towels, and even meddling with the flame-retardant qualities of babies’ sleepwear. If you go overboard with the softener obsession, it can leave a pesky film inside your washing machine, becoming a haven for mould spores, or inside your dryer, wreaking havoc on the automatic dryness sensor.

You can still pamper your clothes, towels, and bed sheets with a touch of homemade fabric softeners. And the best part? You can whip up these magical potions using simple household products, obvs.

First, fabric softener:

Step 1: Gather the necessary ingredients for your homemade fabric softener. You will need 1 1/2 cups of warm water, 3/4 cup of vinegar, and 1/2 cup of hair conditioner. These components will work together to create a softening solution for your laundry.
Step 2: If you want to make a larger batch, adjust the quantities accordingly. Maintain a ratio of six parts water, three parts distilled white vinegar, and two parts hair conditioner to ensure the right balance of ingredients.
Step 3: Using a kitchen funnel, carefully pour the measured ingredients into a quart-sized glass or plastic storage bottle. This will serve as a container for your fabric softener.
Step 4: Secure the bottle's lid tightly and give it a good shake or stir to thoroughly mix the ingredients. This will ensure that all components blend together effectively.

To Use:
Option 1: If your washing machine has an automatic fabric softener dispenser, simply fill it with your DIY fabric softener. This will allow the softener to be released during the rinse cycle and infuse your clothes with a gentle touch.
Option 2: Alternatively, you can add one to two tablespoons of the fabric softener mixture directly to the washing machine's rinse cycle. This will ensure that the softener is evenly distributed and provides the desired softness to your laundry.

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What about dryer sheets? Oh you already know we’re making those too.

Step 1: In a plastic container with a resealable lid, mix 1 cup of distilled white vinegar with 8-10 drops of your preferred essential oil. The vinegar helps soften the fabric while the essential oil adds a pleasant scent to your laundry.
Step 2: Take 3-4 cotton fabric squares and place them in the solution. Ensure that the fabric squares are fully saturated with the mixture. These squares will act as your homemade dryer sheets.
Step 3: Before using the fabric squares, wring out the excess liquid until they are just damp. This will prevent excessive moisture in the dryer.

To Use:
Step 1: Add the damp fabric square to the top of a load of wet laundry in the dryer. Ensure that the fabric sheet is distributed evenly among the clothes.
Step 2: Set the dryer to a medium heat setting and proceed with drying the load as usual. The fabric square will release the softening and freshening properties into
the dryer, imparting them to your laundry.

Once the laundry is dry, remove the fabric square from the dryer. You can reuse the same square multiple times. Simply add it back to the container for future use.

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Feeling fancy? Make some wool dryer balls.

Step 1: Create the cores by winding wool yarn or wool fabric strips into a ball. Continue winding until each ball is approximately 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Secure the end of the yarn by running it under several strands of yarn. Repeat this process to make 3-4 cores.
Step 2: Place each core in an old sock or pair of tights. Tie a piece of cotton string around the sock between each core to keep them separated. This will prevent them from sticking together during the shrinking process.
Step 3: Fill a pot with hot water and add the sock containing the cores. Bring the water to a boil to shrink or felt the cores. Once boiling, remove the pot from the heat source and allow the balls to soak until the water cools.
Step 4: Squeeze out any excess water from the balls and place the sock of balls in the dryer to dry on high heat. This will help further shrink and solidify the cores. Once dry, cut the strings between the balls and remove them from the sock or whatever footwear you boiled them in.
Step 5: Using the shrunken cores, begin the wrapping process again with wool yarn or fabric strips. Continue wrapping until each ball reaches a diameter of approximately 3 1/2 inches. This outer layer will provide additional durability and effectiveness to the dryer balls.
Step 6: Repeat the soaking and drying process with the newly wrapped dryer balls. This will help the outer layer set and become more secure.

To Use:
Simply toss two or three balls into the dryer with each load of wet laundry. As the dryer operates, the balls will help separate the clothes, allowing the heated air to circulate better and dry the items more efficiently. This process results in softer fabrics and reduces drying time.

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Cleaning floors may not be the most glamorous task, but it's a necessary evil for a tidy and hygienic home. Guess what? You can make your floor cleaner. It’s great, especially for people who have smaller versions of themselves crawling around - no hidden ingredients or toxic chemicals lurking in the shadows. You can even play mixologist and add your favourite scent or keep it au natural for those who prefer a fragrance-free experience.

Step 1: Grab yourself a bucket and gather the necessary cleaning supplies. You’re going to want to mix 1 gallon of warm water, 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar, and optionally, add 2-3 drops of your favourite essential oil for a pleasant scent.
Before mopping, ensure you vacuum or dust mop your floors to remove loose dirt and debris.
Step 2: Dip a microfibre mop into the cleaning solution, making sure to wring it out well to avoid excessive dripping. The mop should be damp but not soaking wet - that can warp your flooring.
Step 3: Begin mopping the floors, working in small sections and using smooth, even strokes. Pay extra attention to high-traffic areas and any stubborn stains or spots.

Allow the floors to air dry naturally. Bosh.

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