I Stopped Buying These Cleaning Supplies From Dollar Tree and Started DIYing Them

In an effort to be more eco-friendly and save money, I decided to stop buying cleaning supplies from Dollar Tree and started to make my own. Not only have I reduced my environmental footprint by minimizing plastic waste, but I’ve also found that homemade cleaners can be just as effective (if not more effective) than their store-bought counterparts.

Here are some of the cleaning supplies I’ve replaced with DIY versions, along with the recipes I use to create them.

One of the most versatile cleaning products in any home is the all-purpose cleaner. It’s used on countertops, appliances, and many other surfaces. I was buying bottles of this regularly, but now I make my own using simple ingredients.

DIY Recipe:

• 1 part water
• 1 part white vinegar
• A few drops of essential oils (like lemon or lavender) for a pleasant scent

Mix these ingredients in a spray bottle and you’ve got a powerful cleaner that’s safe for most surfaces and costs only pennies to make.

Streak-free windows and mirrors were something I thought only store-bought cleaners could achieve. I was wrong. A DIY glass cleaner works just as well, if not better, than the blue stuff I used to buy.

DIY Recipe:

• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup white or cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup 70% rubbing alcohol
• 1 to 2 drops of orange essential oil (for scent and additional cleaning power)

Mix these ingredients in a spray bottle, spray it on your glass or mirrored surface, and wipe with a microfiber cloth or paper towel. Do a second wipe with a dry towel to really up the shine factor.

The bathroom is a place where I used to use a lot of harsh chemicals (bleach was the main culprit) to get the job done. Now, I use a simple scrub that’s easy on the environment and my wallet.

DIY Recipe:

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
• 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap

Combine the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste, then add the dish soap. Apply with a scrub brush or old toothbrush, scrub, and rinse away. It works wonders on the grime that gets stuck on grout and tile.

It’s essential to have a good disinfectant on hand, because you never know what a family member could bring home from work or school. Instead of buying a disinfectant, I make a simple solution that’s based on alcohol, which is known for its germ-killing properties.

DIY Recipe:

• 2 cups of rubbing alcohol (70% or higher concentration)
• 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide
• A few drops of tea tree oil (optional for its natural antiseptic properties)

Mix these ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray it on surfaces that need disinfecting, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe clean. It’s important to note that while this DIY disinfectant is effective for general cleaning, it’s not a substitute for commercial disinfectants when dealing with serious pathogens.

Laundry detergent is another item I used to pick up without a second thought. Now, I make my own, and it’s just as effective and much gentler on fabrics.

DIY Recipe:

• 1 bar of grated castile soap
• 1 cup of washing soda
• 1 cup of borax

Combine these ingredients and use 1-2 tablespoons per load, depending on the size and soil level. This homemade laundry detergent is low-sudsing and safe for high-efficiency (HE) machines.

Dishwasher detergent tabs are convenient, but making a powdered version at home has saved me a bundle and reduced waste. Plus, it puts less chemicals in the wastewater system, which is better for the environment. 

DIY Recipe:

• 1 cup of washing soda
• 1 cup of baking soda
• 1/2 cup of salt
• 1/2 cup of citric acid

Mix these dry ingredients well and store them in an airtight container (if moisture gets to the mixture it will clump up and be difficult to measure). Use 1 tablespoon per dishwasher load.

My wooden furniture used to get a glossy finish from aerosol cans of polish, but now I use a natural, two-ingredient polish that nourishes the wood. You can probably find these ingredients in your kitchen.

DIY Recipe:

• 1 cup of olive oil
• 1/2 cup of lemon juice

Mix these two ingredients in a spray bottle or bowl. Apply it to a soft cloth and polish your wooden furniture, wiping off any excess.