Until very recently, I admittedly never paid close attention to the cost of cleaning supplies. Mostly because I just didn’t want to know. Also because, I knew I was paying a premium for “all natural” cleaning aids that were likely not “all natural”.

In light of a recent health diagnosis that requires me to be more careful about exposing myself to harsh chemicals and airborne irritants, I decided to take the time and research exactly how natural the products I was using were, and how much I am actually overpaying for them.

It was not at all surprising to discover that unless I am going to make the cleaning products myself, they will never really be natural. Also, the cost is a bit ridiculous. I discovered that a family of 4 will spend close to $1,000 per year on natural cleaning and laundry products. I can’t be alone in thinking that’s a bit nuts. So I pulled the plug and decided to make my own. I was never really interested in doing it before because I was of the mindset that whatever I made at home wouldn’t actually “clean” my stuff. For som reason, if it didn’t have harsher chemicals in it, it wasn’t going to do the job. Welp, I just cleaned my house top to bottom with two things and I stand VERY corrected.

That bottle of all purpose cleaner? I made it. It cleaned counters, toilets, mirrors and windows…literally every surface. And for the really grimy places like inside of toilets and shower tile, Bon Ami and a scrub brush worked wonders. I can now say that cleaners that are actually “all natural” really do clean, and you don’t need to fill your house with all the chemicals and fragrance. Here is the recipe for the all purpose cleaner if you’d like to make some for yourself:

• 1 cup filtered water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• juice of 1 lemon
• juice of 1 lime

That’s literally it y’all. It’s amazing. You need to try it, you’ll thank me!