Moving out and living on your own for the first time can be expensive, but keeping your first apartment clean doesn’t have to be. Common household supplies such as lemon juice, baking soda, and vinegar can be your best friends for keeping your apartment clean on a budget. Read below to learn about the best DIY apartment cleaners you can make with things you already have!
All-purpose cleaner
The first cleaner you’ll want in your new apartment is a simple all-purpose cleaning spray. To make one, simply mix one part water with one part white vinegar and, optionally, add part of a lemon rind or your favorite essential oil for a pleasant smell.
This mixture is great for cleaning your kitchen and bathroom counters, walls, tile floors and any other hard surface. The vinegar helps to dissolve stains and leftover food or other waste for a perfect clean every time. Put your homemade cleaner in a spray bottle, grab a cleaning rag, and you’re good to go!
Borax carpet freshener
The all-purpose cleaner works great for the majority of your house-cleaning needs, but one thing it doesn’t work well for is carpet. For a great carpet freshener, try mixing two cups of borax, one cup of baking soda, and 10 drops of your favorite fragrant oil.
Sprinkle the mixture across your carpets and let it sit for half an hour before vacuuming. Not only will this leave your carpets and the whole room smelling fresh, but it’s also a great antibacterial agent and can even help deter rodents and other pests.
Window cleaner
Clean and streak-free windows can make or break the look of your new apartment, so keep them looking great with an easy homemade window cleaner. Two cups of distilled water, half a cup of vinegar, and 10 drops of an essential oil should be your go-to formula here. This mixture can keep your windows extra clear and save you some money at the same time!
Mold killing spray
Another problem that can be tough to resolve with a gentle all-purpose cleaner is mold. Yes, mold can often be a frightening and gross thing to find in your home, but getting rid of it isn’t as difficult or expensive as you might think.
Mix one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts water into a spray bottle and spray it on any mold in your bathroom or kitchen. Let it sit for at least an hour. Then, be sure to wipe it up completely, as hydrogen peroxide can bleach your clothing or towels and could be poisonous if left on any surfaces in your kitchen.
Drain cleaner
One viral hack this year demonstrated a method for cleaning out your garbage disposal with nothing but ice cubes and hot water. Just pour a bowl of ice cubes down your drain and then run the garbage disposal. As the ice is crushed, it will help dislodge anything else that may be stuck down there.
Be sure to rinse the drain out with hot water afterward to flush out any leftover gunk. To leave your sink smelling much better, you can mix pieces of cut-up lemon, dish soap, or even some baking soda and vinegar in with the ice. Grab your spray bottles and mix up some homemade cleaners to tackle that weekly cleaning list with ease!
