As many of you know, cleaning products are expensive and if you love to clean like I do, you tend to purchase them often! Having two boys of my own, I found that their beautiful little hands and fingers are dirty and tend to touch everything! I noticed that my boys were magnets to any window or mirror they came across.
Recently, I made a commitment to myself to start becoming a minimalist. For me, this was difficult, but necessary. I wanted clean, simple areas. Easy for pick up after child’s play, and general daily cleaning. I wanted to spend more time living (Kids, cooking, baking, projects, exercising… doing the things that I love), not picking up or working on a to-do list. With that being said, I found that large hung mirror are a fabulous, simple way to decorate but make a room feel open and clean. I love to look and them and appreciate the way light reflects and lights up a room. Then… my youngest son, like a magnet clings those handsome, loving hands to that mirror and literally finger paints them to the point that you can not even see your own reflection!
I found myself constantly cleaning mirrors to get that “perfect reflection” or “streak free” shine and using so much product! SQUIRREL!!
I decided that it was time to make my own window cleaner! I was unsure at first… I thought, how could a DIY window cleaner work well enough and leave my mirrors and windows streak free? Well, let me elaborate!
I mixed up my first batch of window cleaner and I was extremely impressed and satisfied. I started using it and replaced any other window cleaner that I used. It left a beautiful, streak free reflection and it removed those beautiful little finger prints in an instant! Not to mention, I added a few drops of essential oil and it smelled lovely. You may be thinking, “Essential oils in glass cleaner?” Let me reassure you, it was streak free, no foggy mess! However, the essential oils are always optional!
I recommend that you use glass spray bottles for your DIY cleaning products. Plastic will absorb the essential oils and other products that you may add to your DIY cleaners. Also, the glass spray bottles are easy to sanitize and reuse! I purchased mine from Amazon. They are 16oz bottles and reasonably priced at $19.99 for six bottles! The bonus is that they come with chalk labels! I love extras and freebies!
Let’s get started!
Ingredients:
- 1 C Water
- 1/4 C White Vinegar
- 1/8 C Rubbing Alcohol (At least 70% concentration)
- 1-2 Drops of essential oil (Lemon, orange or lavender)
First, you will want to mix the ingredients together. The order of product doesn’t matter, just add them all to a mixing bowl and stir it up well. I always recommend using a glass mixing bowl with a spout. This will allow you to mix your cleaning agent and easily transfer it to a glass stray bottle.
Next, take your 16oz glass spray bottle and if you are planning on adding a label, I recommend that you do so prior to adding the liquid mixture.
Now that the glass bottle is prepped, hold it over the sink with one hand and carefully pour the liquid mixture into the glass bottle with your other hand. (I recommend doing this over a sink for easy cleanup if there is a spill.) The mixture will almost fill the bottle. This allows you to leave enough space for the the sprayer pump to fit into the glass bottle! Add the sprayer and ensure that is on snug!
Give the bottle a good shake and you can get to cleaning windows and mirrors! This new cleaning agent will save you time and money!
Happy DIY-ing!
Cheers!
Secret Squirrel Moment 