I kind of feel guilty for writing this post, for sharing that I’m not currently making my own cleaning supplies after I’ve shared in the past why I do. I used to be a big proponent of making your own cleaning supplies (in truth, I still am) but lately I’ve just needed to simplify my life as much as possible.
2015 has been a year of changes, challenges, adaptations and, frankly, just plain survival mode. Giving birth to my 3rd baby at the start of the year has really thrown off our schedule (in a good way) and it seems like we just haven’t been able to get our heads above water.
When one milestone is reached, another child is going through a stage that zaps our energy and leads to exhaustion. When I feel like I’ve finally got a handle on one thing, another challenge or routine change comes up leaving me feeling like I’m running on a never ending hamster wheel.
I know as long as my children are living under my roof, life will always be hectic and crazy but despite the exhaustion, feelings over overwhelm and frazzle, I wouldn’t wish these days away for anything.
Our life is crazy, hectic and fast paced (and OK some days I do feel like I’m going to lose my ever-loving mind) BUT our life is so full too. The days are filled with more joy than I can handle (despite the sleeplessness, temper tantrums and never ending laundry piles).
All of this has lead me to really think through some routines and practices I had in place and was running myself ragged trying to keep up with.
Some seasons you just have to wave the white flag of surrender and realize what worked in the past, and what very well may work again in the future, just don’t work right now. Rather than beating ourselves up about it or feeling guilty that we aren’t doing the things we should be, giving ourselves grace to simplify and let go really is the best thing.
One of the things that I had to let go was making my own cleaning supplies. It was something I just couldn’t keep up with.
I was tired of the clutter
I was tired of opening the pantry that houses all of the cleaning supplies to see lots of little bottles, odds and ends, and other miscellaneous items I would use to make my cleaning supplies.
Some may argue that making your own cleaning supplies really only takes a few natural ingredients, and while I fully agree — here’s what I normally used — those few ingredients mixed in with the containers to house the mixtures in, along with rags, sponges and other cleaning tools can quickly get out of hand.
To be honest I was getting completely discouraged about cleaning before I even began cleaning! All of the little bottles and cartons I normally used to make those few cleaning mixes was really taking up a lot of space making it hard to figure out what I had and what I needed.
Yes organization is a big factor here and while I tired my hardest to stay on top of the clutter in the cleaning cabinet, it just became too much for me to deal with. My personality tends to shut down when I have too many choices and visual clutter.
Time was a factor
To actually use your own cleaning supplies you have to make them. Again I’m sure some would argue that it really only takes a few minutes to whip together a few different ingredients to make some but when I’m trying to quickly clean the bathroom with two curious preschoolers underfoot and wearing a baby, stopping to make something just isn’t convenient.
I wanted to calm the chaos.
Rather than being completely overwhelmed by the choices, the clutter and the supplies I was supposed to make, I decided to just calm the chaos. I just wanted a few simple, well made, safe and natural as possible, cleaning supplies that would get the job done and wouldn’t add to the visual clutter anymore.
So I made the decision to let go of the guilt and self-imposed expectation that in order to be a good home keeper I needed to make my own cleaning supplies. I realize how foolish that sounds even as I’m typing this.
To be clear there may very well be a day in the near future where I will go back to making my own supplies, or there may not be, but the point is sometimes we just have to give ourselves grace and let go of some things that sounds really good but just don’t fit into our current season for whatever reason.
For me that was to quit making my own cleaning supplies. For you it might be something entirely different.
So what am I using instead?
A few high quality, multi-purpose cleaning supplies from companies that I trust to provide safe and natural products that will clean my house efficiently.
Now when I open my cabinet instead of being met with an overflowing cluttery mess of different bottles, containers and jars hiding all of what’s inside, I only have 6 bottles and two high quality rags. I still vouch for my cleaning tools but these are the only products I currently use to clean my whole house with:
- a multi-purpose tile cleaner for the bathrooms and the little bit of tile floor we have.
- toilet bowl cleaner
- an anti-bacterial cleaner for cleaning up the messes to get rid of harmful bacteria and other surface borne germs that need to go especially during flu and cold season
- a wood floor cleaner because more than 90% of our home floors are natural wood
- a glass cleaner to clean the fingerprints and smudges off the appliances, glass doors and mirrors
- a scouring powder to scrub away the tough soap scum and other gunk
With these 6 items I can clean every surface of my house house quickly and effectively.
Where am I getting these products from frugally?
Most natural brands of cleaners are easily more expensive than their competitors on the cleaning shelves at the store. In fact some can be marked up pretty high making it seem impossible to use them and stay in a budget.
Earlier this year I kept hearing from so many about about ePantry and their low prices on natural cleaners. It sounded almost too good to be true so I decided to check them out for myself. Needless to say I’ve been super impressed with not only the quality and variety or products available (everything from cleaning supplies, hygiene products, candles and paper products) but also their prices.
And here’s the biggest turn on for me… you can order online and they deliver to your home!
This simple thing actually saves me even more money because let’s be honest for a second here, how many times do you add one or two items on your list and head to Target (or other store of choice) and quickly those few items turns into a cartful of stuff you didn’t know you needed?
Yes, I’m very guilty of my lack of control in Target so I pretty much have to avoid going in at all costs. I know I’m not alone on this one either! 
Sometimes the savings from one item at Target, or another store, doesn’t add up to any other impulse purchases. But when I order online at ePanty, I can quickly get what I need and move on. My shopping list gets crossed off and my budget stays in tack.
Want to fill your cleaning cabinet with some seasonal staples?
Can you believe we are already in November? The holidays are quickly coming upon us which means time might be an even bigger factor. Right now ePanty is offering an incredible deal to my readers.
Sign up for ePantry this week and receive a free Mrs. Meyer’s seasonal scented hand soap, dish soap and multi-surface cleaner, plus free shipping! This special holiday offer is only available while supplies last and you can choose between three festive holiday scents including Cranberry, Orange & Clove or Iowa Pine — you can also get festive and mix all three!
This offer is valid for new ePantry customers only. Existing customers can add a FREE Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap to your next order through this link.
Here’s How ePantry works (it’s super simple and only takes a few moments to sign up!):
1. Sign up for ePanty through THIS LINK. ePantry is offering the lovely Mrs. Meyer’s 3 piece set free to readers who sign up through my referral link: sign up HERE for Cranberry, HERE for Orange Clove, or HERE for Iowa Pine. (You can mix and match once your get to your basket.) Click on the “get started” button (new customers only).
2. Answer a few quick questions about your family and how clean your home is. (Be honest!) This only takes 30 seconds and customizes your first basket. You can always change and swap out items to your preferences.
3. Once you’ve answered the questions, you can finalize the basket of products ePantry and I have tailored to your needs or you can create your own basket of awesome products by adding or removing items. (Hot tip: part of my morning ritual is to light a candle every morning. My favorite is the Vanilla Bean + Sandalwood candle from the Grove Collaborative. Add one to your cart too, it’s delightful and festive without giving off harmful toxins)
4. To receive this offer your order needs to total $20. Choose the combination of products and scents you want to receive in your first box.
5. You made it! Click finish & pay, place your order. You won’t know how to live without ePanty in your life, seriously!
6. Already hooked on ePantry? Existing customers click here to get a free seasonal hand soap in your next order.
(If you have any questions at all, use ePantry’s live chat feature. Their customer service team is wonderful. And they have made the shopping experience super easy and wonderful).
This offer is good through Sunday November 19th, 9pm EST or as long as stock lasts.
**Affiliate links have been used in this post meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase I receive a small commission. You can read my disclosure policy here. Thanks for supporting CHK!
The post Why I Stopped Making My Own Cleaning Supplies (& What I’m Doing Instead) appeared first on Creative Home Keeper.