Once associated with fringe back-to-the-earthers, making your own cleaning solutions is no longer a closet activity.
Eons ago, when I first moved to the West Coast from Tokyo, I was utterly perplexed by how big everything seemed: the sky, the vistas, cars, people, portions, and packaging. So much so, that in the case of the latter, I took to decanting cleaning liquids and detergents into smaller, design-worthy bottles (these were pre-Method days). It took a couple of years of doing this before I realized that I could actually make this stuff myself. Since then I have been mixing my own concoction of vinegar and water, banishing smelly cleaning scents from the house (and saving money to boot). My cleaning cocktail of choice? One-half cup of distilled white vinegar to 1 cup of water, although you can make it stronger if you like. It works on almost all surfaces and is good for hardwood floors. For further ideas on this theme, check out Vinegar Tips.
Above: My setup: Flour-sack towels and a vinegar concoction in a Savon de Marseille bottle.
Above: Make your own cleaning solution: All's that required is white distilled vinegar, available at any supermarket.
Above: I dispense my cleaning solution into a repurposed Savon de Marseille bottle and added an old spray top (you can also source a Tolco Spray Trigger for $3.49 from Grainger).