Inexpensive Cleaner – Secret Formula

With concern about plastics in our environment and keeping ahead of viral infection, it's important to have a no-fail cleaner.

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I have been using this inexpensive secret formula cleaner for years. With concern about plastics in our environment and avoiding viral infection, it’s important to have a no-fail cleaner.

Secrets in this Post

While visiting The Americana at Brand’s Lost and Found, trying to get Spane’s scooter that he may have left there. I was really surprised that the baseboards, door jams, and kick plates were so dirty. I told the security guard it was disgusting and told him about the Secret Formula.

What IS the Secret Formula?

A while back, I had a plastic spray bottle on the counter, and when my friend asked me what it was, I said “It’s my secret formula.” It became a joke among my friends because they were always surprised at how well it worked, and when they found out what it was, they were amazed at how cost-effective it was as well.

The Secret Formula is inexpensive, about $0.25 per bottle, compared with paying $3-$4 for another spray. It kills germs on contact, and it leaves a fresh, just-cleaned scent. I’ve been using it for years, and it’s never failed me.

Improved Secret Formula

I am very aware of the crisis our planet is facing because of Climate Change and the use of fossil fuels. I try to use as little plastic as possible. I got tired of buying bleach in a plastic container. I found *bleach tablets on Amazon and they are great. Using a leftover gallon milk carton, I just plop a tablet in the container, fill it up with tap water, and I have a gallon of bleach that I can use all over the house, in my laundry, for the toilet, etc. With all that, it’s even less expensive than liquid bleach. Let’s do a cost comparison:

Liquid

64 oz / 1.89 Liter

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• Comes in a plastic bottle
• Heavy to lug up and down to the laundry
• Spill it and ruin your clothes

$2.89 / gallon

Tablet

40 tablets per container

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• Comes in a small plastic bottle
• One tablet weighs 0.14 ounces without water
• Just drop it in water to work

$0.19 / gallon

So, I guess you can see who is the winner here, right? Go for the *tablets. Stop lugging bleach up and down to do laundry.

How to Make the Inexpensive Cleaner

I told the guard what the Secret Formula is, so I guess I should share it with you, too.

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Inexpensive Secret Formula Cleaner

With concern about plastics in our environment and keeping ahead of viral infection, it's important to have a no-fail cleaner.

Tips from the Chief Cook and Bottle Washer

Because this mixture contains bleach, you do have to be careful of your clothing so try not to spray it on yourself or lean into surfaces you have sprayed.

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Prep Time:5 minutes minutes

Total Time:5 minutes minutes

Yield64 ounces

CreatorAdrienne Boswell

Estimated Cost0.19

Equipment

*Spray Bottle (16 oz)

*Bleach Tablets

Supplies

• 5 oz Bleach
• 11 oz Water tap water preferred

US Customary – Metric

Working ModePrevent your screen from going dark

If you purchase ingredients through affiliate links noted *, I get a small commission for The Good Plate’s pantry. These and other links are there for your convenience.

Ingredients necessary for the recipe step are in italic. Ingredient measurements may vary due to measurement tools used.

Instructions

• Carefully pour the bleach into a spray bottle.
  5 oz Bleach
• Add water to fill it the bottle.
  11 oz Water
• Have fun cleaning!

Got Questions? Let me know!Mention @WPRecipeMaker or tag #wprecipemaker!

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Every recipe on The Good Plate is tested in a real kitchen using tools I actually cook with—cast iron, air fryer, sous vide, Instant Pot, and more. I’ve trained with a Hilton executive chef and earned my California Food Handler’s License to ensure safe practices in every recipe. I have won charity cooking contests, catered events, and written cookbooks on turkey and (soon!) burgers. I only recommend tools I’ve tested myself.

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