sanitizing spray = big fat waste of money?

I was spraying my son’s highchair down with Clorox sanitizing spray the other day and I realized that I was flushing money down the toilet in an naive effort to protect my son by paying for something that I could have made for WAY less. After reading the bottle, I found out that it contains 0.0095% sodium hypochlorite and 99.9905% “other ingredients”. I’ve come to realize that the “other ingredients” are little more than vinegar and water. Crap.

In my research, I discovered that EPA.gov has the clear instructions for their version of such a spray is listed: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/bleachfactsheet.htm

From my understanding of this, I need to add 2 cups of water to 1 cup of bleach. Then add 1 cup of vinegar and then add 6 more cups of water, mix, spray, let sit and done. Sounds kinda like the directions on the sanitizing spray, huh?

Window cleaner recipe

Mix 1 cup white vinegar, 1 1/2 cups rubbing alcohol, and 2 drops of dish soap in a spray bottle.

Spray like windex and wipe with a lint free rag (or newspapers – they are great for a streak free shine)

Homemade drain cleaner

This is great for both preventative maintenance as well as clearing a slight clog:

Pour 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain and follow it with 1/2 cup of white vinegar.  Allow to fizzle itself out.  Pour 2 cups boiling water to follow.