Homemade Soft Scrub Cleanser and more...

Ever feel like your sink never actually looks clean… no matter how many times you scrub it?

I’ve been there.

I still remember standing in my kitchen one day, staring at my sink that just wouldn’t look clean, no matter what I used. I was so tired of spending money on products that didn’t work the way I wanted them to.

That’s when I started experimenting with a few simple ingredients, I already had at home… and this homemade soft scrub quickly became one of my go to cleaners.

It’s easy to make, works really well on tough grime, and best of all it saves money.

If you’re looking for a simple, effective, and more natural way to clean, you’re going to love this homemade soft scrub cleanser.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Soft Scrub

If you’re anything like me, you want something that actually works… without spending a ton of money or filling your home with harsh chemicals.

This homemade soft scrub cleaner checks all the boxes:

• It’s super affordable (you probably already have everything on hand)
• It works on tough grime, grease, and buildup
• It’s quick and easy to make in just a few minutes
• You can customize the scent with essential oils
• A little goes a long way

And honestly? There’s just something satisfying about cleaning your home with something you made yourself.

Made with simple, natural ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, this gentle yet powerful cleaner will leave your surfaces sparkling clean and refreshed.

Say goodbye to harsh chemicals and hello to a greener, more sustainable cleaning routine.

Get ready to whip up a batch of our homemade soft scrub and see the difference it can make in your home!

I love being able to make all of my own cleaning products because it costs much less and I like to be able to control the chemical ingredients that I am exposing my home to.

When I first started using essential oils to replace toxic chemicals in my home, I found that they work perfectly for making your own products.

Plus they offer my family some added health benefits that I love, rather than cause health issues like so many of the toxic ingredients in the cleaners I used to buy at the store are known to do.

Homemade Soft Scrub Cleaner Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup castile
• 1 tablespoons Witch Hazel
• 10-20 drops tea tree essential oil
• 10-20 drops of lime essential oil
• 10-20 drops of orange essential oil
• 10-20 drops of lemon essential oil
• Mason jar or another glass airtight container.

Saving Dollars and Sense Tip: If you choose to use other brands of essential oils that aren’t as potent as the ones that I personally use, then you’ll want to increase the number of drops to 20-30 drops each.

Homemade Soft Scrub Recipe

Years ago I learned that no matter how messy my home would get (and it got pretty messy with little ones), as long as my sink was clean and shiny I felt like I was doing just fine.

I learned that this recipe does a fantastic job of making any sink sparkle and shine, no matter how dingy it might start off.

Step 1: Start by adding the baking soda to a small glass bowl.

Step 2: Add the castile soap and the witch hazel to the bowl.

Step 3: Add the essential oils of your choice.

Expert Tip: I suggest using a higher quality like these ones because the better the quality the more potent they will be and the less you will have to use.

Step 4: Mix ingredients together until a creamy paste.

I chose the essential oils listed in the ingredients above because they are great for cleaning.

This particular brand is also super concentrated which means you don’t have to use as much to make your products as you might have to use with other brands.

Why This Homemade Soft Scrub Actually Works (And Works Well!)

This simple recipe works so well because each ingredient has a job to do:

• Baking soda gently scrubs away grime without scratching most surfaces and absorbs odors.
• Castile soap cuts through grease and lifts dirt.
• Witch hazel helps bind everything together and adds mild cleaning power.
• Essential oils (like tea tree or lemon) can add antibacterial properties and a fresh scent.

When you combine them, you get a powerful cleaner that’s gentle enough for everyday use but strong enough to tackle tough messes.

What Can You Clean With This?

This soft scrub is one of those “use it everywhere” kind of cleaners. I reach for it all the time!

You can use it on:

• Bathroom sinks and tubs
• Shower walls and tile
• Kitchen sinks
• Stovetops
• Pots and pans with stuck-on food
• Countertops (non-porous surfaces)
• Faucets and fixtures

It’s especially great for those spots that need a little extra scrubbing power without being too harsh.

Tip: For tougher stains or buildup, apply the scrub and let it sit for 5–10 minutes before scrubbing. This helps break down grime and makes cleaning easier.

What NOT to Use It On

Because this cleaner contains baking soda (which is slightly abrasive), there are a few surfaces you’ll want to avoid:

• Granite or marble countertops
• Natural stone surfaces
• Wood
• Anything with a delicate or glossy finish

When in doubt, always test a small hidden area first.

Tips & Variations

This is where you can really make it your own!

• Add lemon essential oil for a fresh, clean scent.
• Use lavender for a calming, spa-like feel.
• Add a little extra baking soda for more scrubbing power.
• If your scrub starts to thicken or dry out over time, simply add a little water and stir until it’s smooth and easy to use again.

You can even make a couple different batches with different scents for different areas of your home.

Homemade vs. Store Bought Soft Scrub

One of my favorite things about this recipe? The savings.

Store-bought soft scrub cleaners can cost anywhere from $4–$6 per bottle.

This homemade version:

• Costs just pennies per batch
• Uses simple, natural ingredients
• Skips the harsh chemicals

Plus, you can feel good knowing exactly what you’re using in your home—especially if you have kids or pets around.

How to Store Your Soft Scrub

Store your homemade soft scrub in an airtight container or a reusable squeeze bottle.

A few quick tips:

• Stir before each use if it separates
• Keep it in a cool, dry place
• Use within a few weeks for best results

If it thickens over time, just add a small splash of water and mix.

If your scrub dries out over time, don’t toss it—just add a little water and stir to bring it back to life.

FAQs

How to Save Money on Essential Oils

They also boost your mood and make a wonderful air freshener. This way your house is clean and smells great and you are happy, even though you just cleaned the house!

Store in a glass airtight container, a mason jar works perfectly for this!

That’s it. This homemade cleanser is super easy to make and works really well on pretty much every surface.

More Homemade Cleaning Recipes

If you liked this homemade cleaning recipe, you’ll love these ones too:

• DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaner – This DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaner is so easy to make and have on hand whenever your sink needs a refresh.
• DIY Homemade Dishwasher Detergent – It’s so easy to make yourself and does a great job too, without all of the junky chemical ingredients of store-bought brands.
• Homemade All Natural Non-Toxic Bleach – make your own bleach alternative with this simple recipe.

    

You can get a FREE 8×10 Photo Print from Walgreens.

This is a great time to get one of those family pics printed. Pic up an inexpensive frame from the Dollar Store and you have a very thoughtful gift!

Use the coupon code RAINYPRINT to get one FREE 8×10 photo print.

Choose to pick up your free photo print in your nearest Walgreens store to also get free shipping.

Free Walgreens Photo Coupon

Walgreens App Instructions:

• Download App
• Select “Photo” Dept.
• Select “Prints”
• Choose to upload from a device, then “Next”
• Scroll to the bottom and select 8×10 for $3.99
• Upper right of Order Details select “Use Code”
• Enter code RAINYPRINT
• Total will be $0.00 + free store pickup

Get yours here today!

If for some reason this doesn’t work for you, try using a desktop computer instead of the mobile app to get it to work.

    

Spring is the perfect time for sweet, fresh desserts. With longer days and warmer weather, bright flavors like lemon, berries, and light, creamy treats take center stage.

I’ve rounded up some easy spring dessert ideas that are perfect for everything from family dinners to potlucks and holidays.

You’ll find a mix of no bake desserts, fruity favorites, and simple classics that won’t break the budget.

Let’s find your next favorite spring dessert!

Rhubarb Custard Pie

This classic rhubarb custard pie is the perfect mix of sweet and tart, with a creamy filling that melts in your mouth. It’s a must make dessert when fresh rhubarb is in season.

Orange Creamsicle Cake

If you love that nostalgic creamsicle flavor, this orange creamsicle cake is light, fluffy, and full of bright citrus goodness, perfect for spring and summer gatherings.

Vanilla Wafers

Skip the store bought version and make your own homemade vanilla wafers! They’re simple, budget friendly, and perfect for layering into your favorite spring desserts.

Condensed Milk Cookies

These condensed milk cookies are soft, slightly sweet, and incredibly easy to make with just a few pantry staples and are perfect for a quick spring treat.

Cherry Cheesecake Danish

Flaky, buttery, and filled with sweet cherries, this cherry cheesecake danish feels bakery worthy but is surprisingly easy to make at home.

Banana Coffee Cake

This cozy banana coffee cake is soft, moist, and topped with a delicious crumb topping, and it’s perfect for brunch, dessert, or an afternoon snack.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

A spring classic! These carrot cake cupcakes are perfectly spiced, super moist, and topped with rich cream cheese frosting.

Banana Pudding Jar

These adorable banana pudding jars are layered with creamy pudding, bananas, and vanilla wafers for a simple, no fuss dessert everyone loves.

Banana Pineapple Dessert

This banana pineapple dessert is light, fruity, and refreshing. It’s an easy no fail recipe that’s perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.

Lemon Blueberry Cream Cheese Danish

Bright and fresh, this lemon blueberry cream cheese danish combines tangy lemon, sweet blueberries, and creamy filling in every bite.

Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake

This beautiful raspberry swirl cheesecake is rich, creamy, and swirled with vibrant raspberry flavor that’s perfect for special spring occasions.

Eclair Icebox Cake

No baking required! This eclair icebox cake is layered with graham crackers, creamy filling, and chocolate topping for an easy crowd pleaser.

Raspberry Cheesecake Swirl Bread

This soft and flavorful raspberry cheesecake swirl bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert with its sweet and tangy layers.

Strawberry Icebox Cake

Light, creamy, and full of fresh strawberries, this strawberry icebox cake is one of the easiest no bake desserts for warm spring days.

Mini Peanut Butter Cheesecakes

These mini peanut butter cheesecakes are rich, creamy, and perfectly portioned, making them great for parties or when you want just a little treat.

Old Fashioned Egg Custard

This old fashioned egg custard is simple, creamy, and comforting. It’s a timeless dessert that’s light enough for spring.

No Churn Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Skip the ice cream maker! This no churn cherry cheesecake ice cream is creamy, fruity, and incredibly easy to whip up at home.

Whether you’re craving something light and fruity or rich and comforting, I hope this list gave you plenty of spring dessert inspiration to try in your own kitchen.

The best part? Most of these recipes are simple, budget friendly, and made with ingredients you probably already have on hand, which makes them perfect for everyday treats or last minute get togethers.

Spring is such a sweet season to slow down a little, gather around the table, and enjoy something homemade with the people you love.

So go ahead and pick one (or two) to try this week, I’d love to hear which one becomes your new favorite!

    

If your child just brought home a good report card, don’t miss this, you could turn those grades into free food, treats, and a fun family day without spending a dime.

Yep, there are actually restaurants and businesses that reward kids with FREE food and treats for good report cards and some of these deals have been around for years.

I remember when my kids were little and how proud they felt when they got their report cards. It wasn’t even about the grade as much as it was about being seen and celebrated. And let me tell you… turning that moment into a free donut or pizza night? That just made it even sweeter.

The best part? You don’t have to spend a dime to make it special.

In this guide, I’m sharing the best places that offer report card freebies, plus a few simple ways to turn good grades into a full day of fun (without blowing your budget).

These are some of the best places that give free food for good grades in 2026…

Places That Give Free Food for Good Grades (Quick Answer)

Here are a few popular places that often reward good report cards:

• Krispy Kreme – Free donut for each A
• Chick-fil-A – Free nuggets or kids meal (varies by location)
• Pizza Hut – Free pizza through BOOK IT! program
• Chuck E. Cheese – Free tokens or points
• Baskin Robbins – Free scoop for good grades

Scroll down for the complete list of Good Report Card Rewards below.

Tip: Always call ahead, since participation can vary by location.

How to Turn Good Grades Into a FULL Day of Free Fun

Instead of just grabbing one freebie, you can actually turn this into a fun (and memorable) celebration day for your kids.

Want to make this even more fun? Try this…

Start with a treat

Head to Krispy Kreme or your local donut shop for a sweet reward.

Grab lunch

Check if your local Chick-fil-A or another restaurant is offering a free kids meal or reward.

Add a fun stop

Visit Chuck E. Cheese for free tokens or swing by an ice cream shop for a scoop.

End with something meaningful

Stop by the library or let your child pick out a free book or movie.

It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it will become something they’ll remember.

Want to make this super easy? Grab my free Report Card Reward Planner and map out your whole freebie day in minutes.

Good Report Card Freebies 2026

When my kids were in school, I looked for any chance to celebrate their hard work, especially when report card time rolled around.

They’re grown now, but I still remember how proud they felt getting good grades (and let’s be honest, how proud I felt too).

If something like these report card freebies had been around back then, we absolutely would have made a day of it.

Who else remembers the days of getting these paper report cards from school?

National Report Card Freebies

The following chains are known to offer report card rewards, but availability may vary by location.

Krispy Kreme

• A free Original Glazed doughnut for each A (up to 6).
• Available for elementary through high school students.
• Just bring in a recent report card.

Find a location

Chuck E. Cheese

• Download their Rewards Calendar, and your child can earn 10 free Play Points or tokens.
• One reward per child per visit.

Get the calendar here

Pizza Hut

• Some locations offer a free personal pan pizza for good grades or being on the Honor Roll.

Check your local Pizza Hut

Dairy Queen

• Select DQ locations give a free small Blizzard or cone to students with all A’s or Honor Roll.
• Offers vary, so call your nearest store to ask.

Baskin-Robbins

• Some stores offer a free scoop of ice cream for report cards with A’s.

Other Places to Check:

Banks & Credit Unions

• Local banks sometimes give kids a few dollars for every A on their report card—especially around the end of the school year.

Libraries

• Your public library may offer summer reading or academic achievement rewards. It’s worth checking their website or giving them a call.

Complete List of Rewards for Good Grades and All A’s Report Card

There are a bunch of great rewards that kids can earn for getting a straight A report card.

Chuck E. Cheese

Chuck E. Cheese believes in the value of a good education. Choose from the Super Student Award or Graduation Certificate and receive FREE tokens for being a good student.

• Download their Rewards Calendar, and your child can earn 10 free Play Points or tokens.
• One reward per child per visit.
• Get the calendar here.

IHOP

Get a free kids meal with a good report card grades. Available at select locations.

Insomnia Cookies 

Insomnia Cookies has a special offer for high school, college and graduate school grads. You can get one free six-pack of Classic cookies with any $5 in-store purchase after showing proof of graduation.

Jason’s Deli

Reward students for good grades, good efforts or good deeds through the Kid Cash program.

Children ages 1-12 can be Kid Cash recipients. Kid Cash is valid only at participating Jason’s Deli restaurants and good for dine-in meals only.

Krispy Kreme

• A free Original Glazed doughnut for each A (up to 6).
• Available for elementary through high school students.
• Just bring in a recent report card.
• Find a location

Pizza Hut

Each marking period, any child who has 3 A’s or the equivalent thereof, will receive one free Personal Pan Pizza and a small soft drink or carton of milk by presenting his or her report card to the manager.

• Some locations offer a free personal pan pizza for good grades or being on the Honor Roll.
• This offer is good for Elementary and Middle School students. Dine-in only.
• Student must be present and the original report card must be presented. Available at participating locations.
• Check your local Pizza Hut

The Melting Pot

Earn free “Fun-Due” at The Melting Pot with A’s on your report card.

Present your child’s report card to your server and receive a Three-Course Petite Feast, including cheese, a pick-three entrée, and chocolate fondue.

Be sure to check with your local restaurant for participation.

Wendy’s

A report card with A’s and B’s earns a treat. Show the cashier your report card before ordering.

Tip: Although I did contact each company to verify their participation again this year, I always suggest calling ahead to be sure that your area business is participating.

The last thing you want is a disappointed child with an straight A report card right?

Want to Make It Extra Special?

Looking back, I know how meaningful it is to pause and celebrate small victories. Even if you don’t have a participating store nearby, you can make a reward moment at home:

• Print a special “You Did It!” certificate and present it at dinner.
• Let your child choose a special treat, movie night, or even a later bedtime.
• Snap a photo with their report card and share how proud you are—it really does stick with them.

Click here to download a free printable Report Card Certificate (PDF)

Grab Your Free Report Card Reward Tracker

If you want to make this even easier, I put together a simple Free Report Card Reward Planner (Plan Your Freebie Day in Minutes) printable you can use to:

• Track which places you want to visit.
• Plan your “freebie day”.
• Make it a fun tradition year after year.

Click here for a Report Card Freebie Tracker to take with you (PDF)

A little planning goes a long way in turning this into a fun memory instead of a frustrating one.

A Simple Way to Celebrate (Even If You Stay Home)

If you don’t have any participating locations nearby, or you just want to keep things simple, you can still make this moment special.

Here are a few easy ideas:

• Let them pick dinner for the night.
• Have a movie night with popcorn at home.
• Write them a note telling them how proud you are.
• Create a small “celebration tradition” your family repeats each year.

At the end of the day, it’s not really about the free food. It’s about letting your kids know: “I see you. I’m proud of you.”

Years from now, your kids probably won’t remember the grade itself… but they will remember how you celebrated it.

Know a Business I Missed?

If your town has a local spot offering a reward for good grades, I’d love to include it here. Let me know in the comments or send me a quick message.

I’m always happy to keep this list growing for other parents.

And to all the students wrapping up another year…Well done!

*Saving Dollars and Sense Tip: Remember to contact your area location before heading out to verify that they are indeed participating in this years rewards programs. Unfortunately some of the programs do vary by location and I would just hate for your kid to be disappointed, so check to be sure first.

If you know of any more offers that should be added to the list feel free to email me krsawicki(at)yahoo(dot)com, or leave a comment and I’ll add it to the list for everyone to see!

FAQs

Since we are talking about motivating kids…

I thought it would be a great time to also talk about motivating them to excel at another part of their lives as well.

The FREE Chore Challenge Tracker is a great way to make doing chores fun!!

Don’t Stop Here (More Free Fun for Kids)

• Kids Bowl Free Program
• Kids Skate Free Program
• Free Summer Reading Programs
• FREE Lego Life Magazine Subscription
• Kids FREE Gardening Kit

    

If you’ve been thinking about joining Sam’s Club, now’s the perfect time to do it—because there’s a limited time membership deal happening that’s too good not to share!

Get a Sam’s Club Membership for Only $15!

Sam’s Club has a limited time offer that makes it possible. You get an annual membership for $15!

Prefer Costco? No worries, I have a great deal on Costco memberships too!

Right now, new members can score a Sam’s Club membership for just $15 (regularly $50). That’s a savings of 60%—but this offer won’t last long!

What’s Included:

• Full access to all Sam’s Club locations
• Instant Savings on top of already low prices
• Access to Sam’s Club gas stations
• Use of the Tire & Battery Center
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• Option to add more members for $40/year each

This deal is only available for a few more days, so grab yours today!

Click here to grab your $15 membership before it’s gone!

Additional Notes:

• This offer is valid for new members only, or for those whose membership has been inactive for six months or more.
• Auto-renewal is included but can be canceled at any time through your Sam’s Club account.
• Be sure to activate your membership before the listed expiration date on the offer page.