How to Make Your Own Cleaners – 10 DIY Cleaning Recipes

Make the switch to all-natural cleaners with this round-up of my favorite DIY cleaning recipes. Learn how to make DIY cleaners with these 10 recipes – including foaming hand soap, bleach alternative, air freshener and more!

Forget about cleaning your home with store-bought cleaners. They’re filled with chemicals and toxic ingredients. Even the “all-natural” cleaners have preservatives and often cost twice as much as conventional store-bought cleaners. Read more about the toxic chemicals in household cleaners.

Instead make your own homemade cleaners for less than a dollar AND use natural ingredients you probably already have around your home. And the best part? You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry.

Ingredients For DIY Cleaners

• Baking soda is a natural deodorizer. It helps to neutralize odors and leaves a fresh, clean scent.
• Essential oils provides a refreshing scent, which is great for kitchens and bathrooms.and help to boost the degreasing and shine factor. Citrus oils like lemon and orange are very effective for cleaning.
• Liquid castile soap is a coconut-based soap that is non-toxic and non-irritating. It’s the natural cleaning agent in many of these DIY cleaning recipes that’s mild, yet super effective.
• Rubbing alcohol cleans streak-free and sanitizes surfaces.
• Vodka is a fantastic natural disinfectant and sanitizer. It’s also a natural deodorizer so you can spray fabrics and carpets too. You don’t need expensive vodka (save that for the cocktails). Get the cheap vodka to use for cleaning.
• White vinegar helps to break down dirt and grime – especially those fingerprints and smudges. It also helps to clean without streaks.
• Witch hazel is a great alternative for rubbing alcohol. It sanitizes surfaces, but doesn’t have a strong scent like rubbing alcohol.

How to Make Your Own Cleaners – 10 DIY Recipes

1. DIY Natural Household Cleaner – use this for everything from kitchen countertops to bathroom sinks.

2. Homemade Soft Scrub Cleaner – for tubs, tiles, sinks and grout.

3. DIY Natural Bleach Alternative – to clean surfaces and whiten laundry.

4. Homemade Foaming Hand Soap – to clean hands naturally without harsh chemicals.

5. DIY Laundry Detergent – make for pennies compared to store-bought detergent.

6. DIY Reusable Cleaning Wipes – to clean countertops and other surfaces.

7. Homemade Toilet Bomb Fizzies – to clean toilets without a lot of elbow grease.

8. Homemade Air Freshener – to help neutralize odors.

9. DIY Natural Disinfectant – this cleaner helps to disinfect germs and sanitize surfaces.

10. DIY Carpet Cleaner – to deodorize and freshen carpets naturally.

Useful Equipment for Cleaning

• Nylon Scrub Brush. A brush costs between $4 and $7 but can be disinfected (with vinegar or alcohol) and reused over and over.
• Microfiber Cleaning Cloths. Paper towels are a smaller financial investment up front, but the cost adds up quickly. Consider investing in one or two microfiber cleaning cloths, which can be washed and reused. You can expect to pay less than $2 per cloth.
• Spray Mop. An inexpensive spray mop can be found at a big box retailer or online for around $25. For an even less expensive alternative, skip the mop and use a bucket and cloth instead.
• Spray Bottles. Cheap spray bottles and containers can be bought at big box retailers or via Amazon.com for less than $2 per bottle. You can reuse these bottles indefinitely – just remember to keep refilling it with the same solution. You don’t want to accidentally mix a new solution with residue that was previously in the bottle and risk creating a toxic blend.
• Pumice Stone. Pumice stones are used to help break down and remove tough mineral deposits and stains. You may also recognize them from the nail salon if you get pedicures. While not a “must-have” item, a pumice stone can help with stubborn stains, particularly in your bathroom. Expect to pay between $2 and $3 for one stone.

You’re also going to need a bucket and towel, as well as some water.

Use a Checklist

Use a checklist for each room so that you can clean efficiently, or assign the jobs to children and know that they will be thorough. You can also log how long it takes you in each room and plan ahead  – time wise – for the next clean!

Top Tips for DIY Cleaners

• Citrus oils like lemon and orange are very effective for cleaning.
• You don’t need expensive vodka (save that for the cocktails). Get the cheap vodka to use for cleaning.
• Make sure you use white vinegar helps to clean without streaks.
• Make a checklist to help with your cleaning routine.

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