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.
What Essential Oils to Use?
You can use a combination of essential oils to provide the natural scent in this recipe, including:
- Citronella
- Eucaplutus (or Raven blend)
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Lime
- Peppermint
- Purification blend
- Tea Tree
- Thieves blend
Find out how to buy essential oils at wholesale, and get a starter kit for 60% off retail prices. It’s the best deal around and a great way to get started with essential oils.
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.
How to Get Started with Essential Oils
- Sign up for my FREE essential oil email course in order to learn the basics.
- Check out my FREE masterclass all about essential oils and this beginner’s guide to essential oils.
- Get my essential oils online course – complete with video tutorials, e-book and everything you need to get started with essential oils.
- Find out how to buy essential oils at wholesale, and get a starter kit for 60% off retail prices. It’s the best deal around and a great way to get started with essential oils. Plus lots of freebies just for you.
More Cleaning Recipes You Might Like
- Speed Clean Your Kitchen in 30 Minutes
- 15 Ways to Save Time in the Kitchen
- 20 Ways to Clean Your Home with Thieves Household Cleaner
- DIY Shoe Powder : The Natural Remedy for Stinky Shoes
7-Day Decluttering Challenge
Looking for more ways to declutter your home? Join my FREE 7-Day Decluttering Challenge! You’ll get a free printable workbook you can use to declutter for good.
I’ll go more in-depth on how to declutter every room in your home, including bedrooms, living and family rooms, closets, and bathrooms.
I’ll also show you how to deal with the emotions that often come up when you’re decluttering and simple strategies you can use to overcome them.
Here’s an all-natural laundry stain remover recipe: http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/03/diy-laundry-spot-remover.html
Here’s a laundry detergent that has a built-in stain remover formula: http://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/homemade-laundry-detergent-recipe
You could omit the rice and increase the millet or potato flour.
This is so handy to have all of these cleaners in one spot so you do not have to look each one up. Thanks for the information!