Over the past year I’ve derived great pleasure from learning how to make many everyday cleaning solutions myself. In the past, the overwhelming scents and fumes of commercially sold cleaners burned my lungs and eyes and irritated my skin if contact was made.
Honestly, I’m surprised it took me so long to find a safer and less expensive way to keep my house clean.
There are many reasons to make your own cleaners at home, but the following are a few of my reasons:
- To avoid harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients.
- To save money.
- To be gentler to the Earth.
- To become more self-sufficient.
Since many of you have expressed interest in trying some homemade cleaners for yourself, I decided to provide this guide, which includes the recipes of my favorite homemade cleaners.
All of the household cleaners I use can be made using a combination of the following inexpensive, and widely available ingredients and tools:
- White distilled vinegar
- Baking soda
- Liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Olive oil
- Microfiber cloth(s)
- Disinfecting essential oils such as lavender, lemon, tea tree oil, thyme, cinnamon, clove, rosemary or peppermint
- Plastic spray bottles
- Funnel
Although not explicitly stated in the ingredients lists that follow, most of the below recipes (with the exception of the drain cleaner and sink, tub and stovetop scrub) will include a plastic spray bottle and funnel.
All-Purpose Cleaner (From Healthy Child Healthy World)
- 2 TBSP vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
- 10 drops essential oil
Combine the vinegar and water in a clean spray bottle. Add the liquid castile soap and essential oil.
To Use: Spray the cleaner on surface to be cleaned and then wipe clean with a clean, dry cloth.
I use this cleaner in my bathrooms on laminate, chrome and porcelain surfaces. I avoid using it on my kitchen counters because I know vinegar can pit granite.
Wood Floor Cleaner
- 1 part vinegar
- 3 parts water
Combine the vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
To use: spray on and wipe clean. We use a microfiber mop.
The vinegar smell dissipates within 15 minutes or so. If you have pets or children, you can set them free to play without worrying about any toxic chemicals on the floor!
Wood Floor Polish
- 1 part vinegar
- 1 part olive oil
- *optional – 10 drops of essential oil (lemon essential oil works nicely)
Mix the vinegar and olive oil in a clean spray bottle. Add the essential oil if desired.
To use: Spray on the floor in small sections and then rub dry with a clean dry mop or cloth.
When we polish our bamboo floors, Kirk sprays the floor and then buffs as much as he can with a microfiber mop. Robbie and I then crawl around and buff the remaining polish with clean cloths. It sounds worse than it is. And the gloss lasts for weeks!
Sink, Tub and Glass Stovetop Scrub
- Baking soda
- Water
To Use: Sprinkle baking soda in the sink, tub or on the stovetop. Moisten with water to make a paste. Take a damp cloth and scrub until clean. Rinse clean.
As a former Soft-Scrub addict, I can attest to the effectiveness of using baking soda as a scrubbing agent. And I don’t worry about the kids taking a chemical bath after I’ve scrubbed the tub!
Drain Cleaner
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 cup vinegar
To Use: Pour baking soda down the sluggish drain and follow with vinegar. Wait 15 minutes and then flush with very hot water.
You may have to repeat the process more than once for very tough clogs.
Mold and Mildew Killer
- 1 part hydrogen peroxide
- 3 parts water
Combine peroxide and water in a clean spray bottle.
To use: spray on mold or mildew. Let sit for at least an hour. Reapply if necessary.
This really works. It’s not as fast-acting as bleach, but it gets the job done. And without the toxic fumes.
Window and Glass Cleaner
- 1 1/2 TBSP vinegar
- 16 OZ water
Combine vinegar and water in clean spray bottle.
To use: spray solution on windows or glass and then wipe clean with microfiber cloth or newspaper.
That’s All!
The above recipes are basically the only things I use to clean my home right now. To clean the kitchen table and granite countertops I use a warm water dampened microfiber cloth. For heavier cleaning, I add a drop or two of dish detergent to the dampened microfiber cloth.
I feel good knowing that I’m not poisoning my family. And cleaning doesn’t bother me as much now that I don’t feel the need to leave the bathroom to stop my lungs and eyes from burning.
Don’t get me wrong, I can still think of about 300 things I would rather do than clean, but making my own safe and non-toxic cleaners has helped. The amount of money we have saved by making our own cleaners is nice bonus too!
Additional Resources:
Have you tried making any of your own non-toxic household cleaners? How did it go? Do you have any favorite recipes you would like to share?
Thank you so much for reading ExConsumer. I haven’t told you lately, but your reading and participation makes this blog a fun and meaningful part of my life. I hope it adds value to your life too.
Did you like this post? If so, please consider leaving a comment, and signing up to receive updates by email or RSS feed from Ex-Consumer. It’s completely free and I never spam! You can also follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
Related posts:
Wonderful guidance on toxic-free cleaning! Thanks for these tipe.
You have a glass stove top, and I need something that will clean black enamel that lies beneath the burners and gets dripped on unless I’m very careful. It gets messy sometimes, and drips get dried on. What do you suggest for that?
Thanks again!
Hi ElyseRose!
While I’ve never tried it, I would imagine the baking soda paste would work on the black enamel beneath your burners as well. Maybe try a small section to see how it works?
Good luck!
Hi Jenny,
Was speaking to a friend about my “stove woes” and got this response from her.
i have the same concerns with our black enamel stovetop…you never think about the problems until you have to deal with everyday use!
i use straight vinegar and a s.o.s pad that i wash the soap almost all off of. it works pretty good. i also use borax alot mixed in with the dish detergent and vinegar as well. too much baking soda or borax will leave a white residue if not washed off completely though.
so you are not alone…i would say give the s.o.s a try…i remove the soap because that too will leave residue. good luck!
Great! Thanks for taking the time to come back and share your friend’s experience here ElyseRose!
Great post! would you have any suggestions for a homemade dish soaps that are easy on the hands? I’m hoping to find something that I can use as a hand soap and a dish soap but I can’t find any DIY recipies, only store-bought products. Thanks! Love your blog!
Hi Joanna!
Right now we just use the 365 brand dishwashing detergent from Whole Foods. I know there is a way to make your own dishwashing detergent, but I haven’t experimented with any recipes yet.
White vinegar and lemon juice is high up on my list…oh and bicarb of course!
I’ve started using pure olive oil daily as a face-wash based on your advice the other day about oils. I’ve even experimented using it in my hair today instead of wax (well isn’t oil what the teddyboys used?) – it’s working out fine at the mo (I have dry skin and hair).
Looking for suggestions for a body wash now – any ideas hun?
Hey Jo!
I’ve been using homemade cold process soap and it’s made a huge difference. My skin hasn’t gotten as dry this winter as it has in the past and I think the CP soap is the reason!
Thanks for sharing Jenny! I’m sick of having a headache every time I clean up around the house! Definitely time to go au natural.
It makes such a huge difference Josh! I used to dread the cleaning headache. I can’t say I look forward to cleaning now, but I don’t get a headache and the process is much more pleasant.
Thanks for the informative article, it was a good read and I hope its ok that I share this with some facebook friends. Thanks.
My pleasure Maggie.
I’ve been constantly battling against my very dirty household. These home-made ingredients would surely make me save a lot. Which do you think should be good to clean mirrors and glasses?
Thanks for the ingredients! Will experiment on them myself!
- Harrold
Hi Harrold – For glass or windows I use a solution of one part vinegar to two/three parts water. Then I just wipe the surface clean with a microfiber cloth or newspaper.
I once talked to a professional window washer that told me he also adds a single drop of dishwashing detergent to his vinegar/water window washing solution for extra dirty windows. I’ve never had to add anything additional, but if your windows or mirrors aren’t coming clean with vinegar and water it’s something to consider.
Good luck!
I think I’m ready to jump on this bandwagon and start trying some homemade cleaners. This is the second time it has come to my attention today~ must be time!
Thanks for all the info and recipes.
I know what you mean Jill! I kept being presented with information on homemade non-toxic cleaners before finally taking the plunge. It started with making my own laundry detergent. After that, I was excited to try other cleaning alternatives.
I hope you’re as happy with the process as I have been!
I was getting ready to make the all purpose cleaning solution but am not sure of the measurement for castile soap…. 1/4 cup? Thanks!
Yes Jill – 1/4 cup of the castile soap. Oops!
The recipe is now updated.
Good luck and let me know how you like the cleaner!
Thanks! I tried the glass cleaner last night and really like it ~ I could breathe without choking! I also cleaned my stove top with baking soda instead of comet and it took a little more rubbing power, but it worked. Don’t know why it’s taken me so long to make this switch.
I’m also trying baking soda and water instead of shampoo…we’ll see how that goes.
I’m glad you had success with the glass cleaner and baking soda scrub. The other thing I use if my glass stove top has something really cooked in is a razor blade. The cooked mess just scrapes right up!
Let me know how the baking soda and water shampoo goes. I haven’t been brave enough to try that yet. I have been using coconut oil as a conditioner though. I just rub a dab into my dry hair and then shampoo it out. It leaves my hair super silky and not oily at all.
A great efficient and naturally friendly way to clean my house! Thank you for sharing this post. I have already made a list on what to buy next in the grocery store. Is there a special type of vinegar that I need to use or just any vinegar will do?
Thanks!Clark
Hi Clark! I use white distilled vinegar.
I’m not sure what the results would be using other kinds of vinegar, but it seems as though any type of vinegar would work.
Pingback: DIY Oil Cleansing Method (Face) | Ex-Consumer
Pingback: Spend More on the Things You Love | Ex-Consumer
Pingback: 34 Ways You Spend Less Each Month | Ex-Consumer