More and more people are becoming interested in using natural, non-toxic cleaning products in their homes. Manufactured cleaners often contain harsh chemicals, emit unhealthy fumes, and aren’t environmentally friendly. Luckily, it’s easy to make your own natural cleaning products using simple, widely available ingredients.
Why Make Your Own Cleaning Products
There are several main motivations for crafting do-it-yourself (DIY) natural cleaning products rather than using conventional, commercially manufactured products. First, DIY cleaners are often better for health because they avoid using harsh chemicals like ammonia, bleach, and formaldehyde, which can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs. Instead, natural cleaners are made with ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils that are non-toxic. They also prevent exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) frequently found in traditional cleaners.
Natural cleaners are more environmentally friendly. The chemical ingredients in many conventional cleaners are not biodegradable and can pollute waterways. However, products made from natural ingredients like lemon juice and soap break down safely without causing environmental damage. DIY cleaners also tend to require less packaging compared to commercial cleaners.
Homemade cleaners are extremely cost-effective. The ingredients, like vinegar, lemon juice, soap, and water, are very inexpensive compared to buying pre-made cleaners. Going the DIY route saves money, and the recipes can be customized to suit different budgets.
Another advantage of natural DIY cleaners is the ability to tailor them to suit personal preferences. For example, you can create a custom cleaner scent by choosing your favorite essential oils. The ingredient ratios can also be adjusted to meet unique cleaning needs. Overall, concocting your own cleaning potions can be a fun hobby and creative way to care for your home.
Equipment/Ingredients Needed
Making natural cleaners is simple because you likely already have most of what you need at home:
Basic Equipment
- Spray bottles for mixing formulas and storing cleaners
- Funnels for transferring liquid ingredients
- Measuring cups/spoons for following recipes
- Jars with lids for making cleaning wipes
- Labeling tape/pen for naming your creations!
Common Ingredients
- White vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Baking soda
- Vegetable or castile liquid soap
- Water
- Essential oils (for scent)
- Household items like hydrogen peroxide, vodka, cornstarch
That’s it! With some simple equipment and ingredients you likely have on hand, you’re ready to make eco-friendly cleaners.
All-Purpose Cleaner Recipes
All-purpose cleaners can be used to clean most hard surfaces in your home like countertops, floors, appliances. Here are some recipes to try:
Simple Vinegar Spray
- 1 part water
- 1 part white vinegar
- Combine in spray bottle, shake gently to mix.
- Spritz on surface, wipe clean with damp cloth.
- Cheap, effective for killing most bacteria and removing grease.
Orange Mint Cleaner
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 15 drops orange essential oil
- 10 drops peppermint oil
- Mix ingredients together in spray bottle.
- Shake before each use.
- Enjoy fresh citrus mint scent while cleaning!
Lavender Soy Cleaner
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup liquid soap
- 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 20-30 drops lavender oil
- Whisk soap and peroxide to combine.
- Add remaining ingredients and shake spray bottle.
- Cleans well with the peroxide and soothing scent.
Green Glass and Window Cleaners
Skipping the ammonia and bleach found in conventional glass cleaners, these DIY formulas rely mainly on vinegar or vodka to produce streak-free shine:
Vinegar Glass Cleaner
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- Dash of liquid soap
- Mix ingredients in spray bottle.
- Spray over glass surface, wipe with newspaper or microfiber cloth.
- The vinegar cuts through grease, soap helps remove residues.
Vodka Power Cleaner
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup vodka
- couple drops essential oil (optional)
- Combine in spray bottle.
- Shake before/while spraying windows.
- Vodka solvent pulls dirt off smoothly.
Disinfecting Cleaner Recipes
Natural disinfectants help kill germs using ingredients like tea tree oil, thyme oil, or rubbing alcohol:
Herbal Disinfectant Spray
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon vodka
- 15 drops thyme oil
- 5 drops tea tree oil
- 5 drops lavender oil
- Combine in spray bottle, shake vigorously before each use.
- Effective for disinfecting surfaces, doorknobs, toilet seats, etc.
Peppermint Countertop Spray
- 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
- 10 drops peppermint oil
- Enough water to fill 8 oz spray bottle
- Mix ingredients together.
- Spritz over counters, don’t rinse.
- Kills bacteria and leaves counters minty fresh!
Scrubbing Cleanser Recipes
For tough stains or caked-on grime, scrubbing cleansers provide extra muscle. The abrasives lift and loosen debris so cleaner ingredients can go to work. Here are some hand and oven scrub options:
Lemon Salt Hand Scrub
- 1 cup sea salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Mix salt and olive oil in small bowl.
- Stir in lemon zest.
- Scoop into jar, rub over hands to remove difficult stains.
Baking Soda Oven Cleaner
- 1 cup baking soda
- Dash of liquid soap
- Enough water to form paste
- Mix ingredients into spreadable paste.
- Apply paste to oven surfaces.
- Let sit for 30 minutes before wiping clean.
That covers some of the basics – now the possibilities are endless for crafting your own natural, non-toxic cleaners! Start simple, then experiment by tweaking recipes to create custom cleaning solutions. With a few homemade concoctions ready to go, you can transform your cleaning routine for the betterment of your health and home.
