Homemade Cleaners: 15 Easy DIY Cleaning Recipes That Really Work

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Before there was a cleaning aisle, there was a pantry. Vinegar, baking soda, salt, lemons and a bar of good soap kept homes sparkling for generations, and they still work beautifully today. Homemade cleaners cost pennies, cut down on harsh fumes, and you always know exactly what’s in the bottle. Here are 15 easy recipes for the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and living room.

The 5 ingredients you need

• Distilled white vinegar cuts grease, soap scum and hard water spots. Not for stone, waxed wood or cast iron.
• Baking soda a gentle scrub and odor absorber.
• Liquid castile soap a plant-based soap that cleans without harsh detergents. Don’t mix it with vinegar; they cancel each other out.
• Lemons fresh scent and a little extra cutting power.
• Essential oils optional, for scent. Lemon, tea tree, lavender and peppermint are favorites. Keep them away from cats, and skip them around babies.

Kitchen cleaners

1. All-purpose vinegar spray

Mix 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water in a spray bottle. Add 10 drops of lemon or peppermint essential oil to soften the vinegar smell. Great for counters (not stone), sinks, stovetops and fridge shelves.

2. Stone-safe all-purpose spray

For granite or marble: 2 cups warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid castile soap and 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol. Spray, wipe and buff dry.

3. Grease-cutting degreaser

Sprinkle baking soda on the greasy spot, spray with the vinegar spray, let it fizz for a minute, then wipe. For greasy pans, a sprinkle of salt soaks up oil before washing (skip on nonstick).

4. Oven cleaner paste

Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with a few tablespoons of water into a spreadable paste. Coat the cool oven (avoid the heating elements) and leave overnight. Wipe off, then spritz any white residue with vinegar and wipe again.

5. Microwave steam clean

Microwave a bowl of 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or vinegar) on high for 3 to 5 minutes, until steamy. Let it sit 5 minutes with the door closed, then wipe the softened splatters away.

6. Drain freshener

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, follow with 1 cup vinegar, wait 15 minutes, then flush with a kettle of hot water. Use it monthly to keep drains fresh. It won’t clear a true clog.

Bathroom cleaners

7. Soft scrub

Stir 1/2 cup baking soda with enough liquid castile soap to make a frosting-like paste. Add 5 drops of tea tree oil if you like. Scrub tubs, sinks and tile, then rinse well.

8. Toilet bowl fizz

Pour 1 cup vinegar into the bowl, then sprinkle in 1/2 cup baking soda. Let it foam for 10 minutes, scrub and flush. For hard water rings, let the vinegar sit overnight first.

9. Streak-free glass and mirror cleaner

Mix 1 cup water, 1 cup white vinegar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Shake before each use and wipe with a microfiber cloth or newspaper for no streaks.

10. Shower spray

Keep a bottle of equal parts warm vinegar and water in the shower. A quick spritz after the last shower of the day keeps soap scum from building up.

Laundry helpers

11. Stain pre-treat

Mix 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap with 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide. Dab on the stain, wait 10 minutes and wash. Test on colors first, since peroxide can lighten fabric.

12. Natural fabric softener

Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle (or the softener cup). Clothes come out soft, and the vinegar smell rinses away. Never use it in the same load as bleach.

13. Wool dryer balls

Skip dryer sheets. Toss 3 or 4 wool dryer balls into the dryer; add a drop of essential oil to each for scent. They last for years.

Living room and floors

14. Dusting and wood polish spray

Mix 1 cup water, 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Shake, spray lightly on a cloth (not the wood) and buff. Skip on waxed or unsealed wood.

15. Carpet freshener

Mix 1 cup baking soda with 5 to 10 drops of lavender oil. Sprinkle, let it sit 30 minutes, then vacuum. See my lavender carpet freshener for more scent ideas.

Tips for homemade cleaners

• Use glass spray bottles if you add essential oils, since oils can break down some plastics.
• Make small batches. Mixtures without preservatives are best used within a month.
• Microfiber cloths do half the work and wash up again and again.
• Label everything with the recipe and date.

FAQ

Does vinegar disinfect?

Vinegar cleans well, but it isn’t a registered disinfectant. For raw meat spills or when someone is sick, use an EPA-registered disinfectant or a diluted bleach solution, and never mix bleach with vinegar.

Can I use apple cider vinegar?

Distilled white vinegar is best because it’s clear and won’t stain. Cleaning vinegar (6%) is a little stronger.

Are homemade cleaners safe for kids?

They’re gentler than many store cleaners, but still keep every bottle labeled and out of reach.

You might also like:

• DIY Foaming Hand Soap
• Homemade Laundry Detergent
• How to Manage Household Chores