Tired of filling your cleaning cabinet with expensive, single-use cleaners? You’re not alone. Not only can these products be pricey, but many are full of harsh chemicals that can irritate skin and release harmful fumes. The good news is, you can ditch the toxic cleaners and create your own safe, effective all-purpose cleaners using everyday household ingredients. These DIY cleaners are not only cost-effective, but also gentle on your family and the environment. In this blog post, we’ll explore several easy-to-make all-purpose cleaner recipes that tackle everyday messes, leaving your home sparkling clean and smelling fresh. So grab your spray bottles and get ready to clean green!
A word of caution
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for cleaning your entire home. While a solution like distilled white vinegar diluted with water works wonders on non-porous surfaces like glass and windows, it can actually damage unsealed granite and other types of stone due to its acidic properties. With that in mind, take the time to the properties of the ingredients that your will be using, how they work (different reactions that are likely to develop), and the type of materials you are cleaning before handling any DIY or commercial cleaning product.
Here are few more tips that the average DIY’er should take into consideration:
- It is best to use a new container to store the DIY cleaner. If recycling older containers for use, make sure ALL traces of previous substances or chemicals have been cleared and sanitized from container.
- Be sure to apply a label to the container that states the purpose and ingredients. Not only is this a reminder for you but it can also help any guests that come into your home as well.
- Do proper research on what to combine. Natural ingredients can still cause certain unwanted reactions when mixed with the wrong thing.
How To Create Homemade Pine-sol Cleaner
This DIY pine needle cleaner breaks down grime, wipes away clean, and leaves a fresh pine scent!
Ingredients
- Fresh Pine Needles
- White Vinegar
- Lemon Essential Oils
- Quart Mason Jar with Lid
- Coffee Filter or Cheesecloth Or mesh strainer
Instructions
- Add pine cuttings to your mason jar and pack in enough so that the jar is full, but you can still put on a lid.
- Fill the rest of the jar with white vinegar, covering the pine needles.
- Add 5 drops lemon essential oil and screw on the lid.
- Shake to mix, then place in the pantry to steep for at least 2 weeks.
- Strain to remove pine needles and pour into spray bottle, 2/3 full. Fill remainder of bottle with filtered water and shake.
*If vinegar smell is still overpowering at 2 weeks, steep for another 1-2 weeks.*
How To Create An Alcohol-Based DIY All-Purpose Cleaner
Isopropyl Alcohol is sold in two levels of concentration: 70 percent and 99 percent. 70 percent is best for a DIY all-purpose cleaner. The lower the percentage, the more water the solution has which will help the solvent dissolve more slowly to give it more time to break apart dirt and grease molecules. Use caution and do not use this cleaner on vinyl, rubber, certain plastics, or painted or lacquered wood surfaces.
- Mix the ingredients: Add the following to a glass spray bottle:
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol,
- 3/4 cup water,
- 5 to 10 drops of essential oil
- 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid soap.
- Use the alcohol-based cleaner safely: Shake the spray bottle well before each use. Spritz the cleaner lightly on the non-porous surface and wipe away grime with a microfiber cloth.
- Store the alcohol-based cleaner safely: Since isopropyl alcohol is flammable, store the container in a cool place away from any direct heat source.
How To Create An All-Purpose Cleaner With Castile Soap
Castile soap originated in the Mediterranean region where many cultures made soap from various vegetable oils. It gets its name from the Castile region of Spain, which was a soap-making hub for centuries. Castile soap contains only vegetable oils – no animal fats – making it vegan, nontoxic, and biodegradable. Dr Bronner’s, one of the most renowned brands of castille soaps, has discovered 18 ways in which you can use castile soap. You can use liquid or bar castile soap for this recipe. For bar form, grate it and dissolve it in water. Essential oils can add more germ-killing power to the cleaner depending on what version of castile soap you use. Here’s how to make a cleaner with unscented liquid castile soap.
- Mix the ingredients: In a spray bottle, combine 1 cup of distilled water, 1 tablespoon of unscented liquid castile soap, and 10 to 15 drops of essential oil.
- Use the castile soap cleaner: Spray any areas and surfaces that need to be cleaned and wipe with a damp cloth.
- Store the castile soap cleaner properly: Store the spray bottle out of direct sunlight or heat, which may change the chemicals in the essential oils.
- Other uses for castile soap:
- Dog Washing: Wet dog thoroughly. Massage in enough soap to create a good lather. (Amount varies based on size, hair type, and overall dirtiness.) Really massage it in down to the skin. Your dog will thank you for it. Rinse thoroughly.
- Mopping (Wood, Laminate, Vinyl, Stone & Tile Flooring): 2 ½ Tbsp (38 mL) of soap in 1 gallon (4 L) of hot water. Dunk mop (microfiber, preferably) and wring thoroughly.
- Laundry: 2–4 Tbsp. (30–60 mL) for HE (High Efficiency) washers. Add ½ c. (120 mL) vinegar to the rinse cycle. Optional: For whitening/deodorizing, add ¼ c. (60 mL) baking soda to wash cycle. Double these amounts for standard washers.