Household cleaners can get expensive, especially if you buy the all natural kind. I hate waiting around for sales or coupons to snag a good deal on cleaners so I like to use DIY household cleaners to save money when I can. They are just as effective and can be a lot better for your family’s health.
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I wanted to put all of the DIY household cleaner recipes that I use into one easy to find place. This is the ultimate list of DIY household cleaners for your convenience.
I tried to list ones that were all natural as well but some of them do use borax (which I know some people don’t like using) and regular dish soap.
They all cost pennies to make and you can easily keep these on hand to save you $100’s every year.
Here are some common items that you may need to have on hand to make these cleaners:
All-Purpose Cleaner
This can be used in the kitchen and bathroom. Just mix together equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. If your counter top is made from marble, granite, or stone, skip the vinegar and use rubbing alcohol instead.
Dish Soap
Combine 1 cup of liquid castile soap and 3 tablespoons water in a bottle of your choice. You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils if you would like. Shake well before use.
Dishwasher Tablets
Mix 2 cups washing soda, 2 cups of Borax, 1/2 cup of Epsom salt, 1/2 cup of vinegar, and 15-20 drops of lemon essential oil. Place the mixture into two ice cube trays and press down until each ice cube compartment is packed with detergent. Put them in a dry, sunny spot and let them sit for at least 24 hours. Store in an airtight container.
Oven Cleaner
In a small bowl, mix ½ cup of baking soda and stir in 2 – 3 tablespoons of water, until you get a spreadable paste.
Spread this all over the walls of your ovens, scrubbing it in.
Let that mixture rest overnight.
In the morning, you will put 1/2 cup of vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz everywhere you see baking soda, which will create a foaming action. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Pot & Pan Cleaner
To make old, rusty pans sparkle like new, mix together 2 parts baking soda with 1 part peroxide (it will make a paste) and rub the area with a dish rag until clean.
Cutting Board Cleaner
The easiest way to disinfect your cutting board is to cut a lemon in half, sprinkle salt on the cutting board, and then rub the lemon all over the board. Rinse clean.
Disinfecting Wipes
Take some old rags or you can even cut up an old shirt. Mix 1 cup of water, 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol, 2 Tbsp. of Dawn dish soap, 2 Tbsp. of ammonia. Stir and pour over the cotton cloths. You can store the cloths in an old baby wipe container or something similar.
Carpet Shampoo
Mix 3 quarts of hot water, 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide, 4 Tbs. vinegar, and 3 Tbs. clear dish soap. You can add essential oils if you prefer.
Pour mixture into your carpet cleaning machine and follow the directions on the unit to clean your carpet.
Wood Floor Cleaner
In a small bucket, mix 1 gallon of warm water, 1 cup of vinegar, and 1/2 cup of castile soap. Clean with a mop or rag as you prefer.
Mopping Solution
In a bucket, mix 2 cups warm water, 2 cups vinegar, 2 cups rubbing alcohol, 6 drops Dawn dish soap, and essential oils (optional).
Bathroom Cleaner
Heat up 1 and 1/2 cups of vinegar and pour into a spray bottle. Add 1 and 1/4 cup of Dawn dish soap to the bottle and shake well. Can use this on the tub, shower, and sink.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Pour ½ cup of baking soda and about 10 drops of tea tree essential oil into the toilet. Add ¼ cup of vinegar to the bowl and scrub away while the mixture fizzes.
Grout Cleaner
Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into a spray bottle, then mix in 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Add 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Shake to combine. Spray on the grout and let the mixture sit for about five minutes. Wipe the mixture off with a sponge or paper towel. Rinse with water to remove any residue.
Laundry Detergent
Cut 3 bars of 5 oz. soap into chunks. Add the soap and 6 cups of washing soda to a food processor. Blend until you have a find powder. Pour into a clean, resealable container. Add 2-3 Tbs. of detergent for each load of laundry. You can add a few drops of essential oil to the load if you would like.
Stain Remover
Mix 2/3 cup of Dawn dish soap, 2/3 cups of ammonia, 6 Tbsp. of baking soda, and 2 cups of warm water into a spray bottle. Shake well and apply to stain. Treat stain as you normally would and then wash clothing in the laundry.
Fabric Refresher
This is very similar to Febreze. Add 1 and 1/2 cups of filtered water, 1/2 cup vodka (helps water evaporate quickly), and 10 drops of your favorite essential oil into a spray bottle. Shake well.
Furniture Polish
Pour 2 Tbsp. of olive oil, 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1/4 tsp. of fresh lemon juice (or lemon oil) into a bottle and shake well. Spray polish on a microfiber cloth and rub onto furniture. Remove any excess oil with a clean cloth.
Window Cleaner
Combine 1 part white vinegar with 4 parts water (feel free to add some lemon juice for a fresh scent), then use a sponge or rag to scrub your windows or mirrors.
I hope this DIY household cleaner list has been helpful and that you can easily refer to it to make all of your cleaning needs.
If you prefer to just purchase some all-natural cleaning products, or just looking for a great deal on organic and natural products, I highly recommend Thrive Market.
They offer organic, all-natural products at wholesale prices. You will find brands like Seventh Generation, Avalon Organics, Derma E, Kiss My Face, and more. You can shop food, beauty, household, and baby products.
They are offering a free 30 day trial so you can test them out to see if they will save you some money.
Other topics you might like:
- Natural Beauty Products from your Kitchen
- Easiest Way to Clean Microfiber Furniture
- Miracle Carpet Cleaner
Maisy says
Yes! I just started last year to use natural cleaners around my house, and I’m loving it!! Thanks for the list!
*Maisy
Liz W. says
This is such a great, comprehensive list of diy cleaners! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday!