homemade all-purpose cleaner

9 Homemade All-Purpose Cleaning Recipes You Need to Try

All-purpose cleaners are household necessities, and natural products are even better. You need them to wipe countertops, clean refrigerators and remove grease from stoves, crumbs from tabletops, and even spills on the floors.

But wouldn’t it be great if you could make your own all-purpose cleaning solution for any household surface? This way, you can have safe, effective, and natural cleaners!

Come along and let’s take a short journey through options for DIY cleaners.

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Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner Ingredients

There are different recipes for homemade cleaners, but it’s important to have a basic understanding of common ingredients and what they do.

That way, you know what to use, why, and what to avoid.

And, you can change them up to suit your preferences.

Ok, let’s get started with a few of the basics….


Baking Soda

Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is an amazing addition to homemade cleaners.

After all, it’s inexpensive, natural, safe, and has mild abrasive properties, which enable it to scour surfaces without scratching.

Moreover, you can use baking soda to deodorize household surfaces, neutralize odors, and remove grease and animal messes.


Castile Soap

Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable fat-based soap with surfactants that can attract oils, dirt, grease, and germs, suspending them in water to be washed off.

You can find liquid castile soap or bar soap in grocery stores, scented and unscented.


White Vinegar

Because it’s 5% acetic acid, white vinegar effectively removes bacteria and toxins, breaks down basic soils and hard water stains, and neutralizes odors.

However, avoid applying vinegar on marble, granite, grout, cast iron, and aluminum.

Instead, use it for laminate and stainless steel appliances.


Essential Oils

Simply put, essential oils are concentrated oils extracted from plants.

Popular oils often found in cleaning recipes include peppermint, lemon, lavender, orange, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and tea tree oil.

You can add essential oils to a homemade all-purpose cleaner recipe to give it a pleasant fragrance.

Essential oils also have disinfecting properties, but they aren’t usually strong enough for the disinfection of kitchen countertops, food preparation surfaces, and bathrooms.

However, it’s important to be cautious when using essential oils because some can trigger allergies, and be unsafe for kids, individuals with breathing problems, pregnant women, and pets.


Rubbing Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol, which you might know as rubbing alcohol, is an antiseptic, disinfectant, and shine enhancer.

Not only can it kill germs, but it can also speed up the drying time in a floor cleaner spray.

Nevertheless, please keep in mind that it can be damaging to wood floors and surfaces.


Water

Yes, water is the universal solvent, so it can remove residue and dirt from solid household surfaces, and it does it better than any other liquid.

You can use clean tap water if you want a homemade cleaner for a few weeks (1-2) and distilled water for long-term usage.


Hydrogen Peroxide

Water with an additional oxygen molecule is an environmentally friendly alternative to chlorine bleach.

This weak acid breaks down into water and oxygen and is suitable for homemade all-purpose cleaning and disinfecting.

But be careful when using it on fabrics! It is also not usually recommended to be used on natural stone surfaces, wood finishes, or metal surfaces, as it can cause bleaching and corroding!


The Most Popular Homemade Cleaners

We’ll cover more than one homemade natural all-purpose cleaner recipe, so consider which will work best for the area and material you’re cleaning.

When using natural cleaners, don’t forget to be cautious if you have small children, pets, or sensitive people in your home, and always check to see what manufacturers recommend before using these products on furniture and materials.


1. Vinegar All-Purpose Cleaner

You can use vinegar to make a solid homemade all-purpose cleaner.

Its acidic pH level is effective in removing hard water stains, toothpaste, and basic grim.

So, its cleaning power enables it to handle the refrigerator’s inside, laminate flooring, linoleum flooring, carpet mishaps, and stainless steel.

However, the acetic acid makes it unsuitable for natural stone, wood, and tile grout because it can etch away their surfaces.

The natural cleaning solution does have a vinegar scent that is gone fairly quickly, but if you dislike that vinegar smell, this might not be the cleaner recipe for you.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup distilled water
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 15 drops of essential oils (lavender, peppermint, lemon, or orange)
  • 1/2 lemon squeezed (optional)

Instructions

  • It’s easy to create this homemade cleaner by mixing all the ingredients in a 16-ounce spray bottle.
  • Then, shake the bottle gently, and store it in the fridge between uses. Before applying the vinegar cleaner, gently shake the bottle.
  • Next, spray the solution, and use a damp cloth to wipe it off.
homemade all-purpose cleaner

2. Castile Soap All-Purpose Cleaner

The simple soap and water combo often makes for effective and non-toxic homemade cleaners.

If you’re looking for a DIY all-purpose cleaner with no vinegar, this castile soap solution is natural, rarely irritates asthma or triggers allergies, and pauses no risk of indoor air pollution.

Not to mention, you can clean sealed marble and granite countertops and floors with it (unless the manufacturer or your contractor tells you otherwise, of course).

Ingredients

  • 2 cups distilled water
  • 2 tb to 1/4 cup castile soap
  • 15 drops of essential oil (lavender, peppermint, or orange oil)

Instructions

  • Pour the distilled water into a 16-ounce spray bottle.
  • Then, mix the essential oil and castile soap, and gently shake the natural cleaner.
  • You can store it at room temperature.
  • When you want to use it, you should shake the bottle and spray it.
  • Finally, wipe it using a damp cloth to avoid leaving soap residue or a white film on shiny surfaces.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide All-Purpose Cleaner

This household surface cleaner is one of the easiest, cheapest, and quickest recipes for homemade cleaning.

We’re using hydrogen peroxide as a sterilizer, which means it can kill mold, bacteria, mildew, and fungus.

The component is 3% Hydrogen Peroxide and 97% water.

Accordingly, it’s technically one of the acidic cleaners that you shouldn’t use on wood, but because the percentage is low, you may be able clean wood with it infrequently. (Always try on a small spot first!)

Also, you may be able to use it on granite and marble, but it isn’t typically recommended for daily cleaning.

As for the chemical smell, essential oils neutralize it somewhat, giving the homemade all-purpose cleaner a floral scent.

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces hydrogen peroxide (3%)
  • Essential oils (1/2 tsp lavender, 1/2 tsp lemon, and 1/2 tsp peppermint)

Instructions

  • Add the ingredients together in a spray bottle, and shake it.
  • Use an opaque bottle, or add a nozzle to the Hydrogen Peroxide’s original bottle because it’s sensitive to light.
  • Then, you can spray it on the surface you want to clean and give it several minutes before wiping it for optimal results.

4. Baking Soda All-Purpose Cleaner

Baking soda is a cleaning powerhouse! It’s cheap, effective, and easy to find, making it a perfect addition to a homemade all-purpose cleaner.

Also, it breaks down acidic solid, scours surfaces, and removes bad smells. It can also make stainless steel sinks and appliances shiny.

Even better, this homemade cleaning method will give you the cleanliness you want without harsh chemicals.

*But note that baking soda may create a filmy grit, so rinse all the surfaces thoroughly. And if you want to use it on upholstery, test the cleaner on a hidden spot to see if it’ll leave a mark.

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp baking soda
  • 1 quarter of warm water

Instructions

You can mix these ingredients to make a deodorizer or add baking soda directly to the garbage disposal can or drain to remove the unpleasant smells.

Another option is making a paste of the homemade all-purpose cleaner recipe to eliminate any spots on stainless steel and make it shiny.

Then, use a cloth to apply it to the metal, and rub gently in its direction. Finally, rinse the cleaner, and dry it.


5. Vinegar and Baking Soda All-Purpose Cleaner

I love the effective combination of acid (vinegar) and base (baking soda).

Add in a small amount of essential oils that act as a disinfectant and your whole house will smell fresh and clean.

With this homemade all-purpose natural cleaner, you can clear the mess off any bathroom surfaces, food preparation surfaces, or else and remove light spills on carpets.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp baking soda
  • 10 drops of essential oil (lemon, tea tree, or lavender)
  • Water

Instructions

In a spray bottle, mix the vinegar and essential oils with water.

Then, you need to add the baking soda, fill up the bottle to the top, and mix the ingredients.

Afterward, you can spray the surface in question and wipe it with a cloth.


6. Homemade Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Spray

In this DIY recipe, vodka gives your homemade cleaners impressive disinfecting qualities, and essential oils are used to neutralize the alcohol smell.

Still, it’d be best if you were careful with the alcohol, as it can cause painted or varnished surfaces to wear away.

So, be sure to spot test the all-purpose cleaner before applying it on multiple surfaces.

Also, don’t use this surface cleaner on granite, marble, and other special stone surfaces because of the vinegar.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 100 proof cup rubbing alcohol (100 proof alcohol is 50% ABV)
  • 1/2 cup white or cider vinegar
  • 50 to 60 drops of tea tree or lavender oil (optional)

Tip: You can alter the ratios and use a few drops of essential oil to get an effective homemade glass cleaner.

Instructions

Mix the rubbing alcohol and essential oil into a 16-ounce spray bottle, and shake it.

Next, add the vinegar before shaking the bottle again.

Then, apply it to the surfaces as mentioned above.


7. Lemon All-Purpose Cleaner

When you put together three powerful green homemade cleaning ingredients, lemon juice, lime juice, and vinegar, you get one of the best solutions for natural cleaning.

This all-natural surface cleaner is excellent for removing fabric grim, including the dirt from hard water deposits and toilet rings.

As we’ve mentioned before, an acid-based cleaning recipe is not something you should use on tile grout, natural stone, or wood.

Ingredients

  • Lemon juice of 1 fruit
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar

Instructions

In a spray bottle, pour the lemon juice, lime juice, water, and vinegar, and shake the bottle.

Then, apply the homemade all-purpose cleaner to the surface that requires cleaning.

Wait a few minutes before cleaning the spot via a scrub brush or an old soft-bristled toothbrush.

Last but not least, rinse the surface with water or buff it dry if it’s a mirror or window.

*You can also add citrus peels or slices to vinegar and let it sit for a few days to a week to have fruit-infused vinegar for a great smell and powerful cleaning!


8. Dish Soap Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

This dish soap-based all-purpose cleaner is a super simple, yet very effective method of removing grime.

This recipe is also great for natural cleaning because you probably already have the basic ingredients on hand!

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces of water
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp liquid dish soap
  • 3 to 5 drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions

Mix the ingredients, and swirl them together in a spray bottle.

You can spray the homemade all-purpose cleaner on a surface and use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe it off.

9. Borax All-Purpose Cleaner

The borax homemade all-purpose cleaner has a basic pH level, meaning that it can eradicate the acidic grim of household surfaces, such as sweat and urine.

As a result, it makes a good bathroom or kitchen cleaner and floor pre-treater.

Nonetheless, it’d be best if you rinsed off the surface cleaner because borax and washing soda may leave behind a white residue.

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp borax
  • 1 tsp castile soap (liquid)
  • 1/2 tsp washing soda or sodium carbonate
  • 2 cups warm water (preferably distilled but can be boiled)
  • Essential oil (4 drops lavender, 4 drops lemon, and 10 drops orange)

Instructions

Pour the borax, liquid soap, and washing soda into a bottle, preferably a spray one.

Then, add essential oils, and you can customize the type and amount of oil to your preferences. Now, you can shake the bottle and use it.

*This cleaning recipe is not my absolute favorite for natural cleaning, but I included it because it is an option. There is some disagreement about whether borax is a safe ingredient to use in cleaning recipes so be sure to do your research and choose whatever makes you most comfortable.


Last Thoughts About Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner Recipes

Creating an effective, homemade all-purpose cleaner is so simple.

Just a few common ingredients and you can make your own natural cleaning spray while saving yourself time and money!

Also, these all-natural cleaners are non-toxic and effective.

With these 9 homemade all-purpose cleaners, you can have a clean house, naturally!


Do you have a favorite DIY all-purpose cleaner? I’d love it if you shared the recipe! Feel free to leave a comment below or email it to me.


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Looking for more cleaning recipes or ways to create a fresh and clean home? Check out the Healthy Home section to find everything you need!

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