The Ultimate Guide to Making Your Own Cleaning Supplies: From All-Purpose to Glass Cleaner and More

By The Cleaning Lady

Introduction

Making your own cleaning supplies can save you a lot of money and it is safer for you and your family than using cleaners with harsh chemicals. It’s also a lot easier than you think and, contrary to popular belief, not very time consuming. There are only a few ingredients you need and you may already have them in your pantry, such as baking soda and white vinigar.

Why make your own cleaning supplies?

The two biggest reasons people make their own cleaning supplies from scratch is to save money and to remove chemicals from their home

1. Making your own cleaning supplies can save you money

With inflation raging the average cost of cleaning supplies is up 10% year over year. The average price of a spray bottle of Clorox All-Purpose Cleaner is almost $5 for 32 oz. You can make the same amount of all-purpose cleaning solution with white vinigar for .60 cents. That’s quite a savings! Here are some more ways to save money on cleaning supplies.

2. You can avoid toxic chemicals with homemade cleaning supplies

Many people aren’t aware how toxic household cleaners can be. Some of the dangerous chemicals found in cleaners include:

1. Chlorine bleach: Bleach is highly toxic and can irritate your eyes and skin and do irreversible damage to your respiratory system. Also, if mixed with other chemicals it can release harmful chlorine gas which can cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs and ultimately cause death. It has also been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
2. Ammonia: This is the main chemical ingredient in glass cleaners and can be harmful if inhaled or ingested. If mixed with bleach it will create a highly toxic gas that can quickly overwhelm the lungs and cause death.
3. Unlisted Fragrances: Manufacturers are not required to list the type of fragrances used in the product ingredients. Many will just list as “Fragrances” or “Parfum.” Unfortunately, these simple words can hide 100s of toxic chemicals in the one bottle of cleaner alone such as known carcinogens, neurotoxins and skin allergens.

What are the essential ingredients for homemade cleaning supplies

There are several basic ingredients you need to make homemade, all natural cleaning solutions. Luckily they are all very inexpensive and many people already have several of them in their cupboards and pantries.

1. Baking Soda: Great for scrubbing, stain removal and deodorizer. When mixed with water can form a paste.
2. White Vinigar: A natural disinfectant effective in killing bacteria and viruses.
3. Lemon Juice: Also a disinfectant as well as a bleaching agent used to remove stains and is a very effective deodorizer.
4. Essential Oils: These can add a pleasant scent and have helpful properties in their own right. Oils like Lemon, Eucalyptus and Lavender have pleasant scents and antibacterial properties.

Homemade cleaning supply recipes

Follow the following recipes to make these 4 basic cleaning solutions you will need for your home. Each recipe includes inexpensive, non-toxic ingredients as well as a link to a kit I have created for you on Amazon with all the links to the products in one place!

All Purpose Cleaner

You will need:

• 1 and 1/2 cups (354 mL) white vinigar
• 2 cups (473.2 mL) water
• Your choice 5 drops of essential oils like lemon lavender or eucalyptus (optional)
• 1/2 cup (118 mL) lemon juice
• Empty 32 oz (946.35 mL) spray bottle
• See Amazon Kit here

Directions: Take top off spray bottle and fill with the vinigar, water and lemon juice (also essential oils if using). Replace top and shake well. Be sure to label your bottle with “All Purpose Spray.” Double or triple up to make in bulk.

NOTE: This spray will clean most surfaces in your house except a few. Because it is acidic, avoid using it on wood furniture, natural stone tile, grout and electronics.

Glass and Window Cleaner

You will need:

• 1/4 cup (59.15 mL) white vinigar
• 2 cups (473.2 mL) water
• 1 tbsp (14.3 g) cornstarch
• Empty 32 oz (946.35 mL) spray bottle
• Microfiber cloth
• See Amazon Kit here

Directions: Mix all the ingredients together in the spray bottle and shake well. Be sure to label your bottle with “Glass Cleaner.” Double or triple up to make in bulk. Spray on glass or mirror. Wipe with microfiber cloth.

NOTE: Cornstarch is a mild abrasive and will break up grime on glass and leave a streak-free shine. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe for best results.

Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner

You will need:

• 2 cups (473.2 mL) white vinigar
• 1/2 cup (118 mL) lemon juice
• 1 cup (85 g) baking soda
• toilet brush
• See Amazon Kit here

Directions: Pour the white vinigar and lemon juice in the toilet. THEN pour in the baking soda (do not mix ahead of time). This will create a fizzing in your toilet bowl. Scrub with toilet brush then let sit for 20 to 30 minute. Flush.

NOTE: Use can use your all purpose cleaner to clean the rest of the toilet (base, lid, etc.)

All Purpose Natural Floor Cleaner

You will need:

• 32 oz (946.35 mL) spray bottle
• OR mop with spray feature
• 2 tsp (9.9 mL) Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds
• 32 oz (946.35 mL) water
• See Amazon Kit here

Directions: Mix the Sal Suds and water in spray bottle. If you are using a mop with a spray reservoir, mix in the tank. Mop. If using the spray bottle, spray solution on floor in sections. Be sure not to spray too much. This recipe is safe for all kinds of floors (tile, wood, etc.). Be sure to label your bottle with “Floor Cleaner.” Double or triple up to make in bulk.

NOTES: Many DIY floor recipes call for vinigar. Vinigar is harmful for wood as it strips the finish over time and will leave it looking cloudy and dull. Using a spray bottle will ensure you use less solution on floor. The main enemy of wood floors is water. Too much water on the floor and you risk warping the planks. You can use generously on tile and vinyl but keep in mind Sal Suds is a soap and floor may become slippery if too much solution is used.

Homemade Natural Oven Cleaner

A popular and effective homemade oven cleaner involves just a few common household ingredients: baking soda, vinegar, and water. Here’s a simple recipe:

You will need:

1. 1/2 cup of baking soda
2. A few tablespoons of water
3. White vinegar

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the baking soda with a few tablespoons of water to form a spreadable paste. The consistency should be thick enough to stick to the walls of your oven.
2. With your oven turned off and cooled down, spread the paste all over the interior of your oven, avoiding the heating elements. Pay special attention to particularly greasy areas.
3. Let the paste sit for at least 12 hours, or overnight. During this time, the baking soda will work to break down the tough, baked-on grime.
4. After the wait, take a damp cloth and wipe out as much of the paste as you can. If there are tougher spots, a silicone or plastic spatula can help scrape off the paste without damaging your oven’s surface.
5. Once the paste is removed, put some vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz it on the surfaces where you still see baking soda residue. The vinegar will react with the baking soda to help loosen this residue.
6. Finally, do another wipe-down with the damp cloth. Repeat the vinegar and water wipe-down if necessary until all the baking soda residue is gone. Read more about oven cleaning here.

Other alternative natural cleaning methods

With everyone conscious about harmful chemicals in our homes and the environment, companies have been working overtime to bring customers more natural alternatives to clean their homes. These products help you sustain your natural cleaning routine easily.

• Microfiber cloths: These are great for cleaning many different surfaces. The tiny fibers pick up more dust and dirt than regular cotton cloth rags and last much longer. Can be washed and reused many times.
• Reusable paper towels: There are many different types of these on the market now. I’ve created a guide to some of the best reusable paper towels on the market here.
• Steamer mops: These steam clean a floor without any cleaner. The hot steam disinfects and sanitizes surfaces and can be used for many different kinds of floors, carpets fabrics and upholsteries. NOTE: Not recommended on wood floors as hot steam may warp boards.

Conclusion

Transitioning your household to non-toxic cleaning supplies and solutions is easy and cost -effective. It’s good for your family, the environment and your wallet. These 4 essential homemade cleaning supply recipes will help you clean your whole house. Breath easy knowing your family and your finances are protected. And here are some more great DIY recipes for your home.