I won’t go to mother nature on you here, but it is important that you know the devastating consequences of the chemicals in store-bought household cleaners. They are not only harming the environment, but are also doing serious and irreparable damage to your health.
I’ve put together a list of all-natural cleaners you can make at home with just a handful of ingredients. I know what you’re probably thinking, but they really do work!
There is one for every type of grit, grime, or funk that you may come across.
1. Basic All-Purpose Cleaner
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 6-10 drops tea tree essential oil
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a glass spray bottle. Spray onto surface and wipe with a clean cloth. Use to clean your counter before or after cooking as it is that safe! So safe it can also be used as a rinse on your fruits, veggies, and even kids toys!
2. Castile Soap Grime Eraser
- 2 cup of water
- 1/4 cup castile soap
- 6-10 drops lemon or orange essential oil
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a glass spray bottle. Use on countertops, bathrooms, toilets, or anywhere that needs a good scrub.
3. Natural Glass Shiner
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup rubbing alcohol
- 6-10 drops Lemon Essential Oil
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a glass spray bottle. Use a clean cotton cloth or newspaper to clean glass, granite, or stovetop.
4. DIY Soft Scrub
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup castile soap
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- Splash of water
Directions: Combine baking soda and castile soap in a small bowl. Add just enough water to make a nice, smooth paste. Use to remove soap scum from tubs, toilet, and tile.
5. DIY Floor Cleaner
- 1-gallon water
- 2 tbsp castile soap
- 4-6 drops tea tree essential oil
Directions: Combine all ingredients and use to clean floors. Use a damp mop with minimal water. Saturating floor with liquid may cause spotting or warping of the surface depending on the flooring. Always do a test patch before using it.
6. DIY Floor Cleaner with Vinegar
- 1-gallon warm water
- 1 cup vinegar
- 4-6 drops tea tree essential oil
Directions: Similar to the above floor cleaner but without vinegar. Castile soap may be too abrasive for some flooring so vinegar makes an excellent substitute. But again, always do a test patch.
7. Serious Degreaser
- 1 cup castile soap
- 2 tbsp rubbing alcohol
- 15 drops lemon essential oil
Directions: Combine ingredients in a glass container. Shake before use. Apply to damp cloth or sponge and wipe the surface until clean.
8. Carpet Deodorizer
- 1 cup baking soda
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
Directions: Combine baking soda and essential oil. Sprinkle on carpet and allow to sit for 30 minutes. Vacuum up and breathe easy! You can even put a scoop in your cat’s litter to minimize odors.
9. Grout Cleaner
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup water
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
Directions: Mix ingredients to make a paste. Scrub the mixture onto grout in a circular motion using a brush. Rinse and repeat if necessary.
10. DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 2-3 drops thieves essential oil
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Dump into the toilet bowl and use a toilet brush to clean. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes so the essential oils effectively remove all odor.
