Three weeks ago I shared 10 beauty things to start making instead of buying. And this week I’m sharing the all-natural cleaning version of that post! It’s so convenient to have all my most used recipes in one place 😉 I’ve been making my own cleaning products since college. It’s super cost-effective and most ingredients come straight from the kitchen cabinet.
As a note, mixing vinegar and soap is counterproductive. Vinegar (an acid) causes a process called unsaponification, basically un-soaping soap. Soap is very basic (on the pH scale) so mixing vinegar and Castile soap (for example) causes the lye and oils to unbind. Generally don’t mix vinegar with any acid. (Soap and lemon juice for example.) Use the soap to clean and then vinegar to further rinse. This is especially great if you have hard water and after cleaning with soap and water, a film is left behind.
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10 cleaning products to start making instead of buying
1. Disinfectant Spray
It’s always a good idea to disinfect surfaces but especially now. Rubbing alcohol of at least 70% kill viruses, so using at least 70% for it to have disinfecting power.
- 1 1/2 cups of rubbing alcohol
- 1/4 cup of white vinegar
- 1/4 cup of water
- peels from 2 lemons
- 3-5 sage leaves
- 25 drops of orange essential oil (optional)
Mix ingredients and if you add botanicals (like sage leaves, lavender, rosemary, etc.), let infuse for one to three weeks before straining and storing in a spray bottle. Good for up to 5 months.
2. Glass and Surface Cleaner
This is my go-to zero waste cleaning recipe that I use to clean almost everything! Just mix and store! I love to use old rags or t-shirts to clean mirrors.
- 1 part vinegar
- 1 part water
Related: 35 Things You Can Clean with Vinegar
3. All-Purpose Cleaner
Again, another super simple recipe for cleaning almost everything. Between this and the vinegar spray, I can clean every surface of my home. Mix and store in a spray bottle for convenient cleaning.
- 1 cup of water
- 1 Tbsp liquid Castile Soap
4. Shower Scrub
I have asthma so any cleaning product with harsh smells or strong perfumes really bother me. Instead of using a Clorox bleach scrub, I make my own paste and scrub my shower and sinks with it.
- 3/4 cup baking soda
- 2-3 Tbsp hydrogen peroxide
- 2 Tbsp liquid Castile soap
Mix and store in an airtight container. To use, take a generous amount with a bristle brush*. I use an old one (too degraded for kitchen use) as well as use an old toothbrush to scrub tight corners, etc.
5. Wool Dryer Balls
Another cleaning product I don’t go without is my wool dryer laundry balls. They help reduce static and soften wrinkles.
- Wrap the end of the thread around two fingers a couple of times before wrapping the yarn around the middle. This will start the ball.
- Continue wrapping the yarn around itself, until the entire skein has been used.
- With a crochet needle (or similar instrument such as a crochet hook, knitting needle, fork, chopstick, etc.), thread the end of the yarn through the ball of yarn.
- Place the balls of yarn into a stocking foot and tieing with a bit of acrylic yarn to separate.
- Wash the stocking containing the wool balls in the washing machine or sink on the hottest possible setting.
- After they dry, store them in near your dryer to easily throw them in with any load!
Use about 3 for a normal sized load and up to 6 for a large load. You can also add a couple of drops of essential oil to the balls to give your laundry a natural scent boost.
5. Bleach Alternative
This is a super toxic cleaner to have in your house. I only used to use it before to get my whites white. Now I use this instead!
- 3 1/2 cups of water
- 1/3 cup of hydrogen peroxide
- 1/3 cup of baking soda
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice (optional)
- 5-10 drops of lemon essential oil
Mix and store. Use 1/3 cup per load. This recipe actually works best if you continue to wash on a cold cycle. I only wash my clothes with cold water because it saves on electricity and is just as effective.
6. Laundry Soap
Most laundry soap (or detergent) comes in plastic, plastic, plastic. Skip the packaging and mix these ingredients together instead.
- 1 cup of borax
- 1 cup of washing soda
- grated bar of soap
- 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (I use lemon and lavender!)
Mix and store in an airtight container. Use 2 tablespoons for a normal load and 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) for a large load.
7. Fabric/Ironing Spray
As a sewist, I always need some liquid nearby to help steam iron my clothes/fabric. This Febreeze spray alternative is safe and chemical-free.
- 1 part vodka or witch hazel
- 1 part water
- 1/4 tsp essential oil (optional but recommended if using vodka)
Spray on fabric or upholstered furniture. Do not soak and let evaporate. I love to spray pillows!
8. Reusable Dust Wipes
This is my favorite new zero-waste cleaning recipe! It’s super effective and with the oil in it gives shine to wood surfaces. Dust and grime cling to the moist fabric.
- 1 cup of water
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 10 drops of lemon essential oil
Use old cut-up t-shirts (cut approximately 6″x8″), roll up, and submerge in mixture. Wring out excess moisture before using. Simply wipe down dust coated surfaces
9. Produce Wash
Fruit and vegetables come coated in residual pesticides and wax. Soak or scrub produce with this simple mixture. Using soap to wash produce is not advisable since some fruit/vegetables are porous and will retain the soap.
- 1 cup of vinegar
- 1/2 cup of lemon juice
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tsp baking soda (optional)
10. Dish Washer Detergent
If you have a dishwasher, make this detergent instead of buying soap that usually comes bottled in plastic.
- 1 cup of washing soda
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 1 cup of citric acid*
- 1/2 cup salt
Mix and store in an air tight container. Make sure it isn’t exposed to moisture! Scoop 1 Tbsp per load.
Along with a dishwashing block* and plant-based cloth*, these are all the things I use to for a toxic-free clean home! Cleaning is important but it can be safe and too. No need to run to the store when you can whip up your own product right at home. Do you use any of these recipes?
Happy Cleaning-
*Affiliate Link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure page for more info.
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