If you’ve ever looked at your cleaning-supply bill and wondered where all that money went, you’re not alone. Store shelves are packed with sprays, powders, wipes, and specialty cleaners, and it’s easy to end up with a cabinet full of products for jobs that could be handled with a few basic ingredients.
Making some of your own cleaners at home can be a cheaper alternative. Many recipes use things you may already have in your kitchen or laundry room, such as vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and dish soap.
Here are 10 homemade cleaning products worth trying around the house.
All-Purpose Cleaner
You don’t need a different spray for every room. A basic vinegar cleaner can handle plenty of everyday messes, including dirt and grime on many countertops, sinks, and other washable surfaces.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. If you want to cut the vinegar smell, you can add a small amount of citrus peel or make an infused vinegar cleaner.
Before using it, check that vinegar is safe for the surface you plan to clean. It should not be used on natural stone such as marble or granite.
Get the Recipe: Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner
Citrus Degreaser
Lemons can do more than add flavor to your favorite recipes. Their juice can also help cut through greasy buildup around the kitchen.
For a quick cleaner, mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Spray it onto greasy surfaces, let it sit briefly, then wipe it away with a clean cloth.
It can be handy for everyday messes around the kitchen or on appliances. Test the mixture on an inconspicuous area first, since acidic cleaners aren’t suitable for every material.
Stain Remover
Clothing and carpet stains have a way of showing up at the worst possible time. A simple mixture of water, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap can help with some common stains.
Mix equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide with a small amount of dish soap. Apply a little to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse or launder according to the item’s care instructions.
Hydrogen peroxide can lighten some fabrics, so test it on a hidden spot before treating a visible area. For older or stubborn stains, you may need a different treatment.
Say goodbye to some stubborn stains without buying another specialty bottle.
Disinfectant Spray
If you need to disinfect a surface, homemade mixtures require a little more care than ordinary cleaning sprays. Not every natural ingredient kills germs, and mixing household cleaners can sometimes create dangerous fumes.
For a simple alcohol-based surface spray, combine rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle. Follow the concentration and contact-time directions recommended for the specific disinfecting job, and check that the surface can safely be treated with alcohol.
Tea tree oil is sometimes added to homemade cleaners for its scent and other properties, but it should not be treated as a replacement for a registered disinfectant when you need reliable germ-killing.
This type of cleaner can be useful for appropriate hard, nonporous surfaces, but always check the label and safety instructions for the products you use.
Glass Cleaner
Dirty windows and mirrors can make an otherwise clean room look messy. Luckily, you can make a basic glass cleaner with a few inexpensive ingredients.
Mix 1 cup of water with 1/4 cup of white vinegar and a couple of drops of dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray lightly onto the glass and wipe with a clean microfiber cloth.
Using too much soap can leave a film behind, so a little goes a long way. For the best finish, use a dry section of the cloth for the final wipe.
Get the Recipe: DIY Glass Cleaner
Furniture Polish
Wood furniture doesn’t always need an expensive commercial polish. A small amount of oil can help give some finished wood surfaces a fresh, polished appearance.
One homemade option combines 1/4 cup of olive oil with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice. Put a small amount on a soft cloth and gently wipe the surface.
Since finishes vary, test the mixture in an inconspicuous spot before using it on an entire piece. Some wood finishes may react poorly to oil or acidic ingredients.
For another option, try this beeswax wood furniture polish.
Air Freshener
Sometimes a room doesn’t need another layer of perfume. It just needs a quick refresh.
For a simple homemade spray, mix 1 cup of water with 10 drops of your favorite essential oil and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Shake the bottle well before each use and spray lightly around the room.
Keep in mind that essential oils aren’t safe for every household, especially around certain pets, so check their safety before using them. You can also skip the spray altogether and try a stovetop simmer pot.
Related: 12 Simmer Pot Recipes to Fill Your Home with Fresh, Delightful Scents
Floor Cleaner
A bucket of warm water and a small amount of the right cleaner can handle plenty of everyday floor messes.
For floors that can safely tolerate vinegar, mix equal parts water and white vinegar and add a small amount of dish soap. Mop lightly, avoiding excess water, especially on wood floors.
Before using any homemade floor cleaner, check the manufacturer’s care instructions. Vinegar isn’t recommended for every type of flooring, and too much moisture can damage some surfaces.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Baking soda and vinegar are two inexpensive household staples that can help with basic toilet cleaning.
Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl, followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar. Let the mixture fizz for a few minutes, then scrub the bowl with a toilet brush and flush.
The bubbling reaction can help loosen grime, but this mixture shouldn’t be treated as a substitute for a disinfectant. Never combine vinegar with bleach or other chemical toilet cleaners.
For more ideas, check out these 16 uses for baking soda in your garden.
Fabric Softener
If you’re trying to cut down on the number of laundry products you buy, white vinegar is one inexpensive option to keep in your laundry room.
Add the appropriate amount of white vinegar to the fabric-softener compartment of your washing machine rather than spraying it directly onto clothing before putting it in the dryer. The vinegar can help remove leftover detergent residue and leave fabrics feeling softer.
Don’t mix vinegar with bleach, and always follow your washing machine manufacturer’s instructions.
Making cleaning products at home doesn’t mean you need to replace every product in your cabinet. Start with the recipes that make sense for your home and the surfaces you clean most often. A few basic ingredients can handle many everyday jobs, which can save both money and storage space.
