Natural Cleaners You Can Make Yourself!!

We have discussed previously the importance of cleaning with natural chemical-free cleaners. They are better for your health, the environment, and your wallet. In fact making your own natural cleaner, can be a big money saver as well as health saver since you know exactly what is going into the product. Because most natural cleaning products on the market contain things that available at your local store, they are a breeze to make. 


Baking soda, vinegar,  lemon juice, cornstarch, isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are effective, inexpensive key ingredients found in many homemade cleaners. Many of those ingredients are already in your house making it even cheaper! Below are recipes for the most common household cleaning needs, they are very simple and very safe.

Daily All-Purpose Cleaner
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup seltzer water
8 drops of tea tree oil
1/8 cup hydrogen peroxideBesides cleaning, this mixture can be used to disinfect surface areas in your home. Hydrogen peroxide eventually turns to water, so make sure to add more each time you use the solution.

Spot Wipes (Bleach Wipes Alternative)
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup club soda
8 drops of essential oil (for scent)Combine ingredients and soak 20 heavy-duty paper towels in the mixture. Squeeze out the excess and store in a plastic sandwich bag. Use to clean spots and spills as needed.

Dual-Spray System (Bleach Alternative)
3% hydrogen peroxide
White vinegar
Clear spray bottle
Dark spray bottle (or a spray nozzle to fit over hydrogen-peroxide bottle)Fill clear spray bottle with straight vinegar. Fill dark spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide or apply spray nozzle directly to hydrogen peroxide bottle. To disinfect any hard surface, spray vinegar, then hydrogen peroxide or vice versa. Spraying order does not affect effectiveness. This solution can also be used to safely clean and disinfect produce. Spray both solutions, then rinse thoroughly.

Non-Abrasive Cleaner
Pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture-like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn’t leave grit. Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar; this will keep the product moist. If you cannot find glycerin, make the mixture as needed.

Mold and Mildew Spray
2 tsp tea tree oil
2 cups waterCombine in a spray bottle, shake to blend and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. The strong odor will dissipate over time. This recipe makes 2 cups. The tea tree oil is costly but works really well and will last a long time.

Window Cleaner
1/4-1/2 tsp liquid detergent
3 tbsp vinegar
2 cups waterPut all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.

Toilet Bowl CleanersVinegar and Baking Soda
1 cup vinegar
1/2 cup baking sodaPour the vinegar into the toilet bowl and let it sit for at least 30 minute. When complete, dip your brush in the toilet and sprinkle some baking soda onto the brush. Scour the inside of the toilet with the brush until the all baking soda is gone. Repeat as necessary.