7 Simple DIY Cleaning Solutions You Can Make At Home
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE SEE OUR FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY FOR DETAILS.
Learn how to make DIY cleaning solutions at home for an easy, green alternative to chemical-based products, including DIY laundry detergent and oven cleaner!
DIY cleaning solutions are an incredible alternative to the saturation of cleaning products on the market today. From solutions and sprays to powders and polishes, there are dozens of cleaning products in the stores designed to help you tackle your mess with as little effort as possible.
However, these solutions are often packed with chemicals and substances that don’t necessarily belong in your home – and on top of that, they’re expensive.
Wondering where to begin? Get our FREE guide, The 30-Minute Organizing Secret, and discover easy ways to overcome the chaos of clutter – even with kids at home!
Many people fail to realize that making your own cleaning supplies at home is an easy, green alternative to traditional chemical-based products.
7 Simple DIY Cleaning Solutions You Can Make At Home
Whether you’re looking to take the DIY approach when it’s time to clean your home or you’re actively trying to avoid the chemicals found in many big-name cleaners, consider these seven cleaning solutions you can easily make at home:
1. All-purpose cleaning spray.
From tackling kitchen counters to bathroom floors, all-purpose cleaner can be used to address many messes in your home. Create your own all-purpose cleaner with a simple mixture of white vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. Add one cup of vinegar and a few drops of your favorite essential oil into a spray bottle and shake well to combine. Then, add 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda and dilute with water until your bottle is full.
Which essential oil is best for an all-purpose cleaner?
The best essential oil is really up to your personal preference. Which smell do you like best? If you want to know what is most popular, these are used in a lot of DIY cleaning solutions:
- Lemon – There’s a reason lemon is used in so many conventional cleaning products. Lemon is a natural cleaner with an uplifting scent. In fact, Live Renewed claims it is an air disinfectant too.
- Lavender – Lavender is a calming and relaxing oil, but that doesn’t make it a weak one. The American College of Healthcare Sciences claims it is an effective antibacterial agent.
- Tea Tree Oil – Unlike lemon or lavender, Tea Tree Oil doesn’t have as pleasant of an aroma. But it does have a ton of antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. This is why many green cleaners will use it with another oil for a more pleasant smell.
2. Stain lifter.
Remove hard-to-clean stains from your carpets with – you guessed it – a simple vinegar solution.
Combine white vinegar and water in equal amounts and spray right onto the stain in question. After letting it sit for a few minutes, wipe gently with a cloth to see if the stain comes off. If not, use a scrub brush and some warm, soapy water to supplement your spray.
3. Wood polish.
Anyone with wood floors in their home knows it can be a challenge to keep them looking their best. When it’s time to spruce them up, consider a homemade wood polish of equal parts olive oil and vinegar.
Add in a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance, apply to your floor, and use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe off any excess. Test this one on a small, discrete corner before tackling the whole room.
4. Dusting spray.
If you dread dusting your home, consider whipping up some of this dusting spray to make the task much easier!
Mix a cup of water with a half cup of white vinegar, two tablespoons of oil (olive or vegetable will work just fine), and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. When it’s time to dust, spray down your surfaces with this solution and wipe them with a clean microfiber cloth. You’ll be amazed to see how much stuff you’re able to lift with one pass!
5. Oven cleaner.
Another DIY cleaning solution you can make at home is an oven cleaner.
It’s no secret: the oven is one of the most dreaded items in the house to tackle when it comes to cleaning. Caked-on, baked-on grease, and grime aren’t always easy to remove, even with the most heavy-duty chemical-based cleaners on the market. However, if you’re on a mission to make your own cleaners, you’ll be surprised by how effective this simple solution is.
Mix three parts baking soda with one part salt and add just enough water to transform the powder into a paste. Apply to the oven interior and leave it to sit overnight. The next day, the grit and grime should wipe away with a little warm water and elbow grease.
6. Glass cleaner.
Tired of staring at streaky mirrors and stained windows? Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to a spray bottle, fill the rest with water, and shake to combine. Spray on glass surfaces and clean with a cotton or microfiber cloth.
Another DIY tip? Use newspaper to clean off the white vinegar solution. The newspaper will soak it up and leave a streak-free shine.
7. Laundry detergent.
Another very popular DIY cleaning solution among green cleaners is making your own laundry detergent.
Laundry detergent is one of the most expensive cleaning products many families buy, but with a little effort, you can cut costs and have more control over the ingredients making their way into your home.
This one is a bit more involved than many of the spray cleaners you can DIY, so you’ll want to find a recipe online to follow. Generally speaking, all you’ll need is some standard bar soap, borax, and washing soda – ingredients you may not always have on hand but can pick up easily (and cheaply) at your local grocer.
Here are some popular homemade laundry detergent recipes:
- Happy Money Saver – This recipe costs only $0.04 per load, saving you a lot of money.
- MommyPotomus – She uses lemon essential oil in her recipe, which brings out a very bright scent.
- The Prairie Homestead – She shares lots of tips and ideas for making your own laundry detergent.
From dust bunnies to dirty footprints, you might be surprised to see how many of your common household messes can be handled by a DIY cleaning solution. Have you ever tried to make your own cleaning spray or scrub? If so, how did it go? Leave a comment and share below!
In a hurry to clean your home before last minute guests arrive? Check out our tips on the best ways to fake a clean house when you’re out of time.
Struggling to get motivated? Sign up to get our FREE guide, The 30-Minute Organizing Secret, and discover easy ways to overcome the chaos of clutter – even with kids at home!
More Cleaning Tips & Ideas
As you put in the hard work of keeping your home clean,
