21 Amazing Homemade Cleaners That Work

Are you tired of paying a small fortune on household cleaning products? Are you concerned about introducing harsh chemicals in these products into your home? Are you frustrated by the minimal results that some of these products produce? These are all common concerns, and the good news is that there is an easy solution available.

With ingredients that you may already have in your pantry, you can create homemade, natural cleaning products that could work just as well or even better than the products that you can buy at the store. Before you start mixing ingredients together, be aware of combining some of these ingredients together could create noxious fumes. For your safety, do not make substitutions as you prepare your solutions and mixtures.

Scented White Vinegar

White vinegar has strong acidic properties, so it can be used to sanitize a wide range of hard surfaces in your home. However, you should avoid using it on natural stone, such as granite. This is because the acid can erode the sediments in the stone and cause irreparable damage. To make this simple and effective solution, combine a cup of water with a cup of white vinegar. While white vinegar has excellent cleaning properties, it has a strong smell that is unpleasant to some people. Add a lemon rind or a sprig of rosemary to the mixture to improve the aroma. Pour the solution in a spray bottle, and use it on laminate counters, windows, tubs, sinks, and other hard surfaces. Generally, you do not need to rinse it off of the surfaces. However, if you do rinse them, wipe them dry with a clean towel or cloth to avoid water spots.

Dish Washing Soap Marble Cleaner

Because marble is a natural stone that should not be cleaned with acidic products, you need to find a mild yet effective solution. You can safely clean marble counters with a combination of two drops of liquid dishwashing soap mixed with two cups of hot water. After you wipe down the counters with this solution, use a clean, damp cloth to rinse them off. Then, use another clean, dry cloth to remove any remaining moisture and to buff the counters to produce a beautiful shine.

Kitchen Cabinet Cleaner

Kitchen cabinets can get grimy with cooking grease, food splatters, hand oils, and more. Most wood cabinets can easily be cleaned with a mixture of a cup of coconut oil with a half-cup of baking soda. Mix these two ingredients together. With a clean cloth, wipe down cabinets using a minimal amount of this mixture. You may need to use a second cloth to buff the cabinets after the oil and baking soda have been applied. This will both clean and polish the cabinets beautifully.

Baking Soda Deodorizer

When you combine a quart of warm water with a few tablespoons of baking soda, you can create a deodorizing, cleansing paste. It can safely be used to clean all stainless-steel surfaces, including the exteriors of your dishwashing machine, range, and oven. Always use a clean cloth to rub the paste in the direction of the metal’s grain. Then, rinse the paste off. Use a clean cloth to dry and shine the surface. Baking soda can also be placed inside the fridge or poured into a garbage disposal to cut unpleasant odors.

Bleach and Detergent Stain Removal

Removing stains from white clothing and linens is challenging. When these items are even slightly blemished, they may wind up at the back of your closet or in the trash because they have a dirty appearance despite being freshly laundered. If your other efforts to remove stains have not worked, you can mix a cup of powdered clothing detergent with a cup of non-chlorine bleach. Apply this mixture to the stain liberally, and allow it to remain on the stain for approximately 15 minutes. Wash your laundry as usual. If the stain remains, you may need to repeat these steps. Do not use this stain removal method with colored fabrics.

An Alternative Stain Remover

You can bypass the bleach and remove stains effectively with the use of hydrogen peroxide and liquid dishwashing soap. Add two parts of the soap for every one part of the hydrogen peroxide. This solution should be stored in a dark spray bottle because light can reduce the effectiveness of the hydrogen peroxide. Spray the stain remover directly on the stain as you would with any other stain removal product. After allowing the solution to saturate through the stain for a few minutes, wash the clothes as usual. As is the case with the bleach stain removal method, you may need to repeat this process another time in order to erase all signs of stains.

Homemade Fabric Softener

You can enjoy soft, clean clothes without the use of expensive, store-bought fabric softening products. Gently stir 2 cups of Suave hair conditioner with 3 cups of white vinegar and 6 cups of water. Choose a hair conditioner scent that is appealing and mild for the best results. This solution can be used as a direct replacement for fabric softener, so you can add it to your washing machine with each load as you normally would.

Vinegar and Alcohol Glass Cleaner

Getting mirrors and windows perfectly clean and streak-free is easy to do with this homemade cleaning agent. In a spray bottle, combine 2 cups of water with a half-cup of white vinegar and a quarter-cup of rubbing alcohol. If you want to make the mixture smell better, you can add a few drops of essential citrus or lemon oil. Simply spray the solution on the glass surface, and wipe it away as you would with any other glass cleaning product. Keep in mind that the best time to clean exterior windows is on a cloudy day when the temperature is relatively mild. This is because heat and sunlight can cause the cleaning solution to dry quickly, and this creates undesirable smudges.

An Alternative Glass Cleaner

If you do not have vinegar available, you can use this alternative glass cleaning solution. In a spray bottle, add a half-gallon of water with 16 ounces of rubbing alcohol and a half-cup of ammonia. Mix this thoroughly. Then, add a teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Stir the solution lightly so that you do not create an excessive amount of bubbles. Use this homemade glass cleaner to clean your windows and mirrors as you normally would.

Homemade Cleaning Wipes

Clorox cleaning wipes are popular because of their ease of use and their effectiveness, and you can create your homemade version of these wipes that are just as effective. Pour two cups of rubbing alcohol in a large jar. Add a few teaspoons of liquid dishwashing detergent and your favorite essential oil. Place a few clean cloths in the mason jar. After you put the lid on the jar, turn the jar around until the towels are saturated. You can then use these towels in place of the Clorox wipes.

Vinegar and Salt Brass Cleaner

Are your brass cabinet pulls and other accent pieces stained or discolored? Combine regular table salt with white vinegar. Use a clean sponge to wipe down your brass surfaces with this mixture. After you rinse the brass with clean water, use a dry, soft cloth to finish the job. This should only be used on non-lacquered brass.

Ammonia Grease Cutter

When your range and other surfaces are splattered with grease, reach for your bottle of ammonia. Fill your kitchen sink or a bucket with a gallon of warm water and a half-cup of ammonia. With a clean sponge or cloth, wipe down the greasy surfaces using the ammonia solution. This solution can safely be used on your stove top’s grill grates and other metal surfaces as well.

Grease-Removing Floor Cleaner

If your tile or laminate flooring has a greasy film, you can cut through the grease by mopping with this solution. You will combine 2 gallons of warm water with a quarter-cup of white vinegar and a tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Mop the floor as usual. You should be able to remove the residue and have a sparkling floor without needing to rinse the floor after mopping. You can hire top rated chicago home cleaners as well to help you clean your floors.

Citrus De-Greasing Solution

You can also remove grease from hard surfaces with this citrus-based product. This solution is made with 2 cups of warm water, 2 teaspoons of Castile soap, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and approximately 20 drops of lemon essential oil. After mixing it in a spray bottle, spray it on hard surfaces as you would with other general cleaning products. This product can also be used to remove small grease stains on upholstered surfaces.

Homemade Dishwasher Pods

You can easily make your own dishwasher pods using a few ingredients and a small mold tray. Mix lemon essential oils with a half-cup of white vinegar, a half-cup of Epsom salt or table salt, 2 cups of Borax and 2 cups of baking soda. Place this pasty mixture in the molds. Allow them to dry, and then use your homemade pods as you would use store-bought dish detergent pods.

Homemade Toilet Cleaner Pods

These homemade pods will fizz when they hit the toilet bowl to make light work of a messy cleaning project. To make these pods, combine a quarter-cup of citric acid with a cup of baking soda and any type of dish soap. You can also add your favorite essential oils to improve the aroma. Add the liquid dish soap over the baking soda concoction slowly, you will notice the mixture clumping together. Place dollops of these clumps separately on parchment paper or on a mold. After they dry overnight, store them in an airtight container until you need them. To clean with the pods, drop a single pod into the toilet. After the fizzing activity settles down, use your toilet brush to clean the toilet as usual.

Borax and Lemon Rust Stain Remover

Are your tubs and porcelain or enamel sinks riddled with rust stains? This is an unfortunately common problem that is easy to fix with borax detergent and a lemon. Cut the lemon in half, and dip it in the borax detergent. Simply rub the lemon and borax over the rust stain, and watch the stain disappear. Remember to rinse and dry the surface after the stain is gone. This acidic solution should not be used on natural stone surfaces, such as marble or granite counters.

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

If you prefer not to clean with white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide can be used in combination with baking soda as an alternative. Combine a few tablespoons of baking soda with the hydrogen peroxide in a bowl. Dip a clean cloth in the solution, and start wiping down your counters, sinks, and other hard surfaces in the bathrooms and kitchen. You will need to rinse the surfaces with clean water and dry them after you have finished cleaning them.

Vinegar and Dish Soap Tub Cleaner

You can make light work of bathroom cleaning chores with this homemade cleaner. Heat an equal amount of liquid dish soap and white vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl for a minute. Pour this into a spray bottle, and apply it to your tub and shower surfaces while it is still warm. After 30 minutes, scrub the surfaces as you normally would. After the grime is gone, rinse the surfaces with clean water.

Wood Furniture Dust Spray

You can remove dust from wood furniture and create a healthy shine with this homemade dusting spray. Mix 2 teaspoons of olive oil with a half-cup of water and a quarter-cup of white vinegar. For the lemony scent that you may love after you dust the furniture, you can add a few drops of essential lemon oil to the mix. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution and to dust the furniture as usual. The oil and water will separate quickly, so you should shake the spray bottle periodically as you work your way through the house dusting all of the furniture.

Homemade Air Freshener

Whether your favorite essential oil is lavender, lemon, or something else, you can create a spray air freshener with this recipe. Combine 2 tablespoons of emulsifier with 6 tablespoons of tap water and 20 drops of essential oil. You can also combine oils for a unique, pleasing scent. After shaking the mixture, use a spray bottle to aerate it throughout your home. You can also spray it lightly on your bed and upholstery for an extra aromatic boost.

Prepare for Your Next Home Cleaning Session Today

Harsh, chemical-based cleaning products are commonly used throughout the home on a regular basis, but they are not the only option. Whether you are interested in saving money, seeing better results, or keeping your home free of chemicals, making your own products is a wonderful idea.

You will need to plan ahead to prepare and use homemade cleaning products. However, once these products are made, you can generally use most of them for several months before you need to make another batch. To get started, invest in several spray bottles and airtight containers as well as all of the ingredients that you need. Now is the perfect time to start making all of the homemade products that are necessary for your next cleaning session.