Buckling down and giving your home a deep clean can feel daunting—and for good reason. A thorough, precise cleaning probably involves extensive scrubbing, some thorough dusting with a microfiber duster, an hour or two of rigorous vacuuming, freshening rugs with a carpet cleaner, and of course, tracking down the right cleaning solutions for the job. For many people—especially those of who us who are trying to be more eco-friendly or are concerned about powerful cleaning agents—that means finding the best homemade cleaners to DIY.
Knowing how to make your own homemade cleaning products with the help of just a few simple ingredients can be as rewarding as the feeling of having a super-clean home. And odds are, you likely have a lot of these items sitting in your cabinets or pantry right now! Some of the same everyday ingredients you use to make a batch of cookies or even salad dressing double as great cleaning agents, too. Here, cleaning and organizing expert Jennifer Jones of iheartorganizing.com shares some more info on how to get started on making your own cleaning products at home. Read on for a list of the 10 best (and easy!) homemade cleaners. And while you’re in a cleaning mood, here are some great general cleaning tips to get you started, plus specific pointers for cleaning your microwave and coffee maker.
Before you start making any cleaners, a tip from Jennifer:
It’s important to exercise caution when mixing different chemicals and ingredients. “I always recommend people do their research prior to making any homemade cleaners,” Jennifer says. There are many ingredients that are commonly used to make at-home cleaning products, but they don’t all always work great together. “An example of this is vinegar and hydrogen peroxide: The combination becomes extremely acidic and corrosive,” she notes. Test any homemade cleaners in small areas first. Also, keep in mind bleach and vinegar should never be mixed, as it can create extremely toxic chlorine gas, which can cause eye irritation and coughing.
DIY All-Purpose Cleaner
What you’ll need:
– One part white vinegar
– One part water
– The rind of a citrus fruit, such as lemon
Mix together the above ingredients in a glass spray bottle (Jones recommends glass over plastic, as plastic can break down over time) and gently shake to combine. Let sit for a few days. You can use this to tackle mild messes like soap scum on non-porous surfaces like tile.
Tip: It’s best to avoid using acidic ingredients on porous surfaces like granite and untreated wood. Over time, this could damage and dull these surfaces.
DIY Glass Cleaner
What you’ll need:
-1/2 cup white vinegar
-1/2 cup isopropyl alcohol
-1 tbsp. cornstarch
Mix together the above ingredients in a spray bottle and shake. Use this mixture to clean glass surfaces like windows, mirrors, or sliding glass doors. To avoid visible streaks, dry the surfaces well using a microfiber cloth. Jones recommends using a different color cloth for each room, so you know which purpose each is for.
Tip: Isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable. If you use this to clean, proceed with caution and be sure to read the safety label on the bottle.
DIY Bathroom Cleaner
What you’ll need:
– 1/3 cup white vinegar
– 1/3 cup isopropyl alcohol
– 1/3 cup distilled water
– A couple drops, lemon essential oil
– Liquid Castile soap or regular dish soap
Combine the vinegar, isopropyl alcohol, and water in a spray bottle with the essential oil. To deep clean the shower specifically, heat up 1/2 cup vinegar in the microwave, mix with 1/2 cup dish soap, and add to a spray bottle. Let sit about 3 to 5 minutes, then wipe clean. Jones says an abrasive sponge is best for this.
DIY Granite Countertop Cleaner
What you’ll need:
– Isopropyl alcohol
– Liquid Castile soap or regular dish soap
– Water
Mix about 1/4 cup of isopropyl alcohol with a small splash liquid Castile dish soap and 1 1/2 cups water in a spray bottle. Use on granite countertops. Rinse with water, and dry with a microfiber cloth.
DIY Kitchen Cleaner
What you’ll need:
– Warm water
– Baking soda
This is probably the most basic cleaning scrub you’ll ever make! Mix together warm water with enough baking soda to make a paste. Use a scrubbing brushwith the paste to clean kitchen sinks or countertops.
Tip: Thoroughly rinse anything you’re cleaning with baking soda and properly dry to avoid any residue.
DIY Grease Cleaner
What you’ll need:
– Liquid Castile soap or regular dish soap
– Baking soda
– Warm water
Add a splash of the liquid Castile soap and a spoonful of the baking soda to a spray bottle. Fill with warm water. Spray on cooktop areas where grease often accumulates, such as spots around burners. Be sure to wipe clean with a sponge after. Jones also recommends soaking greasy pans or grates in this mixture for about 20 minutes. “Soaking is key to effectively and easily removing grime and grease for a sparkling finish,” she says.
DIY Tile Floor Cleaner
What you’ll need:
– Warm water
Combine about 2 gallons of warm water and a couple spoonfuls of Borax powder in a cleaning bucket. After mopping, do a rinse wash and let dry.
DIY Tough Messes Multipurpose Cleaning Scrub
What you’ll need:
– Lemon juice
– Borax powder
Combine a few tablespoons of lemon juice with 1 cup borax powder to create a paste. Use to scrub tough messes as well as rust stains on sinks. Do not use on granite or marble counter tops; acidity from lemon juice can be damaging to porous surfaces.
DIY Quick-Fix Carpet Cleaner
What you’ll need:
– Club soda
– Salt
For recent spills on carpets, try this combination: First, use a paper towel to dab the stain on the carpet and lift as much of it off the carpet as you can. Add a splash of club soda to the area and use a cloth or paper towel to blot and absorb as much of the stain as possible. Sprinkle lightly with salt, then, after a few minutes, vacuum the area.
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DIY Wood Floor Cleaner
What you’ll need:
– Liquid Castile soap or regular dish soap
– Water
Combine a couple tablespoons liquid Castile soap with about 1 gallon of water. Use a slightly wet microfiber cloth or a microfiber mop. Be sure to dry the. floor very thoroughly to avoid water damage.