Simple Homemade Cleaners and How to Use Them

No one can deny the benefits of using homemade cleaners as an alternative to store-bought cleaning products. They can be made with all-natural ingredients so there’s never a worry of harmful chemicals being left around the house for your kids or pets to come in contact with. Unfortunately, a lot of people are skeptical of their efficacy. So, are natural DIY homemade cleaners really effective? The answer is YES! The simple recipes we are going to share with you to make your own line of house cleaners are not only tried and tested but will also save you hundreds of dollars in the long run! With that said, let’s get right to our simple and effective homemade cleaners and their intended uses.

Homemade Glass Cleaner

Have you noticed that sharp smell you get when you spray glass cleaner on your windows or mirrors? That’s caused by the chemicals present in glass cleaning products as the fine droplets are dispersed into the air. The good news is that the natural alternative to this can be made with just 2 ingredients mixed in some water! In a bowl, combine the following ingredients:

• 2 cups of water
• 1/4 cup 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
• 1/2 cup cider vinegar

Stir it up to mix all the ingredients properly and then pour the solution into a spray bottle. You can also add a few drops of lavender oil for a pleasant fragrance if you’d like. Store your DIY glass cleaner in a cool, dry place, and remember to shake the bottle well before every use.

Homemade Kitchen Surface Cleaner

The last place you want to have traces of chemicals is in your kitchen, also known as the place where you cook and prepare meals! From the countertop and the kitchen sink to appliance exteriors and kitchen cabinets; having a natural kitchen surface cleaner made with ingredients you can cook with is certainly a win-win! To make your homemade kitchen surface cleaner, mix the following ingredients:

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 2 cups white vinegar
• 4 cups of water
• Juice of 1 lemon

Combine the ingredients and clean surfaces using a scrubber soaked in the solution. This kitchen cleaner will not only cut through grease (more effectively if warmed up), but it also helps to deodorize kitchen surfaces!

Homemade Degreaser 

For stubborn grease and grime, you will need a stronger cleaning solution than your DIY kitchen surface cleaner. Particularly when cleaning stove grates or oven racks that have burnt-on grease and food bits, the use of household ammonia in the solution is way more effective. Make your homemade grease cleaner with the following ingredients:

• 1 part water
• 1 part household ammonia
• A small amount of eco-friendly liquid dish soap to create suds

In a spray bottle, pour the water, and then add the ammonia, and a squirt or two of dish soap. Close the bottle and shake well to mix the ingredients. The homemade grease cleaner is now ready to use, however, it is important to rinse off the surface thoroughly after using it. WARNING: Mix the ingredients in a ventilated room and use gloves and protective goggles when handling ammonia as it can cause skin and eye irritation.

Homemade Multipurpose Cleaner

As the name suggests, a multipurpose cleaner can be used to clean various household surfaces including furniture, walls, and bathroom surfaces. It is a very handy homemade cleaner to have when you need to quickly clean or spot clean a surface with just the solution and a cloth or scrubber. Here’s what you’ll need to make your DIY multipurpose cleaner:

• 1/4 cup castile soap
• 2 and a half cups of water
• 2 tablespoons of essential oil (for fragrance)

Mix all the ingredients and pour the solution into a spray bottle. This can be stored at room temperature and used as and when needed by shaking the bottle and spraying it directly on the surface or on your cleaning tool.

Homemade Floor Cleaner

The quality and nature of household floor cleaners are important because they are used in such a wide area of your home. In other words, using a chemical-free and pleasant smelling cleaning solution is the need of the hour! To make an effective, stain-removing DIY floor cleaner, combine the following ingredients:

• 4 cups of water
• 1/2 cup 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup castile soap
• 1-2 tablespoons of essential oil

The quantities above are sufficient for cleaning 1-2 rooms but if you’d like to make a larger solution, be sure to maintain the ratios. After mixing the ingredients properly, dampen a mop with the solution and clean your floors to remove stains and give your home a pleasant fragrance! With these simple recipes to make DIY household cleaners, you’ll never have to worry about buying toxic,  cleaning products that are not environmentally friendly again! So, don’t let skepticism keep you from giving them a try; if it works for us, it will work for you, too!