Many people are choosing to replace chemical cleaners with natural, homemade alternatives. From dish soap and window cleaner to stain removers and hand soap, nearly every off-the-shelf cleaning product can be replicated at home with fewer chemicals and ingredients.
Benefits of Making Your Own Household Cleaners
They Can Be Cheaper
In many cases, homemade cleaners can cost pennies on the dollar when compared to store-bought cleaners. Many homemade recipes rely on the same foundational ingredients like vinegar and baking soda, which can be purchased in bulk at dirt-cheap prices.
You Can Make Them Healthier
While the FDA may approve of the chemicals and other additives in store-bought household cleaners, they still may not be the best choice for the health-conscious. In particular, people with chemical sensitivities or allergies can benefit from switching to natural cleaners.
You Have More Control
Making your own homemade cleaners allows you to control the ingredients that go into them. Hate the smell of bleach? Don’t use it! Worried about keeping dangerous cleaners under the sink? Protect your family by using only safe, non-toxic ingredients.
3 Great Natural Cleaner Recipes
Liquid Dish Soap
This recipe for liquid dish soap couldn’t be easier! Although we like to use orange essential oil for a fresh, citrusy scent, you can use any essential oil you choose.
- ½ cup of natural liquid castile soap
- ⅛ cup of water
- 4 drops of orange essential oil
- 1 teaspoon of white vinegar
Just mix it all together and you’re ready to clean! The purest castile soaps are vegetable-based soaps made from vegetable oil, water, and lye. They are 100% vegan and don’t have any harsh additives. This is a critical ingredient to help cut through all that nasty grease!
Homemade Soft-Scrubber
- 1 ½ cups of baking soda
- ½ cup of natural liquid laundry soap
- 5-10 drops of tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract
Simply combine the ingredients in a bowl, mix it all up, and store in a jar or squeeze bottle. This recipe works great on the dishes, counters, and in the bathroom! We use the tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract for their natural antiseptic properties.
Everyday All-Purpose Cleaner
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 2 cups of water
- 1 tablespoon of our homemade dish soap
- 10-30 drops of your essential oil of choice
Just like the other recipes, this one is as simple as combine, mix, and bottle! This recipe works great in a spray bottle and is fantastic for quick-clean up. We like to keep a few bottles of this on hand, each with a different essential oil scent to fit the mood!