This post shows you 12 powerful DIY cleaning products that you wouldn’t have thought of.
Cleaning your home is one of those chores we can’t avoid, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a constant source of frustration or expense.
Let’s face it: store-bought cleaners, while effective, can be pricey, loaded with harsh chemicals, and sometimes less effective than we’d hoped.
What if there was a way to achieve that spotless sparkle using simple, powerful cleaning solutions you can whip up at home? You’d not only save money but also take better control of what’s really being sprayed around your living spaces.
In this post, we’re diving into 12 tried-and-true cleaning products you can make yourself—powerful concoctions that work just as well (if not better) than their store-bought counterparts.
Regardless of you looking to cut costs, reduce your chemical exposure, or simply tap into the rewarding magic of DIY, these homemade cleaners will have your surfaces gleaming and your guests impressed.
12 DIY CLEANING PRODUCTS THAT WORK BETTER THAN STORE-BOUGHT
1. All-Purpose Vinegar Cleaner
Ingredients: 1 part white vinegar, 1 part water, a few drops of essential oil (optional).
How It Works: Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that breaks down grime, soap scum, and sticky residues. Combined with water, it becomes a versatile cleaner suitable for most household surfaces.
The addition of essential oils not only masks the strong vinegar smell but also adds antimicrobial properties, depending on the oil chosen (e.g., lavender or tea tree oil).
Application: Mix the vinegar, water, and optional essential oils in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Spray directly onto countertops, stovetops, and other hard surfaces, then wipe clean with a cloth.
Note: Avoid using on stone surfaces like granite or marble, as vinegar may etch them over time.
2. Baking Soda Scrub
Ingredients: 1 cup baking soda, enough water to form a paste, and a few drops of lemon essential oil (optional).
How It Works: Baking soda’s abrasive texture is gentle enough to scrub off tough stains without scratching surfaces. It’s a natural deodorizer, making it perfect for bathroom and kitchen cleaning.
Adding lemon essential oil provides a fresh scent while boosting antibacterial properties.
Application: In a bowl, mix baking soda and a little water to create a paste. Optionally, add a few drops of lemon essential oil for a pleasant aroma.
Apply the paste with a sponge or cloth to areas that need scrubbing—like sinks, stovetops, and tile grout—then rinse with water.
3. Lemon and Salt Degreaser
Ingredients: Half a lemon, 1/4 cup coarse salt.
How It Works: Lemon juice acts as a natural degreaser, while salt’s coarse texture aids in scrubbing off grime and grease. This combination is excellent for kitchen cleaning and brightening stainless steel.
Application: Cut a lemon in half and dip the cut side into salt. Use it to scrub greasy surfaces, such as pots, pans, and stovetops. The acidity of the lemon breaks down the grease, while the salt provides scrubbing power.
Rinse with warm water and enjoy the citrusy scent.
4. DIY Glass Cleaner
Ingredients: 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 cups warm water.
How It Works: This glass cleaner delivers streak-free shine with the help of rubbing alcohol and vinegar. Cornstarch absorbs dirt and prevents streaking.
Application: Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle, shake well, and spray on windows, mirrors, or glass tabletops. Use a microfiber cloth or newspaper to wipe away for a streak-free finish.
5. Citrus Enzyme Cleaner
Ingredients: 1 cup citrus peels, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon yeast, 1 liter water.
How It Works: By fermenting citrus peels with sugar and yeast, you create an enzyme cleaner that is effective at breaking down dirt and neutralizing odors. This natural cleaner is perfect for kitchen and bathroom use.
Application: Add all ingredients to a large container with a loose-fitting lid. Leave it to ferment in a warm area for two to three weeks, shaking daily. Strain the liquid and store it in a spray bottle. Use it on greasy surfaces, tiles, and even in drains to cut odors.
6. DIY Wood Polish
Ingredients: 3 parts olive oil, 1 part lemon juice.
How It Works: Olive oil conditions and restores the shine of wood furniture, while lemon juice helps remove dirt and provides a fresh scent.
Application: Combine the ingredients and apply with a soft cloth, buffing in circular motions. This mixture conditions the wood and leaves a beautiful shine.
7. Essential Oil Air Freshener Spray
Ingredients: 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon baking soda, 15-20 drops of essential oil (e.g., lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint).
How It Works: This air freshener neutralizes odors with baking soda and provides a lasting aroma from essential oils.
Application: Dissolve baking soda in water, add essential oils, and pour into a spray bottle. Shake well before each use and spritz around your home for a refreshing scent.
8. DIY Toilet Bombs
Ingredients: 1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup citric acid, 15-20 drops of essential oil (e.g., tea tree oil).
How It Works: Baking soda and citric acid react to create a fizzing effect that loosens stains and grime in toilets. Tea tree oil adds antimicrobial power.
Application: Mix the dry ingredients and add essential oil drops gradually. Pack the mixture into molds and let dry for 24 hours. Drop a bomb into the toilet for a quick, effervescent clean.
9. Castile Soap Spray
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Castile soap, 1 quart water, a few drops of essential oil (optional).
How It Works: Castile soap is a biodegradable, plant-based cleaner safe for multiple surfaces.
Application: Mix soap, water, and essential oil (if desired) in a spray bottle. Use it on floors, counters, or laundry as a mild detergent.
10. DIY Carpet Freshener
Ingredients: 1 cup baking soda, 10 drops essential oil.
How It Works: This freshener absorbs odors while adding a pleasant scent to carpets.
Application: Mix the ingredients, sprinkle over carpets, let it sit for 15 minutes, and vacuum.
11. Laundry Detergent Powder
Ingredients: 1 bar of grated Castile soap, 1 cup washing soda, 1 cup borax.
How It Works: This eco-friendly detergent effectively cleans clothes, breaks down grease, and fights odors.
Application: Mix the ingredients and store in a jar. Use 1-2 tablespoons per laundry load.
12. DIY Disinfectant Spray
Ingredients: 1 cup water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol, 20 drops tea tree oil.
How It Works: Vinegar, alcohol, and tea tree oil create a powerful germ-killing solution.
Application: Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and use on high-touch surfaces to disinfect.
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