Recently, I became obsessed with filling my home with natural ingredients instead of the harsh chemicals found in everyday products. My most recent project was homemade laundry detergent, which works wonders to keep my clothes fresh and clean. Common household cleaners like dusting spray or toilet scrub are riddled with nasty chemicals that irritate the skin and airways. Last time I cleaned the bathroom, my lungs filled with the odor of bathroom cleaner, and I couldn’t stop coughing. My eyes watered and I wondered if I was taking my final breath in front of the porcelain throne.
Thankfully, I survived but at what cost to my respiratory system? In any case, I had had enough of breathing unknown chemical compounds, and I decided to make my own household cleaners! You probably have the ingredients on hand to make your own! Making natural cleaners is easy, cost effective, and it involves no risk to your health.
For this DIY household cleaner, all you need are three simple ingredients: water, distilled white vinegar, and essential oils—that’s it! Get a spray bottle to house the ingredients. They are easy to find at any hardware, garden or dollar store. This simple concoction is an all-purpose cleaner and the most efficient window cleaner I have ever used—far better than those I’ve purchased at the store. My windows are sparkling clean, and I don’t have any of the pesky smudges the store-bought window cleaners always seem to leave behind. I’ve cleaned doors, baseboards, walls, and sinks with this cleaner, and I’m happy to report clean surfaces and clear airways. Learn how make this easy and effective all-purpose cleaner today!
You can also spruce up your natural all-purpose cleaner with Dawn Dish Detergent, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, borax, and castile soap. I kept this recipe simple as a beginner introduction to cleaning with homemade cleaners.
Here are some common questions about all-purpose cleaners:
Is natural all-purpose cleaner safe for granite countertops?
Yes. Granite manufacturers generally recommended that you clean granite surfaces with soapy water. This would be an instant use for Dawn Dish Detergent.
Is natural all-purpose cleaner safe for wood?
Yes, I’ve been cleaning my wood walls, baseboards, and doors with lightly sprayed cloths and it rubs off the stains. They are sparkling clean with no smudges or worn-in residues. Don’t spray these surfaces directly; rather, spray the cloth or paper towel.
Can I add essential oils to natural cleaners?
Yes! Essential oils are natural, and some have disinfectant properties. Common household cleaners can have fruity aromas, but they aren’t all natural like essential oils. Instead, those aromas are made in labs and smell kind of funky. Who knows what the heck those fake odors do to your body?
Is detergent and water all that’s needed to clean?
Mostly, yes. You can spruce up this basic cleaner with other ingredients, but soapy water will (most of the time) handle cleaning jobs like removing dirt, grime, and bacteria from a variety of surfaces.
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
15 drops peppermint essential oil
15 drops grapefruit or lemon essential oil
Directions:
1) Mix ingredients together in a glass spray bottle.
2) Shake the bottle before each use.
Happy cleaning!
