How To Make Natural Cleaning Products At Home
Learn how to make your own all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, furniture polish, and glass cleaner at home. Save money too! Get step-by-step instructions here. Both inexpensive and environmentally friendly, homemade cleaning products are highly effective at maintaining a clean home. Learn how to make 15 DIY Natural Cleaning Products and download the printable cheat sheet below!
In case you’re in a hurry…
Disclaimer: This post is an extension of my own personal research and experience. It is not to be used in place of medical advice. The author disclaims all liability in relation to the use of this information. The statements made in this post have not been evaluated by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration). The information in this post is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information provided in this post is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with your physician, and should not be construed as medical advice. See my full disclaimer here.
If you want to learn more about essential oils and in-depth information about using them, be sure to check out my post, 12 Details You Need to Know Before You Start Using Essential Oils.
Essential Oils for Cleaning
Thieves is one of the most recommended essential oils to clean with. Thieves products replace harsh chemicals with pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils and other naturally derived ingredients. The Young Living Thieves Essential Oil blend contains Clove oil, Cinnamon Bark Oil, Eucalyptus Radiata oil, Rosemary oil, and Lemon oil. Thieves impart a spicy, welcoming aroma everywhere it’s used.
I also like to add citrus essential oil to homemade cleaning products (either Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Lemongrass, or Citrus Fresh) since citrus is proven to kill bacteria and give it an extra clean scent.
15 DIY Cleaning Products that’ll Save You So Much Money
Making homemade cleaning products is easier than you may think. You probably already have all of the below ingredients in your home and if not, they are inexpensive to purchase compared to the cost of those chemical-filled cleaners you think you need.
To get started, here are the main ingredients to making your own cleaning products for a sparkling, clean (and chemical-free) home:
- Vinegar
- Distilled Water
- Castile Soap
- Baking Soda
- Rubbing Alcohol (for a more natural alternative, use Vodka)
- Essential Oils
There you have it. Almost all of these items are household staples that you can pick up at your local grocery store and you can kick those chemical cleaners goodbye!
I use this Castile Soap because it is free of chemicals and I get it super cheap through Grove Collaborative, but you can also find it here.
I only use Young Living Essential Oils from the distributor themselves. My favorite essential oils to use for cleaning are Thieves, Lemon, and Tea Tree. You can learn more about cleaning with essential oils in this post.
NEVER buy Young Living essential oils from Amazon because they are not supposed to be sold via Amazon and you never know what you could be getting. It’s really easy to sign up with Young Living, just go here to get started.
A word of caution from an organizing pro
Less is more. Word of caution: don’t jump to make all 15 replacement recipes below. I personally only store and keep the cleaning products that we use on a regular basis to reduce clutter. Also, many of the recipes listed below are dual-purpose (and noted below) to reduce the need to have 15 different cleaning products.
To give you an idea of the all-natural cleaning products that I use on a regular basis, here is what you will find in my cleaning cabinet (you will find these recipes below as well):
- All-Purpose, All-Natural Thieves Cleaner (16 oz. bottle) – we use this on everything but stainless steel appliances/wood furniture in our home and in the car
- All-Natural Furniture Polish (2 oz. bottle)
- Carpet Cleaner – we use throughout our home and cars as needed
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner (16 oz. bottle)
That’s it! I make every other cleaner on a case-by-case basis and it’s easy enough to do so because we always have the ingredients in our pantry and my free printable cheat sheet (see it below) comes in handy for those recipes we don’t need all the time.
While trying the below alternative solutions, please keep in mind that you should test a part of the item you are attempting to clean to make sure the suggested cleaning solution does not stain or damage the item.
Printable Labels for Your Homemade Cleaning Products
Get the printable labels for 18 different home cleaning products here! Just print, cut, and use packing tape to attach to your containers using the below recipes!
15 Cleaning Products Recipes
Get 14 of the below recipes on one page by downloading the free printable Homemade All-Natural Cleaning Products Cheat Sheet. Get it in my digital resource library here! **Returning subscribers sign in here**
1. Carpet Cleaner
Make this all-natural carpet cleaner or carpet refreshing powder:
Carpet Stain Remover (using essential oils):
- 1 tsp. liquid dishwashing soap
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 2 cups distilled water
- 3 drops of Lavender essential oil
- 2 drops of Tea Tree essential oil
Add everything into a 16 oz. glass spray bottle. Shake before use. Spray mixture on carpet stains, blot with a clean, dry cloth. Repeat as necessary. Do not saturate.
Carpet Refreshing Powder (using essential oils):
- 1 Cup of Baking Soda
- 15 drops of Essential Oil of your choice
Stir soda and oil together. Place everything in a sugar shaker bottle. I sealed the holes on mine with packing tape until it is ready to use. Can be used in your home or car.
2. Windex
Use a reusable window cloth or make this DIY glass cleaner:
Norwex Window Cloth
I’ve been using Norwex window cloths to clean the windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces in my home for several years and their products are amazing! My windows have never looked better! I started with 1 cloth for our entire house then added another to use on our cars. Just add water and wash glass surfaces. Use Norwex soap to clean the cloth, let dry, and reuse it over and over.
DIY Glass Cleaner
- 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol or Vodka
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 12 oz. distilled water
Combine everything into a clean spray bottle. Shake before use. Use a microfiber cloth for streak-free application. Can be used on windows, glass, mirrors, and stainless steel (check appliance manual first for stainless steel cleaning instructions).
3. Wood Furniture Polish
Make this all-natural furniture polish and dusting spray:
All-Natural Furniture Polish (using essential oils)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp. white vinegar
- 10-12 drops of Lemon essential oil
Combine everything into a 2 oz. glass spray bottle. Shake before use. Use a microfiber cloth for streak-free application.
Dusting Spray
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup warm water
Combine everything into a clean spray bottle. Shake before use. Use a microfiber cloth for streak-free application.
4. Granite Cleaner
Make this all-natural granite cleaner or DIY granite wipes:
Homemade Granite Cleaner
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol or Vodka
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 cups warm water
Add contents to a clean spray bottle. Shake before use on granite surfaces. Use a microfiber cloth for streak-free application.
DIY Granite Wipes
- 3/4 cup distilled water
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol or Vodka
- 10 drops of Lemon essential oil
- 10 drops of Thieves essential oil
- 10 drops of Tea Tree essential oil
- 20 thick (dinner) napkins or paper towels
- Large glass container
Combine ingredients (minus napkins) in the glass container. Mix well. Add napkins and shake the glass container until napkins are soaked with the mixture. Use wipes on granite surfaces.
5. Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Make this all-natural toilet bowl cleaner:
All-Natural, Toilet Bowl Cleaner (using essential oils)
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. Tea Tree essential oil
Combine everything into a glass spray bottle. Shake for every use. Spray mixture inside toilet bowl, seat, and lid. Allow sitting for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle baking soda inside the toilet bowl and scrub with a toilet brush. Use a clean cloth to wipe the mixture from the seat and lid.
6. Bathroom Tub Cleaner
Make this all-natural tub cleaner and all-purpose cleaner:
All-Natural Tub Cleaner
- 1/2 cut grapefruit
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
Sprinkle salt directly on grapefruit half and use as a scrubber on the tub.
All-Natural, All-Purpose Cleaner (using essential oils)
- 16 oz of distilled water
- 16 drops of Thieves essential oil
Combine everything into a 16 oz. glass spray bottle. Shake for every use. Can be used in your home (on counters, floors, bathroom). I add lemon essential oil to my all-purpose cleaner for a fresh scent. Use a microfiber cloth for mess-free application.
7. Shower Spray
Make this all-natural, daily shower spray or shower grout cleaner:
DIY Daily Shower Spray (using essential oils)
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol or Vodka
- 15 drops Lime essential oil
- 15 drops Tea Tree essential oils
- 1 and 1/2 cups of water
Combine everything into a glass spray bottle. Shake for every use. Spray on shower door and walls to prevent build-up.
All-Natural Grout Cleaner
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup vinegar
Mix ingredients in a small open container. Use a toothbrush to apply the paste to the grout. Let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing off.
8. Goo-Gone
Make this all-natural goo-gone:
All-Natural Goo Gone
- 1-2 tbsp fractionated coconut oil or almond oil
- Lemon essential oil
Mix ingredients in a 1 oz. glass bottle. Test areas before applying to fabric, etc as the mixture may cause staining. Use a clean rag or your fingers to rub on the sticky area (sticker residue, crayon marks, gums, etc) and wipe away with a clean rag. Repeat as needed.
9. Sanitizing Wipes
Make this all-natural, all-purpose spray or DIY sanitizing wipes:
All-Natural, All-Purpose Cleaner (using essential oils)
- 16 oz of distilled water
- 16 drops of Thieves essential oil
Combine everything into a 16 oz. glass spray bottle. Spray surfaces and wipe away using reusable microfiber cloths.
DIY Sanitizing Wipes
- 3/4 cup distilled water
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 10 drops of Lemon essential oil
- 10 drops of Thieves essential oil
- 10 drops of Tea Tree essential oil
- 20 thick (dinner) napkins or paper towels
- Large glass container
Combine ingredients (minus napkins) in the glass container. Mix well. Add napkins and shake the glass container until napkins are soaked with the mixture. Use wipes on surfaces (do not use on granite).
10. Swiffer Dry Mop
Use a reusable mop kit:
Norwex Mop Kit
I use the Norwex dry mop on my floors instead of a Swiffer dry mop. The Norwex mop is reusable and washable, so I never have to worry about buying those Swiffer dust cloths. Pads are statically charged and will pick up the smallest particles of dirt, dust, pet hair, crumbs, and microparticles. The Norwex mop has 2 sides so once I’m done “dusting,” I flip it over to a wet mop (see #11 for hardwood floor cleaner).
11. Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Use a reusable mop kit or make this all-natural floor sanitizer:
Norwex Mop Kit
The Norwex mop cleans thoroughly with water only, which makes it a wonderful solution if you have hardwood floors that should not be cleaned with harsh chemicals or soap.
All-Natural, All-Purpose Floor Cleaner (using essential oils):
- 1-gallon hot water
- 2 tbsp. pure castile soap
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 10-12 drops of Thieves essential oil
- 5 drops of Purification essential oil
- 5 drops of Lemon essential oils
This solution can be used to sanitize the rest of the home and kid’s toys as well.
12. Stainless Steel Cleaner
Make this all-natural stainless steel cleaner:
All-Natural Stainless Steel Cleaner
- 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol or Vodka
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 12 oz. distilled water
Combine everything into a clean spray bottle. Shake before use. Use a microfiber cloth for streak-free application. Can be used on windows, glass, mirrors, and stainless steel (check appliance manual first for stainless steel cleaning instructions).
13. Armor All Spray (for the car)
Make this all-natural, all-purpose cleaner:
All-Natural, All-Purpose Cleaner
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp castile soap
- 4 tbsp. white vinegar
- warm water
Add contents to a clean, empty spray bottle. Stir/shake to mix well.
All-Natural, All-Purpose Cleaner (using essential oils):
- 16 oz of distilled water
- 16 drops of Thieves essential oil
Combine everything into a 16 oz. glass spray bottle. Shake for every use. Can be used in your home on counters, floors, bathroom, and on the car dashboard, rubber on tires)
14. Car Wash (for the car)
Use this reusable car wash mitt:
Norwex Car Mitt Kit
The Norwex car mitt is two-sided and collects dirt and debris which washes out easily. The car cloth included int the kit puts the final finishing touches on car windows, mirrors, and chrome. It makes washing your car quick and easy.
15. Air Freshener Spray
Make this all-natural linen spray or use an essential oils diffuser:
All-Natural Linen Spray
- Add 10-20 drops of your choice scent essential oil to a 2 oz. glass spray bottle
- Fill the rest of the way with distilled water
- Shake before use. Spray linens (towels, beds, fabric chairs, and sofas).
Alternatively, saturate a cotton ball with your choice scent of essential oils and place it in drawers, closets, and inside toilet paper rolls for a fresh scent.
Essential Oils Diffuser:
- Use a diffuser as directed to freshen any room or car using your choice scent essential oil
Grab my printable cheat sheet with 14 DIY cleaning recipes here and get the printable labels for each of the recipes here!
Wrap up about 15 DIY Natural Cleaning Products
You can make natural cleaning products using ingredients you have at home. It’s a healthy choice too because you’re not breathing in harsh chemicals. See step-by-step instructions here. Use vinegar and baking soda to soften hard water and remove soap scum. No need to buy commercial products with ingredients you can’t pronounce. Try this for yourself, save money, and get healthier all at the same time.
Don’t forget…
WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS
It’s okay if you aren’t entirely sure what essential oils are and their purpose – I didn’t either until 2016, however, I wish I knew about them 20 years ago!
Essential Oils are natural oils extracted from plants and trees. From Young Living’s Website: “Extracted through careful steam distillation, resin tapping, and cold pressing, the purest essential oils are far more powerful than the botanicals from which they come.
Essential oils have enhanced lives for thousands of years, offering a variety of benefits from cosmetic and dietary purposes to spiritual and religious use.”
You can use essential oils topically, inhale them, or ingest them. When applied topically, the oils travel through your bloodstream and every cell in your body in about 20 minutes.
You can inhale essential oils by diffusing them or simply inhaling directly from the bottle. Some oils can be ingested by adding a few drops to beverages, food or in a capsule. I’ve personally experienced major positive health changes by ingesting essential oils after discovering I had an overactive thyroid and Graves Disease.
To learn more about essential oils, check out this post
WHERE TO BUY ESSENTIAL OILS
I only use Young Living essential oils because of the quality and their method of distilling produce the best essential oils available on the market today. In fact, Young Living has a Seed to Seal guarantee that surpasses any other oil company’s guarantee of the quality and purity of their oils. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’d rather pay a little more guaranteed quality oils than paying a little less for cheap oils that may or may not provide the same benefit.
Also, Do Not Buy Young Living Essential Oils from Amazon, eBay or other third-party sites.
The reason I only buy oils directly from Young Living is the same reason I wouldn’t buy a designer handbag from the back of a van on a street corner. It’s probably not the real thing or has been tampered with in some way. You wouldn’t want to apply or ingest an “oil” that someone put something strange in or receive a bottle of “water” instead of oil (trust me, this happens all the time!). Please don’t be the one that gets scammed by buying essential oils anywhere other than Young Living!
Now that that’s out of the way, here are few more facts & benefits that Young Living offers:
- YL offers many membership benefits, including monthly essential oils, rewards programs to earn FREE product
- Young Living is also the only essential oil company that is approved by the FDA with a special line of Vitality oils and products
- YL has 22+ years of experience and is the only oil company that owns its own farms
Signing up to become a Young Living Member is really easy!
Here are quick step-by-step instructions on how to sign up for a Young Living account and a few tips & tricks to get your FREE products!
To try Young Living, go here (keep reading for a special gift from me when you sign up through my link!)
Select to become a Member.
I signed up as a member so I could get the starter kit, the discount, and the option to sell the products later. Since I started using oils in March 2016, I have enjoyed tons of FREE products from being a member.
A Special Gift From Me
If you go through my link to sign up for a Young Living account (as a member), here’s what you get for FREE from me:
- 50 All-Natural Skin Care Solutions Using Essential Oils EBook ($17.97 value)
- Essential Oils Roller Bottle Recipes Cheat Sheet ($2.97 value)
- Printable Labels for 10ml Roller Bottle Labels for Essential Oils – 31 Printable Labels in Pink, Black, & Teal ($4.97 value)
Get everything above ($27.94 value) for FREE when you sign up through my link below! Once you’ve signed up, just send me an email with the subject line “Claiming my oil freebies” and I will send your freebies!
Let me know if you are excited to make these Thieves Cleaning Wipes or if are an essential oils beginner and need more tips. You can reach me through any social media platform or email [email protected].
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Shopping List to Make these Homemade Natural Cleaners:
- Castile Soap
- Borax
- White Distilled Vinegar
- Distilled Water
- Baking Soda
- Cornstarch
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Lemons/Lemon Juice/Lemon Essential Oils
- Grapefruit
- Norwex Antibacterial Microfiber Cloths
- Microfiber Cloths
- Norwex Mop Starter Kit
- Norwex Window Cloth
- 2 oz. glass spray bottles
- 16 oz. glass spray bottles
- Cleaning Checklist
- Essential Oils
Clear the clutter, save your sanity, and remove chemical cleaning products from your home by following this guideline of 15 Cleaning Products You Don’t Need (and what to use instead).
Grab the Free Printable Cheat Sheet!
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12 Details You Need To Know Before You Start Using Essential Oils
GET YOUR ESSENTIAL OILS HERE AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT USING THEM! FOR MORE INFO, SEE MY ESSENTIAL OILS POSTS HERE 🙂
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Hi! I’m wondering why your poopouri spray has alcohol but the linen spray doesn’t?
Hi Roxanne, I’m not sure why a linen spray would need alcohol.