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Homemade Cleaning Products

Natural Recipes You Can Actually Make at Home

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Homemade Cleaning Products: Natural Recipes That Actually Work

Published February 4, 2026 | 11 min read

I've been making my own cleaning products for years, and I'll be honest: I didn't start for environmental reasons. I started because commercial cleaners are expensive and the strong chemical smell gives me headaches. Now I make them because they work, they're better for my family and our home, and they cost pennies on the dollar compared to store-bought products. Plus, there's something satisfying about knowing exactly what's going into your cleaning products.

Why Make Your Own Cleaning Products?

  • Cost: You probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry. Making a batch costs less than a cup of coffee.
  • Safety: No toxic chemicals, so it's safer to use around kids and pets.
  • Scent: Add essential oils for a fresh smell instead of chemical fragrance.
  • Effectiveness: These recipes work as well as commercial products, I promise.
  • Sustainability: Fewer plastic bottles, fewer chemicals in the water system.

Essential Ingredients You'll Need

Stock your cleaning cupboard with these basics, and you can make almost any cleaner:

  • White vinegar: A natural deodorizer and disinfectant. Buy the cheapest option.
  • Baking soda: A gentle abrasive that's amazing for scrubbing and deodorizing.
  • Dish soap: Just a tiny amount goes a long way.
  • Water: Tap water is fine.
  • Essential oils (optional): For scent. Lemon, lavender, and eucalyptus are my favorites for cleaning.
  • Castile soap: A plant-based soap that's gentle but effective. Dr. Bronner's is the most common brand.

That's it. Everything else is just variations on these basics.

The Recipes

1. All-Purpose Cleaner

This is my most-used cleaning product. I spray it on counters, wipe down appliances, and even clean bathroom surfaces with it. It's gentle enough for daily use but effective enough for tough jobs.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dish soap
  • 10 drops lemon essential oil (optional, but makes it smell amazing)

Instructions

  1. Pour water into a spray bottle.
  2. Add vinegar and dish soap.
  3. Add essential oil if using.
  4. Shake well before each use.
  5. Spray on surfaces and wipe with a cloth.

2. Bathroom Cleaner with Scrubbing Power

This one tackles soap scum, hard water stains, and bathroom grime without any harsh chemicals. The baking soda provides gentle scrubbing power.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup dish soap
  • 10 drops of your favorite essential oil
  • Water as needed to create a paste

Instructions

  1. Mix baking soda and vinegar together. It will fizz—that's normal and means it's working.
  2. Add dish soap and essential oil.
  3. Add water, a little at a time, until you reach a spreadable paste consistency.
  4. Apply to bathroom surfaces, let sit for 5-10 minutes, then scrub with a sponge or cloth.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water.

This works great on: bathtub rings, shower doors, tile grout, and bathroom tiles.

3. Glass and Window Cleaner

This creates streak-free windows and mirrors without the chemical smell of commercial window cleaners. The rubbing alcohol helps it dry quickly and prevents streaking.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol (optional but helps prevent streaks)
  • 1-2 drops dish soap

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle.
  2. Shake well.
  3. Spray on glass or mirrors.
  4. Wipe with newspaper, coffee filters, or a microfiber cloth for best results (paper towels can leave lint).
  5. Buff dry for a streak-free shine.
Pro tip: Use crumpled newspaper instead of paper towels. It's a throwback, but it actually works better and produces fewer streaks.

4. Tub and Tile Scrub

For harder cleaning jobs, this paste cuts through soap scum, mold, and mildew without toxic chemicals. The baking soda and salt provide scrubbing action, and the vinegar helps break down buildup.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1/4 cup salt (provides extra scrubbing action)
  • 1/4 cup dish soap
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 10-15 drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil (antimicrobial)

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl to create a thick paste.
  2. Apply generously to tub, tile, or grout.
  3. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Scrub vigorously with a brush or sponge.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with water.

5. Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Clean toilets without the strong chemical smell. Baking soda naturally deodorizes, and vinegar is antibacterial.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 10 drops peppermint or lemon essential oil

Instructions

  1. Pour baking soda directly into the toilet bowl.
  2. Slowly pour the vinegar in. It will fizz—just let it.
  3. Add essential oil.
  4. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes.
  5. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush.

6. Floor Cleaner

This works on both hard floors and tile. It's gentle enough for daily cleaning but effective enough for stuck-on messes.

Ingredients

  • 1 gallon warm water
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup castile soap
  • 10-15 drops essential oil (lemon and lavender are great for floors)

Instructions

  1. Fill a bucket with the warm water.
  2. Add vinegar, castile soap, and essential oil.
  3. Stir well.
  4. Mop your floors as usual.
  5. The vinegar smell dissipates as the floor dries.

7. Kitchen Degreaser

For stovetops and other greasy messes, this is strong but non-toxic.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup castile soap
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 10 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions

  1. Mix vinegar, castile soap, and warm water in a spray bottle.
  2. Add baking soda slowly (it will fizz).
  3. Add essential oil.
  4. Shake well before each use.
  5. Spray on greasy surfaces, let sit a few minutes, then scrub and wipe clean.

Storage and Safety Tips

  • Label everything: Use a marker to clearly label each cleaner with its contents and date made.
  • Store safely: Keep cleaning products in a cool, dark place, away from children and pets.
  • Use glass bottles: Vinegar and citric acid can break down plastic over time. Glass spray bottles are ideal.
  • Never mix bleach: If you're switching from commercial cleaners to homemade, make sure you've thoroughly cleaned surfaces with water first. Never mix bleach with vinegar or any other product.
  • Open windows: Even though these are natural, ventilate your space while cleaning, especially in bathrooms.
  • Test first: Always test on a small, inconspicuous area before using on delicate surfaces like natural stone or wood.

🧼 Supplies for DIY Cleaners

Everything you need to make the recipes above. Affiliate links help support this site.

Glass Spray Bottles (16oz, 3-Pack)

Essential for homemade cleaners. Glass doesn't react with vinegar or essential oils like plastic can.

Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap (32oz)

The base for the floor cleaner and degreaser. One bottle lasts months since you dilute it.

Essential Oils Starter Set (Top 6)

Tea tree, lavender, and lemon are the three I use most in cleaning recipes. This set covers all the basics.

The Bottom Line

Making your own cleaning products is easier than you think and saves money while reducing your exposure to harsh chemicals. Start with the all-purpose cleaner and the bathroom cleaner—those two cover about 80% of your cleaning needs. Once you feel comfortable, try the others. You might find you never go back to commercial cleaners again.

What's your favorite homemade cleaning product? Have you tried any of these recipes? Tell me in the comments below or email me at hello@jenscorner.com. I'd love to hear what works best in your home!