Store-bought cleaners are full of extra chemicals that you might not want in your home. Thankfully, making your own homemade cleaning solutions can be pretty easy. You might even own most of the ingredients already.
Whether you’re prepping for a thorough spring cleaning or just need to tidy up around the house, here are some DIY cleaners you can make to keep your whole home fresh.
Basic Ingredients for DIY Cleaners
One of the reasons DIY cleaning solutions are so great is their simplicity. With a short list of ingredients you can whip up a solution that will help you clean most messes around your house. Here are a few of the most common green cleaning items you’ll need.
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Lemons, oranges, and other citrus fruits
- Olive or vegetable oil
- Water
- Washing soda (e.g., Arm & Hammer)
- Borax
- Castile soap (e.g., Dr. Bronner’s)
You’ll also want to stock up on the containers of your choosing, like mason jars and spray bottles. Once you have your ingredients and containers it’s time to get mixing!
DIY All-Purpose Cleaner
This all-purpose cleaner smells lemony fresh and can even be used on glass. Simply add the ingredients to your spray bottle and shake everything up.
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 2 cups water
DIY Bathroom Cleaner
Bathroom cleaners are usually chock-full of harsh chemicals, like chlorine and bleach (which are what can make your bathroom smell like a clean locker room, which is still a locker room). If you want a less harsh, better smelling solution, try this:
- 1 2/3 cup of baking soda
- 1/2 cup vegetable-oil-based liquid soap
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
Mix it in a spray bottle and use it on tiles, tubs, and toilet surfaces.
Note: If you’re going to use the same sponge for everything, always do the toilet last! But really, you’re better off just using a couple different sponges for different surfaces. Just don’t use the same sponge for the toilet that you use for, well, anything else (thanks, Mom!).
Homemade Laundry Detergent
Making your own laundry detergent is incredibly easy and cheap, so you’re getting the best of both worlds with this recipe. To make your own washing detergent, gather your ingredients:
- 16 cups water (8 boiling, 8 cold)
- 1 cup Borax
- 1 cup Castile soap
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 bucket
First, boil 8 cups of water.
Then, add your Borax and washing soda to your bucket and mix them together.
Then, add your Castile soap and boiling water to the bucket. Be careful while pouring the boiling water to avoid splashing yourself. Then, mix everything together.
Once everything is mixed, add 8 cups of cold water and mix again.
Let the mixture sit until it’s at room temperature. Then, use anywhere from 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup depending on the size of your laundry load.
Bonus Tip: Purchase or Renew Your 2-10 Home Service Plan
Taking care of your home is an important part of happy homeownership. And when important items break down from routine use, a Home Service Plan (aka Home Warranty) from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) can help.
A 2-10 Home Warranty can help you protect your budget and find the right technician when things like your furnace, water heater, or washer/dryer break down.
Plus, your 2-10 Home Warranty gives you access to great perks and programs, like our comprehensive Maintenance Guide and Appliance Discount Program.
