DIY Natural Cleaners

Why DIY Natural Cleaners?

In today's world, many people are looking for ways to live a more eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle. One area where you can make a significant impact is in your cleaning routine. Commercial cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your health and the environment. DIY natural cleaners offer a safe, effective, and affordable alternative. By making your own cleaners, you can control the ingredients, reduce your exposure to toxins, and minimize your environmental footprint. Plus, it's often cheaper than buying store-bought cleaners!

The Powerhouse Ingredients: Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Essential Oils

Many DIY natural cleaner recipes rely on a few key ingredients that are readily available and have proven cleaning properties:

• Vinegar: A mild acid that's effective at cutting through grease, removing hard water stains, and killing some bacteria. Distilled white vinegar is the most commonly used type for cleaning due to its acidity and lack of color, which prevents staining. It has been used for cleaning for centuries and has proven antibacterial properties [15]. However, it is important to note that vinegar may not be effective against all pathogens and is not registered as a disinfectant by the EPA [10].
• Baking Soda: A mild abrasive and deodorizer. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, can be used to scrub surfaces, absorb odors, and even brighten teeth [16, 19]. Research indicates that baking soda-based dentifrices are effective at removing stains and whitening teeth [19, 22]. It's also effective in eliminating garbage smells [16].
• Essential Oils: Provide a natural fragrance and can offer additional cleaning benefits, such as antibacterial and antifungal properties [7, 8]. Some popular choices for cleaning include lemon, tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus [4, 7].

Essential Oils: Not Just for Fragrance

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that offer a range of cleaning and deodorizing properties [4, 7]. When choosing essential oils for your DIY cleaners, consider the following:

• Lemon: Known for its antibacterial properties and ability to cut through grease and grime [7, 8].
• Tea Tree: A potent disinfectant with antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, making it excellent for bathrooms and high-traffic areas [8, 9].
• Lavender: Offers antibacterial properties and a calming scent, ideal for general cleaning and freshening fabrics [7, 8, 9].
• Eucalyptus: Has antibacterial properties and a refreshing scent, perfect for cleaning surfaces and freshening the air [4, 7].

Important Note: Always dilute essential oils properly and use them with caution around children and pets [4]. Some essential oils are not safe for pets if ingested [4]. Store essential oils properly in a cool, dark place [4].

DIY Recipes for a Sparkling Home

Here are some practical and effective DIY natural cleaner recipes you can try at home:

All-Purpose Cleaner

This cleaner is suitable for most surfaces, including countertops, sinks, and appliances.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 part white vinegar
  • 1 part water
  • 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil (lemon, lavender, or tea tree work well)
• Instructions:
  1. Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle.
  2. Shake well before each use.
  3. Spray on surfaces and wipe clean with a cloth.
• Tips: Infuse vinegar with lemon or orange rinds for a more pleasant scent [3].

Glass and Mirror Cleaner

Achieve streak-free shine on windows and mirrors with this simple recipe [3, 18].

• Ingredients:
  • ¹⁄₄ cup white vinegar
  • ¹⁄₄ cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 cups water
  • 8-10 drops essential oil (optional) [17]
• Instructions:
  1. Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle.
  2. Shake well before each use.
  3. Spray on glass or mirrors and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

A natural way to keep your toilet clean and fresh [3, 14].

• Ingredients:
  • ¹⁄₄ cup baking soda
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 10 drops essential oil (optional)
• Instructions:
  1. Pour baking soda into the toilet bowl.
  2. Add essential oils to the baking soda, if desired.
  3. Pour vinegar into the bowl.
  4. Let it fizz for 3-30 minutes.
  5. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush.

Oven Cleaner

Clean your oven without harsh chemicals [17].

• Ingredients:
  • ¹⁄₂ cup baking soda
  • 2-3 Tbsp water
  • White vinegar
• Instructions:
  1. Mix baking soda and water to form a paste.
  2. Spread the paste all over the oven walls.
  3. Let it sit overnight.
  4. Spritz vinegar over the baking soda paste.
  5. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Laundry Detergent

Make your own laundry detergent to save money and reduce exposure to harsh chemicals [14, 18].

• Ingredients:
  • 1 bar laundry soap (e.g., Fels-Naptha, Zote, or Castile soap), grated
  • 1 cup borax
  • 1 cup washing soda
  • 1 cup oxygen bleach (optional, for extra whitening) [18]
• Instructions:
  1. Combine all ingredients in a container.
  2. Use 1-2 tablespoons per load.
• Note: Safe for HE (high-efficiency) washers as it doesn't produce excessive suds [14].

Important Considerations

• Not a Disinfectant: Although vinegar and other ingredients possess antibacterial properties, DIY cleaners might not meet the stringent requirements to be considered disinfectants [5, 6, 10, 15]. For situations requiring strong disinfection, consider using EPA-approved disinfectants.
• Allergy Warning: Although green cleaners are gentler, they should not be consumed [2].
• Safe Storage: Always store your DIY cleaners in properly labeled containers and out of reach of children and pets.
• Test First: Before applying any cleaner to a large surface, test it on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn't cause discoloration or damage.

Next Steps: Embrace the Natural Cleaning Revolution

Switching to DIY natural cleaners is a simple yet powerful way to improve your health, protect the environment, and save money. Start by trying one or two of these recipes and gradually replace your store-bought cleaners with homemade versions. With a little experimentation, you can create a customized cleaning routine that works for you and your family. Embrace the natural cleaning revolution and enjoy a cleaner, healthier home!

References

1. Wellness Mama. DIY Natural All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe. https://www.wellnessmama.com/recipes/all-purpose-cleaner/
2. Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Clean and Green Homemade Cleaners. https://www.uaex.uada.edu/life-skills-wellness/health/food-safety/clean-and-green-homemade-cleaners.aspx
3. 20 DIY Natural Cleaning Recipes for Chemical-free Products (+ Tips). https://www.lyndadening.com/natural-cleaning-recipes/
4. Essential Oils in Cleaning - Benefits and How to Use Them. https://www.youngliving.com/blog/essential-oils-in-cleaning-benefits-and-how-to-use-them
5. Bhatti, G. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Vinegar as a Sanitizer. The BCIT cIRcuit. 2016-04-14. https://commons.bcit.ca/ concerns/2016/04/14/evaluating-the-effectiveness-of-vinegar-as-a-sanitizer/
6. Bhatti, G. Evaluating the effectiveness of vinegar as a sanitizer. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301616943_Evaluating_the_effectiveness_of_vinegar_as_a_sanitizer
7. The Power of Essential Oils in Cleaning: Natural Solutions for a Fresh Home. 2025-04-03. https://singingtreegardens.com/blogs/news/the-power-of-essential-oils-in-cleaning-natural-solutions-for-a-fresh-home
8. Lavender & Lemon. The Power of Cleaning Products with Essential Oils. 2024-10-21. https://lavenderandlemon.com/blogs/news/the-power-of-cleaning-products-with-essential-oils
9. Sleigh Family Chiropractic. Using Essential Oils to Make Effective Nontoxic Cleaner. https://sleighfamilychiropractic.com/2017/10/12/using-essential-oils-to-make-effective-nontoxic-cleaner/
10. HOCl Hub. Does Vinegar Disinfect? Here's What Science Says. 2025-01-16. https://hoclhub.com/blogs/news/does-vinegar-disinfect-heres-what-science-says
11. Toledo Lucas County Public Library. DIY Natural Household Cleaning Product Recipes. https://www.toledolibrary.org/blog/diy-natural-cleaning-products
12. Oil Garden. 6 of the Best Essential Oils for Cleaning. 2024-05-02. https://www.oilgarden.com.au/blogs/og/6-of-the-best-essential-oils-for-cleaning
13. CLEANING WITH VINEGAR. https://www.versatilevinegar.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Cleaning-With-Vinegar-1.pdf
14. Sage Cleaner. 11 DIY Natural Cleaning Recipes For Your Home. 2024-09-06. https://sagecleaner.com/blogs/news/11-diy-natural-cleaning-recipes-for-your-home
15. David Suzuki Foundation. Does vinegar kill germs?. https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/does-vinegar-kill-germs/
16. Healthline. 22 Benefits and Uses of Baking Soda. 2025-05-01. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/baking-soda-uses
17. Keeper of the Home. The Ultimate Guide to Homemade All-Natural Cleaning Recipes. 2017-01-16. https://keeperofthehome.org/homemade-all-natural-cleaning-recipes/
18. 11 Homemade Cleaners to Make with Ingredients from Your Pantry. 2024-03-20. https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/homemade-cleaners/
19. Stain removal and whitening by baking soda dentifrice: A review of literature - PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28245957/
20. Toledo Lucas County Public Library. DIY Natural Cleaning Products. 2017-06-19. https://www.toledolibrary.org/blog/diy-natural-cleaning-products
21. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BAKING SODA (Sodium Bicarbonate) 20%, 40%, AND 60% ON TEETH THAT HAVE COFFEE STAIN - ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358730596_THE_EFFECTIVENESS_OF_BAKING_SODA_Sodium_Bicarbonate_20_40_AND_60_ON_TEETH_THAT_HAVE_COFFEE_STAIN
22. Enhancement of plaque removal efficacy by tooth brushing with baking soda dentifrices: Results of five clinical studies - ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232244306_Enhancement_of_plaque_removal_efficacy_by_tooth_brushing_with_baking_soda_dentifrices_Results_of_five_clinical_studies
23. Baking Soda and the Skin: A Review of Baking Soda in Dermatology. 2024-08-29. https://www.jidad.org/article/S2666-3223(24)00029-X/fulltext