Most store-bought cleaners are expensive and full of ingredients you do not really need. The good news is that you can make a few simple cleaning products at home using common household staples. These mixes are easy to put together, safe to use, and surprisingly effective for everyday cleaning around the house. You might have to scrub a little harder, but they get the job done and cost next to nothing.
Homemade Cleaning Products You Can Easily Make at Home
These simple cleaning products use common household ingredients you likely already have on hand.
All-Purpose Cleaner with Dish Soap
This is the one I reach for the most. I mix 2 cups of water with 2 tablespoons of dish soap in a spray bottle. It works well on countertops, fridge shelves, and painted wood like doorframes or trim.
Stick with a basic grease cutting dish soap like original blue Dawn or an unscented version if you are sensitive to fragrance. Avoid anything too concentrated or labeled for moisturizing since those can leave a residue behind.
If you are cleaning up something greasy or sticky, this usually does the trick. Just make sure to rinse your cloth often and go over the area one more time with a damp rag to wipe away any leftover soap.
Scrub Paste with Baking Soda
This one comes in handy any time I need to scrub something without scratching it. I mix 3 parts warm water with 1 part baking soda until it forms a paste. It works well on stovetops, inside the oven, or anywhere you are dealing with dried on messes.
In the bathroom, I mix a little dish soap into the paste and use it to clean around the sink or inside the tub. It has just enough grit to help without damaging the surface.
This paste works best when made fresh, since it tends to dry out if you try to store it.
Vinegar or Lemon Juice for Shine and Buildup
White vinegar is great for breaking down buildup and leaving things streak free. I mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and use it on mirrors, windows, and sealed wood floors. It is simple, cheap, and gets the job done.
Lemon juice works in a similar way, and I use it when I want something with a fresher scent. For faucet buildup, I soak a paper towel in either lemon juice or vinegar and wrap it around the base. After a few hours, the mineral deposits wipe right off.
Avoid using vinegar or lemon juice on natural stone like marble or granite, since the acid can dull the finish or cause damage over time.
How to Store Homemade Cleaners
If you are making any of these ahead of time, make sure to store them the right way. I use clean spray bottles and label them so I know what is inside. Keep them out of direct sunlight, especially anything with vinegar or lemon juice, since the light can break them down over time.
Avoid metal containers for anything acidic. Vinegar and lemon juice can eat away at metal and cause rust. If you are reusing an old bottle, rinse it out really well so nothing mixes with whatever was in there before.
The baking soda paste is better when it is fresh, but if you want to make some in advance, store it in an airtight container. Just add a little water before using it again to loosen it up.
What These Cleaners Can (and Can’t) Do
These homemade cleaners are great for everyday messes. I use them to wipe down the counter, scrub the stove, and clean mirrors or faucets. They are simple, safe, and easy to make with stuff you already have.
What they will not do is disinfect, kill mold, or cut through heavy grease that has been sitting for a while. These are not meant to replace strong cleaners when something really needs deep cleaning. I still keep a few store-bought products on hand for that kind of job.
For regular cleaning though, these are more than enough. They help keep things under control so those bigger jobs do not build up in the first place.
Using Simple Homemade Cleaning Products
You do not need a shelf full of cleaning products to keep your home in good shape. These three simple mixes cover most of what I clean day to day, and they cost next to nothing. They are easy to make, easy to use, and a good way to cut down on the number of bottles under the sink. Give one a try the next time you run out of something and see how far the basics can actually go.
