This is my go-to list of DIY household cleaning recipes. These recipes will help you clean your whole house (kitchen, bathroom,floors, laundry and much more) with very few ingredients.
Here are the ingredients that you will need for DIY Cleaning. It’s a good idea to always have them in your pantry.
- baking soda
- white vinegar
- dish soap
- hydrogen peroxide
- essential oils (lavender, lemon, orange, mint, pine, etc.)
- borax
- Castile soap
- alcohol
- citrus
- spray bottles, mason jars, squeeze bottles, labels
Why are DIY cleaners so much better than store-bought cleaning products?
- MUCH cheaper
- just as effective
- chemical-free
- environment-friendly
- safer for children and pets
- easy to make
- customizable – you can add your favorite scents to your cleaners!
Bathroom
Shower Cleaner
1/4 cup water vinegar + 1 cup water
Tub, Tile, and Grout Cleaner
1/2 cup baking soda + 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide +1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
Mix and add to a bottle. Squeeze onto affected area. Allow to sit for 10 minutes and rinse off with water and a sponge. For tough stains, apply it twice.
Hard Water Stain Remover
1 cup Epsom salts + 1/2 cup baking soda +1/4 cup liquid dish soap
Mix and rub onto tiles, spouts or shower doors with a cloth. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Rinse with warm water and wipe dry with a towel.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
1/2 cup baking soda + 1/4 cup castile soap + 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
+ 1 cup hot water + 1/4 cup vinegar
Tutorial here
Toilet Bombs
baking soda + citric acid + essential oils
Tutorial here
Odor Eliminating Toilet Fizz Bombs
2 cups baking soda + 1/2 cup citric acid + 2 tbsp of hydrogen peroxide + 1 tsp of white vinegar + 30 drops essential oils
Tutorial here
Unclogging Toilet Bombs
2 cups baking soda + 1/4 cup Epsom salts + 1/2 cup liquid dish soap
Tutorial here
Heavy Duty Toilet Cleaner
3/4 cup borax + 1 cup white vinegar + essential oil
Scrub with a toilet bowl brush and let sit overnight
Antibacterial Toilet Cleaner
1/2 cup baking soda + 1 cup distilled white vinegar + 1/2 tsp tea tree essential oil
Spray in bowl and on the toilet seat, lid, and handle. Let sit for 15 minutes and wipe dry with a cloth.
Toilet Draino
1 cup of baking soda + 1 gallon of boiling water + 2 cups of vinegar
Add baking soda and water into the toilet bowl and then slowly add the vinegar. Let sit overnight or until it flushes
Toilet Draino Method #2
1/2 cup dish soap +1 gallon hot water
Pour soap into toilet and let sit 30 minutes. Then pour in the hot water and it should flush after that!
All-In-One Bathroom Cleaner
2 cups warm water + 1 tbsp baking soda + 2 tbsp castile soap + essential oils
Tutorial here
Bathtub Scrub
1 tsp liquid soap + 1 cup baking soda + essential oil
Mix and scrub onto the tub with a sponge
Air Freshener
1/2 cup baking soda + 10 drops essential oil
Add to a small decorative jar and place in a small room like the bathroom or cat litter closet to make it smell nice.
Air Freshener #2
1/4 cup vodka + 1 tbsp water + 20 drops essential oil
Mold and Mildew Spray
1/2 cup water + 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar + 20 drops tea tree oil
Mirror Spray
1/2 cup vinegar + 1/4 cup isopropyl rubbing alcohol + 1 1/2 cups water
3-Ingredient Coconut Oil Hand Soap
1/4 cup shaved soap + 4 cups boiling water +1 tablespoon coconut oil
Grate soap. Mix ingredients until dissolved. Let mixture cool. Pour into bottle.
Poo Spray
vegetable glycerine + rubbing alcohol + distilled water
Tutorial here
Daily Shower Cleaner Spray
1.5 cups water + 1 cup white vinegar + 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol + 1 tsp liquid dish soap + 15 drops essential oil
Homemade Soft Scrub
1 cup baking soda + 1/4 cup castile soap + 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide
Mix until thick. Apply with cloth. Let sit for 5 minutes. Wipe away.
Living Room and Bedroom
Hardwood Floor Cleaner
1/2 white vinegar + 1 gallon warm water + 2 drops lemon essence oil
Laminate Floor Cleaner
1/2 cup white vinegar +1/2 cup rubbing alcohol + 1/2 cup water
Dry Carpet Cleaner
2 cups baking soda + 1/2 cup cornstarch + 1/2 cup cornmeal + 4 bay leaves +1 tbsp whole cloves
Tutorial here
Carpet Cleaner
1 tsp dish washing liquid + 1 tbsp white vinegar + 1 cup warm water + 1 tsp baking soda
Add ingredients to a spray bottle. Add baking soda last and quickly screw the lid on. Spray onto carpet and rub into carpet with a sponge.
Carpet and Rug Deodorizer
1 cup baking soda + 20 drops tea tree oil
Sprinkle over carpet. Let sit 30 minutes and vacuum it up.
Carpet Stain Remover
3/4 cup hydrogen peroxide + 2 tsp baking soda + 2 tsp dish soap
Scrub into carpet with a sponge or cloth until stain is gone.
Homemade Pine-Sol
1 tbsp liquid castile soap + 4 cups warm water + 10 pine essential oil
Mix and pour into a spray bottle with a funnel. Shake and start spraying.
Furniture Polish
3/4 cup olive oil + 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar + 1 tsp lemon juice
Mix ingredient and shake up. Apply to a cloth and rub onto wood furniture to polish.
Glass Cleaner
1 Cup White Vinegar + 1 Cup Water
Glass Cleaner Method #2
1 quart water + 1 drop of dish soap
Add to spray bottle. Spray and wipe clean.
Steam Cleaner Solution
2 cups vinegar + 1 cup hydrogen peroxide + 2 tbsp clear dish soap
Mix well and add to the hot water in the steam cleaner.
Mattress Deodorizer
1 cup baking soda + 10 drops lavender essential oils
Add to shaker and shake to mix ingredients. Sprinkle onto mattress. Let sit for 30 minutes. Vacuum up.
Brass Cleaner
white vinegar + table salt
Pour enough vinegar on a sponge to absorb and sprinkle with salt.
Gently rub over surface. Rinse clean with washer and dry with a soft cloth.
Wall Cleaning Solution
1/4 cup white vinegar + 4 cups warm water
Mix and apply with a cloth and rub on walls.
Wood Panel Cleaning
1/4 cup olive oil + 3 tbsp white vinegar + 4 cups warm water
Mix and apply with a cloth and rub on walls.
Kitchen
Heavy Duty Kitchen Scrub
1/4 cup baking soda + 3 drops water + 1/4 cup dish soap
Grease Cleaner
1 3/4 cups distilled water + 2 tbsp castile soap + 20 drops essential oil (optional)
Tutorial here
Dish Soap
2 1/2 cups boiling water + 1 tbsp Borax +1 tbsp washing soda + 2 tbsp white distilled vinegar + 1/2 cup liquid castile soap + 10 drops essential oil (optional)
Tutorial here
Metal Pot and Pan Cleaner
1/2 cup baking soda + 1 tsp liquid dish soap + 2 tbsp hydrogen peroxide
Spread the paste onto your pot or pan and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then scrub with a brush and rinse until clean.
Dishwasher Tablets
1 cup baking soda + 1/4 cup citric acid + 1 tbsp dish liquid
Tutorial here
Dishwasher Bombs
2 cups baking soda + 3 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 10 drops essential oil + 2 cups vinegar + 1 tbsp dish detergent
Tutorial here
Fresh Lemon Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
lemon + water + white vinegar + salt
Tutorial here
Dishwasher Rinse Aid
vinegar + small cup
Tutorial here
Dish Soak Fizzies
1 cup baking soda + 1/2 cup salt + 1/2 cup citric acid + 2 tbsp dish soap
Tutorial here
Microwave Cleaner
water + bowl + citrus
Tutorial here
All Purpose Cleaner
2 cups water + 1/2 cup white vinegar + 1 tsp dish soap +1 tbsp baking soda
Add to a spray bottle and apply to surfaces. Then wipe clean with a cloth.
Scouring Powder
1 cup baking soda + 1/2 cup salt + 1/2 cup borax
Sprinkle the scouring powder on a wet surface. Let it stay on for 5 minutes then scrub clean.
Drain Cleaner
1/2 cup baking soda + 1/2 cup white vinegar + 1 cup boiling water
Tutorial here
Disinfectant
1 cup water + 1 cup rubbing alcohol
Put ingredients in a bottle and shake. Spray surface after cleaning.
Garbage Disposal Refreshers
3/4 cup baking soda + 1/2 cup salt + 1/2 teaspoon liquid dish soap + 1 lemon
Tutorial here
Stove Cleaner
1 tbsp table salt + 1 tbsp baking soda + 1 tbsp water
Scrub onto surface with a cloth.
Stainless Steel Cleaner
vinegar + olive oil + water
Tutorial here
Oven Cleaner
1/2 cup of baking soda + 3 tbsp of water + white vinegar
Mix and spread onto dirty and greasy spots in the oven. Let sit overnight.
Wipe off with a dish cloth. Spray with vinegar then wipe the remaining foam away.
Oven Rack Cleaner
dollar store dryer sheets + dish soap
Tutorial here
Rust Remover
1/2 cup Borax + 3 tbsp lemon juice
Mix until a paste is formed and spread onto rusty area. Let sit at least for 30 minutes. Use a brush to scrub the paste.
Granite Countertop Cleaner
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol + 2 cups water + 8 drops dish soap
Pour into spray bottle. Shake the bottle to mix and start spraying.
Fridge Cleaner Spray
1/2 cup white vinegar + 1 cup hot water + 3 drops essential oil
Wood Cutting Board Cleaner
1/2 lemon + coarse salt
Sprinkle cutting board with salt. Scour the board with lemon. Let sit for 5 minutes. Scrap off and rinse with water.
Degreaser
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar + 1/2 cup water + 1 tbsp dish soap
Homemade 409
2 tbsp. distilled white vinegar + 1 tsp. borax + 1/8 cup dish soap + 1 cup hot water
Tutorial here
Keurig Cleaning Solution
water + white vinegar
Tutorial here
Miscellaneous
Cleaning Wipes
1/2 cup lemon juice + 1/2 cup water + 1 cup vinegar +1 tbsp rubbing alcohol + 1 tsp baking soda + 1 tsp Dr. Bronner’s soap + paper towels
Tutorial here
2 Ingredient Leather Cleaner
olive oil + vinegar
Tutorial here
Eyeglass Cleaner
1 part water + 1 part isopropyl alcohol
Fill a spray bottle with ingredients, shake and spray onto glasses. Wipe off with a microfiber cloth.
Citrus Spray Cleaner
2 cups lemon peels and orange peels + 2 cups white vinegar
Tutorial here
Goo Gone
2 tbsp vegetable oil + 3 tbsp baking soda
Mix until a paste is formed and apply on a sticky surface to remove the residue. Wipe away with a cloth.
Upholstery Cleaner
3 tbsp dish soap + 1 tbsp Borax + 1 cup boiling water
Mix. Let cool. Pour into a spray bottle. Spray onto a cloth and wipe down upholstery.
Dusting Spray
1 cup water + 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar + 2 tablespoons olive oil + 10-15 drops essential oil
Laundry
Washing Soda
Bake 1 cup baking soda in the oven
Tutorial here
Dry Laundry Booster
2 cups washing soda + 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
Tutorial here
Stain Remover
1 tbsp dish-washing liquid + 1 tbsp baking soda + 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide
Mix and apply to stained area with a toothbrush
Laundry Detergent
1/2 cup washing soda + 1/4 cup Borax + 1 cup boiling water + 1 tbsp castile soap + 1/4 cup white vinegar
Tutorial here
Chemical Free Liquid Laundry Detergent
2 gallons water + 1/2 cup washing soda + 1/2 cup baking soda + 3/4 cup castile soap + 30 drops essential oils
Tutorial here
Premium Laundry Detergent
4 lbs Baking Soda + Washing Soda + 1 box Borax + 1 box of BIZ + 4 bars of Zote Soap + Purex Crystals
Tutorial here
“Pennies Per Load” Laundry Detergent
65 oz box Borax + 55 oz box Washing Soda + 1 Fels Naptha Laundry Bar + 18 oz container Purex Crystals
Tutorial here
Powder Laundry Detergent (HE safe)
1 cup. Fels Naptha + 1 cup baking soda + 1 cup borax + 1 cup washing soda
Grate soap. Mix. Add 2 tbsp per load of laundry.
Laundry Pods
laundry bar soap + super washing soda + Borax + OxiClean + vinegar
Tutorial here
Laundry Bombs
1 1/2 cup washing soda + 1/2 cup Fels-Naptha + 2 tbsp Epsom salts +
3 tbsp hydrogen peroxide + 1/4 cup vinegar + 15 drops essential oil
Tutorial here
Fabric Softener
2 cups distilled white vinegar + 10 drops essential oil + fresh herbs (rosemary, mint, etc)
Add 1/4 cup to your fabric softener dispenser per load of laundry
Wool Dryer Ball
100% wool yarn + pair of pantyhose + embroidery floss
Tutorial here
Reusable Lavender Laundry Sponges
2 cups of water + 2 cups of liquid lavender fabric softener
Tutorial here
Homemade Oxy-Clean
1 cup water + 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide + 1/2 baking soda
Mix ingredients and use 2 tablespoons per load
Reusable Dryer Sheets
3/4 cup white vinegar + 1/4 cup water + 3-4 drops essential oil
Tutorial here
Homemade Febreze
1 cup fabric softener + 1 cup white vinegar + 2 cups water
1/4 Cup of Downy Unstopables – You can use less but I had some nasty odors lingering
Homemade Febreze (without fabric softener)
4 tbsp baking soda + 1 cup hot water + 1/4 cup Downy Unstopables
Tutorial here
Laundry Scent Booster
2 cups epsom salt + essential oils
Tutorial here
Bleach Alternative
12 cups water + 1/4 cup lemon juice + 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
Use 2 cups of this solution per wash load.
Oxygen Bleach
2 cups water + 1 cup baking soda + 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
Lavender Linen Spray
vodka + lavender essential oil + water
Tutorial here
Wrinkle Release Spray
1 tsp conditioner + 1 tbsp white vinegar + 2 cups water
Tutorial here
Pet
Flea Powder
1 cup food grade diatomaceous earth + 1/2 cup neem powder + 1/2 cup yarrow powder
Tutorial here
Pet Stain Remover for Carpets
2 cups white distilled vinegar + 2 cups of lukewarm water + 4 rounded tbsp of baking soda
Thoroughly spray onto affected area. Let sit for 5 minutes, then gently rub with a cloth.
Homemade Cleaner for Pet Urine Odors
1 cup peroxide + 2 tbsp ammonia
Spray area throughly. Use a sponge or cloth to rub into carpet. Blot dry.
Deodorizing Cat Litter
Sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the bottom of the litter box before pouring in cat litter
Paula Brown says
HI,
I am looking at the recipe for toilet bowl cleaner. Castile soap looks pretty pricey and I am coming up with a greater price per use than with inexpensive commercial cleaner.
Any help/thoughts?
Thanks
prudentpennypincher.com says
Hi,
Yes, buying Castile soap especially name brand can be expensive. You can make your own with bar soap, which is much cheaper. Here is a tutorial for how to do that. You can also get a generic brand in bulk to save money as well.
Jessie says
I use a 50/50 concoction of dawn and vinegar in a spray bottle. I find it easiest to effectively clean a toilet bowl by evacuating the water from the bowl first (by rythmically pushing the toilet wand into the drain over and over until almost all of the water has been pushed over the bend in the pipe. Once you get used to it, it takes less than a minute). Once the water is drained, spray thoroughly, wait a few minutes, then scrub as usual. Works great, you use less than the commercial stuff, and extremely cheap!!