4 Simple Homemade Cleaners

I have been making homemade cleaners for a few years now and I have my favorites. Some are recipes I found along the way and modified while others I created for myself.

One thing I love about homemade cleaners is the cost effectiveness of buying ingredients rather than premade solutions. When you buy a bottle of Vodka, some essential oils and some baking soda you can make several cleaners with those same ingredients for less than it would cost you to buy four or five different use specific cleaners.

The other advantage to homemade cleaners is knowing the ingredients. Notice I didn’t say they are safe. Vodka and some essential oils can be dangerous. Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's 100% safe. But homemade cleaners can be made child-friendly for those little ones who love to help you clean.

Our little guy started helping me clean around age four. He was taught that cleaners are not safe to drink or play with but I don’t worry if he’s washing windows and some homemade window cleaner gets on his hands because the oils and vodka are well diluted.

Here are my five favorite homemade cleaners. Be sure to grab the free printable version of this list. It’s available in color and black and white and will fit nicely taped inside your kitchen cabinet door or pantry door.

Homemade Glass Cleaner

1 Large Spray Bottle
1 ½ Cups Water
¾ Cup Vodka
¾ Cup Distilled White Vinegar
15 Drops of essential oil (nice choices are, tangerine, lemon or sweet orange) This is my new favorite brand.

Combine directly in spray bottle. Shake well before each use. (as in each window or surface you’re cleaning). Oil and water do not mix but then can be shaken together momentarily to spritz out of the bottle.

Homemade Room and Fabric Spray

This recipe is simple and customizable as you can use any essential oil you prefer so long as it's safe for children and pets if their in the home.

1 Fine mist spray bottle

1/2 C Vodka
1 C Water
20 drops Essential Oil(s) of your choice

Combine in the spray bottle, label and shake well before use. You may notice a smell of alcohol when you spray this but alcohol evaporates quickly so you're left with the wonderful aroma of essential oils. Be sure to check your oils for safety. They may smell wonderful but may not be suitable for children or pets. 

Homemade Carpet Deodorizer

1 empty Parmesan cheese container (the shaker kind)
25-35 drops of essential oil (lavender, orange or vanilla or a combination is a great choice)
Baking Soda (enough to fill the shaker)

Mix baking soda and essential oil(s) together in a medium bowl. Be sure to mix well so the oil(s) blend into the baking soda. Transfer to the labeled shaker container.Sprinkle onto carpet and let stand up to 30 minutes then vacuum up as normal.

This also works well in the van when you spill a gallon of raw milk on the way home from the farm. True story.

Homemade Disinfecting Spray

This is the one you pull out when the sickies have struck or when you know the door knobs, remotes, and other grippy surfaces need a good cleansing. The essential oils in this recipe are not for aroma but for the antibacterial and antiviral properties thus, you might not like the smell but we’re more concerned about factors other than aroma here.

1 Spray Bottle
2 Cups Rubbing Alcohol (or Vodka)
10 drops clove essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
7 drops cinnamon bark essential oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops eucalyptus essential oil or fir needle essential oil

Combine directly in the spray bottle, label and shake well before each use. For surfaces such as remote controls and game controller, spray a clean, soft cloth and wipe down. Do not soak the cloth. *Do not use this on baby toys or objects that could go in the mouth.  Not recommended for use with children under the age of two.

Making homemade cleaners is simple and a great way to start building your natural home. And to keep your natural home going, get a printable sheet of these recipes to hang inside your pantry or keep in your kitchen binder.

What's your favorite homemade cleaning recipe? Share it or link to it in the comments.

Bottom image by annca

Get your free printable of these cleaners below:

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