DIY Natural Cleaning Products

DIY Natural Cleaning Products: Recipes for a Chemical-Free Home

Hey there! Phil here. I recently moved into my first solo home, and I was excited to finally have my own space, but quickly realized just how much cleaning was involved in keeping an abode looking fresh.

I started off just buying whatever cleaners were on sale at the grocery store. But after a few months, I noticed some concerning things. First, those chemical-filled products were getting expensive fast. Secondly, they made my tiny apartment reek of really strong, synthetic smells that triggered headaches and made my eyes water. Worst of all, I read that many common household cleaners contain toxic ingredients that could be harmful to my health and the environment over time.

That's when I decided to go a more natural, homemade route for my cleaning supplies. Not only are DIY cleaning products ridiculously cheap and eco-friendly, but you can customize them with pure essential oils for a fresh, natural scent. Best of all, you avoid exposing yourself to nasty chemicals just to get your place clean. Let me share some of my go-to recipes and experiences with making my own cleaning products!

The Two Ingredients That Clean Almost Everything

The backbones of practically every one of my natural cleaning concoctions are white vinegar and baking soda. This powerful duo cuts through grease, soap scum, hard water stains, you name it. And they're completely non-toxic and safe, even if a child or pet gets into them accidentally.

I always have a big jug of vinegar and box of baking soda on hand. With those two ingredients, you can make effective all-purpose cleaners, scouring powders, drain openers, oven cleaners, and tons more. The vinegar is great for surfaces, while the baking soda is an awesome abrasive scrub. Combined, they create a fizzy chemical reaction that breaks down stubborn buildup.

My Favorite All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe

This is probably the one I use most around my apartment. It cuts through grease on countertops and stovetops, easily wipes away toothpaste or soap residue in the bathroom, and even makes my standard laminate floors look shiny and new again. Plus, you can customize the scent with different essential oils.

What You Need:

- 1 cup white vinegar

- 1 cup water

- 1 teaspoon baking soda

- 15-20 drops essential oil (I like lemon or lavender)

- Spray bottle

Just mix everything together in the spray bottle and shake it up. That's it! Spray it on surfaces and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth or paper towels. The baking soda adds a gentle abrasive, the vinegar cuts grease and dirt, and the essential oils leave behind a crisp, clean scent instead of that fake "fresh linen" smell from store-bought cleaners.

DIY Soft Scrub for Tubs, Tiles and More

For really stubborn stains and buildup in the bathroom, I make my own version of a soft scrub cleanser. This one uses a few more ingredients, but it's so versatile. I use it for my bathtub surround, toilets, ceramic tile floors, you name it. It's thick and lightly abrasive, so it really digs in and eliminates the need for lots of harsh scrubbing.

What You Need:

- 1 cup baking soda

- 1/4 cup castile soap (or another natural, unscented liquid soap)

- 2 tablespoons vinegar

- 5-10 drops essential oil (I like eucalyptus or tea tree oil for the bathroom)

- A small mason jar or other container

Just stir everything together until it forms a thick, creamy paste. I like to make it fresh each time I need it rather than storing it pre-made. Scoop some out with a sponge or cloth and scrub onto surfaces, then rinse. For really tough jobs, you can let it sit for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing to let the baking soda and vinegar get to work breaking stuff down.

These are just two natural alternatives to keeping your home clean. In future we'll share more natural alternatives for things like doing your laundry, and more!