Homemade Cleaning Solutions for Every Surface

Keeping your home clean should be a top priority, but it doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg or introduce harsh chemicals into your family’s environment. Homemade cleaning solutions are cost-effective, eco-friendly alternatives that get the job done using simple, non-toxic ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and cabinets.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover why homemade cleaners are preferable over store-bought, provide recipes for all-purpose cleaners made with essential ingredients like vinegar and baking soda, and give solutions tailored specially for cleaning every common household surface material. Read on to make your home sparkle!

Why Choose Homemade Cleaning Solutions?

Homemade cleaners have many advantages over commercial cleaners:

Cost Savings

• Store-bought cleaners can cost $3-6 per bottle. Multiply that by the dozens of cleaners the average household has stockpiled under sinks and you’ve got a hefty cleaning bill!
• Homemade cleaners use ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and soap that cost just pennies per use. Saving money is as easy as mixing up these thrifty ingredients you likely already have at home.

Health and Safety

• Many commercial cleaners contain harsh chemicals, emit strong fumes, require gloves to handle safely, and can aggravate allergies or asthma.
• Homemade cleaners use gentle, non-toxic ingredients that are safe for people and pets when following basic precautions.

Eco-Friendliness

• Factories produce millions of plastic cleaner bottles annually, nearly all of which end up in landfills and oceans. The cleaning chemicals themselves also pollute groundwater when washed down drains.
• Homemade cleaners utilize reusable containers and ingredients that are biodegradable and phosphate-free to minimize environmental impact.

Simplicity

• Who needs a laundry list of unpronounceable chemicals when versatile ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and soap get the job done? Simplify your cleaning routine.
• Making homemade cleaners takes just minutes. Mix up ingredients, pour into a reused bottle, label, and start cleaning!

Effectiveness

• Surprisingly, homemade cleaners perform just as well as store-bought options thanks to the cleaning power of acid and abrasion rather than fancy formulas and fragrances. DIY cleaners dissolve soap scum, remove grease, disinfect surfaces, and leave them shiny.
• Tailor homemade cleaning solutions to target different surface materials like stone, metal, plastic, leather, etc.

Take control over the cleaners you expose yourself and your family to. Homemade options outperform store-bought across the board!

Essential Ingredients for Homemade Cleaners

Homemade cleaning solutions rely on just a handful of simple ingredients you likely already have stocked in your kitchen:

Distilled White Vinegar

• The acetic acid in vinegar dissolves mineral deposits, grease, soap residue, and dirt. The acidic pH of vinegar also makes it a disinfectant.
• Use with water for an all-purpose cleaner or mix with essential oils to eliminate vinegar odor while cleaning.

Baking Soda

• Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to lift dirt from surfaces. Mix it with water to make a paste for scrubbing.
• Leave baking soda on surfaces overnight before wiping it away for heavy duty cleaning.

Lemon Juice

• Contains citric acid that cuts through soap scum, grease, mildew stains, and more.
• Mix lemon juice with vinegar or bake baking soda solutions to increase cleaning power and leave a light citrus scent.

Castile Soap

• Made from vegetable oils, castile soap helps lift away oils and dirt from surfaces without leaving residue.
• Look for unscented varieties to avoid mixing fragrances with other cleaner ingredients.

Essential Oils

• Add essential oils like tea tree, lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender to homemade cleaners to provide antibacterial properties and natural fragrance.
• Each oil also has its own cleaning strengths: tea tree removes mold, lemon cuts grease, eucalyptus disinfects, etc.

Hydrogen Peroxide

• The bubbling reaction helps lift stains. Low concentrations around 3% work well for household cleaning.
• Avoid using hydrogen peroxide on natural stone which can damage surfaces.

Other Handy Ingredients

• Kosher salt
• Borax
• Washing soda
• Olive oil
• Rubbing alcohol

Homemade Cleaning Solutions for Every Surface

From kitchen counters to bathroom floors, leather couches to outdoor patio furniture, we’ve got a tailored homemade cleaner specifically designed for each surface material in your home.

Kitchen Surfaces

Granite Countertops

Mix together:

• 2 cups water
• 1⁄4 cup vodka
• 15-20 drops essential oil (optional)

The alcohol in the vodka disinfects while the essential oils provide antibacterial action and scent.

Marble Countertops

Mix together:

• 2 cups water
• 1⁄4 cup vinegar
• 15-20 drops of lemon essential oil

The gentle acidity in the vinegar dissolves grime without damaging the delicate marble surface. Lemon oil cuts through grease and leaves surfaces shiny.

Stainless Steel Appliances

Mix together:

• 2 cups water
• 1⁄4 cup vinegar
• Dish soap

The acid-base combo removes fingerprints and grease buildup. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down exteriors without scratching.

Recycling Bins

Mix together:

• 1 cup vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 5-10 drops essential oil

Soak paper towels in the solution and swish around the bin interior to dissolve residue. Eliminate odors with antibacterial essential oils like lavender or tea tree.

Kitchen Flooring

• Vinyl Flooring – Mix 1 cup vinegar with a gallon of water. The acid breaks up sticky messes.
• Tile Flooring – Sweep then mop using warm, soapy water. The heat helps loosen oil buildup.
• Wood Flooring – Wipe with a damp microfiber mop dipped in a mild castile soap and water mix. Avoid excessive water.

Ovens and Stovetops

Whisk together:

• 2 cups baking soda
• 1⁄4 cup salt
• Water to form a spreadable paste

Apply the paste to interior oven surfaces. Let sit overnight then wipe clean. The abrasives lift caked-on gunk without scratching.

Microwaves

Mix ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl:

• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Microwave the solution for 5 minutes, allowing the heated solution to condense on interior surfaces. Then wipe clean using a cloth.

Bathroom Surfaces

Toilets

Mix together:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup vinegar
• 5 drops essential oil

Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl. Spray or pour vinegar overtop and let fizz. Swish with a toilet brush then flush clean.

Sinks and Fixtures

Whisk ingredients into a foaming paste:

• Baking soda
• Dish soap
• Hydrogen peroxide

Use an old toothbrush to scrub paste over faucets, handles, tile grout, chrome, porcelain sinks and tubs. Rinse thoroughly after soaking through gunk.

Showerheads

Fill a zip-top bag with:

• 1 cup vinegar
• 2 cups water

Secure the bag over the showerhead using a rubber band so the vinegar solution envelops the showerhead. Let sit for 1-2 hours then rinse away mineral deposits.

Bathroom Flooring

• Ceramic Tile – Mop using a vinegar, water, and castile soap mixture. The acid disinfects grimy grout.
• Marble Tile – Dust mop floors before lightly damp mopping using plain water. Vinegar can damage natural stone.
• Bathmats – Machine wash bathmats weekly using 1⁄2 cup vinegar + detergent to eliminate odors.

Living Room and Bedroom Surfaces

Upholstered Furniture

Vacuum cushions then mix up:

• 2 cups warm water
• 1⁄4 cup vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup castile soap

Use a sponge to wipe down wooden furniture legs and arms. For fabric surfaces, dip a microfiber cloth in solution and gently blot stain-prone areas avoiding excessive moisture.

Leather Furniture

Combine in a spray bottle:

• 2 cups water
• 1⁄2 cup vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil

Spray microfiber cloth then wipe leather surfaces using gentle, circular motions. Buff treated areas with a dry portion of cloth after the solution absorbs. Oil and vinegar condition leather while removing dirt buildup.

Electronics Screens

Moisten cotton pad using:

• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vinegar

Gently wipe electronics screens including tablets, phones, remote controls, and TVs. Dry thoroughly with a microfiber cloth to prevent streaks and waterspots.

Ceiling Fan Blades

Dip a microfiber cloth in a warm water and castile soap solution. Stand on a sturdy stool or ladder to reach the fan blades. Rotate each blade using the cloth to capture dust and grime.

Light Fixtures

Mix together:

• 2 cups warm water
• 1⁄4 cup vinegar
• 2 tablespoons baking soda

Dip cloth in solution then wipe down glass lamp shades, sconces, chandeliers moving in one direction to prevent streaking. Polish metal bases using baking soda paste if needed.

Windows and Mirrors

Use paper coffee filters with:

• 1⁄4 cup vinegar
• 2 cups water

Spray solution onto mirrors and glass windows before wiping clean using coffee filters instead of lint-prone paper towels or newspaper.

Outdoor Living Spaces

Wood Furniture

Make a restorative oil blend by mixing:

• 1 cup olive oil
• 15 drops lemon essential oil

Rub wood using fine grit sandpaper before applying oil blend. Let soak in before wiping away the excess. Seals weathered outdoor wood against further damage.

Wrought Iron Furniture

Use a medium bristle brush to scrub:

• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 quart warm water

Rinse thoroughly. Avoid using acid-based cleaners which further break down paint and metal over time. Oil regularly using WD-40 to preserve.

Patio Umbrellas

Sweep loose dirt off fabric umbrella surfaces before spot cleaning stains using:

• 2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons oxygen bleach powder
• 1 tablespoon liquid castile soap

Use an old toothbrush to gently work the paste into stains on the umbrella fabric. Rinse thoroughly.

Outdoor Rugs

Sweep off loose debris using a broom before laying the rug out flat on a driveway or sidewalk. Scrub using a hard bristle deck brush and soapy water. Rinse off soap film using a garden hose. Air or machine dry thoroughly before storing indoors to prevent mold growth.

Outdoor Cushions

Hand wash outdoor fabric cushions individually using a mild detergent and warm water. For stubborn mold and mildew stains treat using:

• 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
• 1⁄4 cup baking soda
• 1 teaspoon dish soap

Mix together in a spray bottle and spritz over the stain. Let bubble for 10 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing clean.

Pools and Hot Tubs

Scrub porcelain tile grout surrounding pools using baking soda paste. Mix:

• 1 cup baking soda
• Dish soap
• 3 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide

Dip an old toothbrush in paste and scrub grout. Wipe away grime with a towel. Rinse thoroughly before refilling the pool or hot tub.

Grill and Outdoor Kitchen

Remove cooking grates before spraying interior of the grill using:

• 2 cups warm water
• Liquid castile soap
• 1⁄2 cup baking soda

Use a sturdy grill brush to scrub away grease and food deposits. Rinse clean before drying thoroughly. Wipe stainless surfaces using undiluted white vinegar followed by buffing out water spots for a polished look.

Read More: How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances with Natural Products

Natural Ingredients, Optimal Results

Implementing homemade cleaning solutions throughout your home provides powerful results rivaling harsh chemical cleaners while saving money and avoiding unwanted toxins. Tailor solutions to target every surface material for a deep clean.

We hope these surface-specific homemade cleaner recipes help you eliminate grime throughout your whole home without introducing a cocktail of noxious chemicals. Share your successes and homemade solutions of your own in the comments below!