Want to reduce your use of plastic, be more eco-friendly and save some pennies while you are at it? Making your own cleaning products will help! Today, we are going to share some great easy-to-make homemade cleaning products. They are good value and work just as well as the shop-bought varieties.

So why not ditch the chemicals and switch to these natural solutions instead?

Why We Should Make and Use Homemade Cleaners

There are many benefits to making your own household cleaners. Firstly, they are often cheaper to make and secondly you can make them meet your specific needs. For example, if you have skin that is easily irritated, you can make a cleaner that is more sensitive.

Homemade cleaners also tend to be more eco-friendly because they don’t contain harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances.

Make sure to always read the product labels of any ingredients first before mixing DIY cleaners. Label your homemade cleaner bottles and include the ingredients on the bottle. It’s vital to know what’s in the cleaner if a child or animal was able to access it and accidentally consume some. To prevent this always keep all cleaners stored safely, up high, or locked away from any children or animals.

Homemade Cleaning Products – The Recipes You Need To Know

How to Make a Scented All-Purpose Cleaner

What you need:

  • One part white vinegar
  • One part water
  • Lemon rind
  • Rosemary sprigs

Simply combine all of the ingredients, fill a spray bottle, shake it up and leave it to steep for a week before using.

You can use the all-purpose cleaner as you would any other shop bought multi-purpose cleaner; to clean bins, remove marks on walls, wipe down tables and countertops, and so on.

The great thing about this cleaner is the smell, it has a fresh citrus scent and the lemon rind may improve cleaning performance and remove hard water stains.

How to Make a Kitchen Cleaner and Deodorizer

What you need:

  • 4 tablespoons baking soda
  • 1 litre of warm water

For this simple recipe, all you need is baking soda and water. This homemade kitchen cleaner is great for cleaning counters, appliances, and the inside of your fridge. Baking soda is also a good deodorizer and can be used to shine stainless steel sinks and appliances.

How to Make a Homemade Brass Cleaner

What you need:

  • White vinegar or lemon juice
  • Table salt

To clean non-lacquered tarnished brass cabinet pulls, decorative ware, fixtures, and more create a paste with vinegar or lemon juice and salt. Lightly rub the paste over the surface. Rinse thoroughly with water or a clean damp cloth, then immediately dry with a clean, soft cloth.

How to Make a Natural Heavy-Duty Scrub Cleaner

What you need:

  • 1/2 lemon
  • 1/2 cup borax powder

This heavy-duty home remedy for removing stains on porcelain or enamel sinks and tubs works well. Scrape the lemon over the borax and wash the surface using it. (Do not use on marble or granite.) Cleaning Tip: Borax, a laundry booster, can be found in the detergent section or purchased online.

How to Make a DIY Glass Cleaner

What you need:

  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup white or cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol with 70% concentration
  • 1 to 2 drops of orange essential oil for smell (optional)

Made with common household ingredients, this simple recipe is quick and easy to make, and good value too. The solution cleans well and the orange essential oil gives it a lovely natural citrus smell.

The rubbing alcohol makes the mixture evaporate quickly to minimize spots and streaks.

Cleaning Tip: Avoid using on a hot, sunny day or in direct sunlight, because the solution may dry too quickly and leave streaks.

This cleaner can be used on glass or mirrors. Simply spray onto the surface, rub with a paper towel and buff with a soft cloth.

How to Make a DIY Grease Cleaner

What you need:

  • 1/2 cup sudsy ammonia
  • Scant 1 gallon of water

Sudsy ammonia is a sudsy mixture of ammonia and detergent that helps to remove stubborn dirt from metal surfaces. Mix 1/2 cup with enough water to fill a one-gallon container.

After cleaning your oven racks, stove hood, and grill, dampen a sponge with the solution and wipe over the surface before rinsing clean water over it. If your oven racks and grill grates are dirty, soak them in the mixture.

Add a little extra ammonia if they are extremely dirty. Caution: Avoid using ammonia on aluminum because it will cause darkening and pitting.

How to Make a Clothing Stain Remover

What you need:

  • 1 gallon hot water
  • 1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent
  • 1 cup regular liquid chlorine bleach, not ultra or concentrate

Rub the above mix into a stainless steel, plastic, or enamel bowl (not aluminum) to clean stained but washable white clothing. Soak the clothes for 15-20 minutes. If the stain remains, let it soak for longer before washing it as normal.

How to Make a Natural Marble Cleaner

What you need:

  • 2 drops mild dishwashing liquid
  • 2 cups warm water

This super easy homemade cleaner may be used on marble. Simply combine 2 drops of dish soap and water. Wipe over the surface of the marble and rinse thoroughly with a sponge to remove any soap residue. Gently rub with a soft cloth; do not let the marble air dry.

Warning: Never use vinegar, lemon, or another acidic cleaner on marble or granite surfaces; it will etch the stone.

In Conclusion …

Many of these DIY cleaning products can be made with ingredients already found in most kitchens or easy to find in the shops. Once you have the ingredients they can be used to make a lot more cleaning solutions. These cleaners actually work, are so simple to make, and are environmentally friendly. By making your own you will be reducing your use of shop-bought cleaners and cutting down on the plastic waste produced by traditional cleaners. Give these recipes a go and see which ones work best for you, you won’t be disappointed.