10 Recipes for Natural Homemade Cleaners

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Multipurpose Cleaner

Bathroom counters, kitchen sinks, microwaves, door handles—what can’t multipurpose cleaners clean? If you’re tired of the store bought brands that spray headache-inducing scents, mix up a few simple ingredients you already have at home, pour them into a spray bottle, and you’ll be all set for sparkling surfaces.

1. In a spray bottle, combine 3 cups water, 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon clear household ammonia, 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice. Shake well before each use.
2. Spray onto countertops, kitchen appliances and fixtures, and tile or painted surfaces. Wipe down with a clean cloth or damp sponge.

Mist or stream? Get the spray you want with this 3-pack of professional-quality bottles.

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Window and Glass Cleaner

If you’ve ever tried making homemade window cleaner before, then you’ll know just how easy it is. Two ingredients and one spray bottle will have the windows and mirrors in your house so smudge-free, you won’t believe your eyes!

1. Mix either 2 tablespoons ammonia in 2 quarts warm water or 1 cup white vinegar in 1 quart water. Place in a spray bottle.
2. Spray onto windows or other glass surfaces and wipe away using a microfiber cloth in an S-shaped pattern.

Get our top window-cleaning tips from a pro for the best ways to reduce streaks and residue on your glass surfaces.

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Dish Soap

Dish soap is one of those must-have products for those times you don’t want to wash certain dishes or kitchen tools in the dishwasher. If you’re tired of trying to find one that’s safe and effective, though, it’s easy to make your own.

1. Grate a bar of pure soap, such as Ivory, on the coarse side of a kitchen grater to measure 1/4 cup.
2. Place 1-1/2 cups hot water in a pitcher; stir in soap flakes with a fork until dissolved. Cool for 5 minutes, then stir in 1/4 cup glycerin and 1/2 teaspoon lemon essential oil.
3. Cool the mixture. Use the fork to break up any congealed parts, then pour the liquid into a squirt bottle. Use 2-3 teaspoons per sink or dishpan of hot water to hand-wash dishes.

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Liquid Fabric Softener

If you don’t like stiff, wrinkly clothing, but you also don’t like using a bunch of unnecessary chemicals, then making a quick mix of baking soda, vinegar and water is the solution for you. Store the extra fabric softener in a plastic bottle with a lid in your laundry room just the same as you would do with a store-bought product.

1. Mix 2 cups each baking soda and white vinegar with 1 quart water.
2. Add 1/4 cup softener to laundry’s final rinse cycle.

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Homemade Dryer Sheets

This one is too easy. Use the same ingredients as you did with the liquid fabric softener. We love keeping things simple, easy and multi-purpose.

1. Prepare liquid fabric softener (on the previous slide) in a wide container with a lid. Dip a washcloth into mixture; wring out.
2. Add the cloth to the dryer with a load of damp clothes.

Laundry dryer balls fluff and soften clothes without chemicals too. Bet you can’t resist this set of 4 cute hedgehog-shaped dryer balls.

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Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Keeping your beautiful hardwood floors in tip-top shape is super important to their longevity. Luckily, there’s a way to do just that with some effective and gentle products. Get your teabags ready!

1. In a large saucepan, boil 1 quart water. Remove from heat and add 6 peppermint tea bags. Let steep for 2 hours.
2. Pour tea in a mop pail. Add 1 quart white vinegar, 2 tablespoons baby oil and 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap (commercial or homemade). Stir to combine.
3. Dip a clean mop into the cleaning solution, wring or squeeze it out and clean house. The tannins in the tea attack dirt without damaging the floor finish.

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Furniture Polish

Just like wooden floors, it’s important to maintain your wooden furniture. Use this furniture polish to regularly care for your well-loved bed frames, kitchen tables and chairs, dressers and more.

1. Combine equal parts vegetable oil and lemon juice. Mix well; pour into a spray bottle.
2. Spray onto finished wooden surfaces, then polish with a soft microfiber cloth. Refrigerate up to six months.

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Degreaser

Oil splatters and crusted splatters of greasy food on your range are no match for this homemade degreaser. With just a few ingredients, a sponge and a dishcloth, you’ll be on your way to a radiant stovetop and pots and pans.

1. Combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/3 cup clear household ammonia, 1/4 cup baking soda, 2 tablespoons castile soap and 1-1/2 quarts water.
2. Pour mixture into a spray bottle and buff away the greasy areas in your kitchen.

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Drain Cleaner

Smelly drains are the worst. Luckily, there are some ingredients in your baking cabinet that hold the key to removing those foul odors from your drains. Below are the basics, but read up on our full guide to cleaning your drains naturally to really get a solid cleansing.

1. Mix 1 cup baking soda with 1 cup salt and 1/4 cup cream of tartar.
2. Boil 1 cup of water.
3. Pour the powder mixture down the drain, then follow it up with the cup of boiling water. You’ll see bubbles begin to form. Once the bubbles subside, flush the sink with cold water for about four minutes.

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Floor Cleaner

If you don’t have hardwood floors, don’t worry—there are natural floor cleaners for nearly every type of surface.

1. For tile and vinyl, mix 1 gallon warm water with 1/2 cup white vinegar. Wipe with a mop that is well-wrung out.
2. For laminate, mix 1 quart water with 1/4 cup white vinegar. Spray directly onto the floor with a spray bottle and then buff away dirt with a damp cloth.