Making your own household cleaners isn’t just simple, less wasteful, and free of harmful chemicals — it’s better for your budget! Opting for a DIY cleaning recipe is also extremely versatile and customizable to your needs. Here are a few recipes to get you started!
DIY Citrus Multi-Purpose Cleaning Spray
What You’ll Need:
- Clean 32oz. glass spray bottle (we recommend glass because the acid from the citrus and essential oils can cause plastic to break down)
- Peels of 4 lemons or 2 large oranges (or some of each!)
- White vinegar
- Distilled water
- Essential oils (optional)
Instructions:
- Save your citrus peels the next time you’re cooking or snacking and place them in a glass jar. Cover with white vinegar and seal. Store in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks, shaking occasionally.
- Strain citrus and vinegar solution into your glass spray bottle to about half full. You can store any leftover solution for the next time.
- Next, add 3-4 drops of essential oils, if desired. Be careful to do your research when selecting the best options for your home to make sure they are pet-friendly, safe to mix, etc. Lavendar and Clary Sage are great additions to the lemon and vinegar mixture, are safe for pets, AND have been known to have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
- Top with distilled water, seal, and shake before each use.
- Looking for something stronger? Simply spray the surface you’re cleaning and sprinkle with baking soda. Let sit for a few minutes and scrub!
- Inspired to keep going? Pinterest is a great resource for DIY’s, research about cleaner swaps you can make and learn what works best for you and you home.
DIY Shower, Tub, and Tile Cleaner
This recipe magically cuts through soap scum on showers, tubs, and tile. Best of all, a quick squeegee, and a spray down after your shower will keep you from scrubbing as often.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 3 tbsp. Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds or dishwashing soap
- 20-25 drops essential oil (suggested: a combination of lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, and tea tree)
- Distilled water
- 16oz. spray bottle — glass spray bottles are best, but you can also use certain types of plastic spray bottles that are safe for use with diluted essential oils like #1 PET or plastic #2 HDPE.
- Funnel
Instructions:
- Place funnel over a spray bottle and add white vinegar, dishwashing soap, and essential oils (essential oils not only smell great, they also help disinfect surfaces and kill mold).
- Top with distilled water but don’t fill it all the way up, or your bottle with overflow once you put the top on.
- Screw the spray nozzle onto the bottle and give it a good shake.
- Shake well before using, spray on shower, tub, tile, faucet, and glass shower doors.
- Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (and as long as overnight, if needed).
- scrub, if needed and rinse with hot water.
You’ll notice that soap scum, hard water spots, and dirt will be gone, and your faucet and fixtures will be clean and shiny! This recipe is NOT for use on granite or marble. The acid in the vinegar could eat away at the surface and cause pitting.
DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaning Bombs
Just one batch of these 5 ingredient cleaning bombs will keep your garbage disposal fresh, clean, and deodorized for a few months.
What you’ll Need:
- 1 1/2 cups baking soda
- 1 cup salt
- 2 tbsp. liquid dish soap (or castile soap)
- 2 lemons, zested and juiced
- 20 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
- Large glass mixing bowl, fork for mixing
- Spoon or small cookie scoop
- Airtight storage container
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the baking soda and salt. Stir with a fork to remove any lumps.
- Add liquid dish soap to the mixture, along with the zest of both lemons and stir well. Add the lemon essential oil in this step, if desired.
- Stir fresh lemon juice into the mixture, mixing until the mixture reaches a slushy consistency. It should take around 1/4 to 1/2 cup of juice to reach this stage.
- Portion the mixture into tablespoon-sized tabs using a spoon or cookie scoop, and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow the tabs to dry for at least 24 hours before using.
- Store in a sealed container and use as need to freshen up your garbage disposal. First, run the garbage disposal with a handful of ice. Then add one of the tabs, let it sit for a few minutes, then run the disposal again. Repeat as desired. If it’s been a while since you last cleaned your garbage disposal, it may need a little extra cleaning. Simply remove the rubber flange and give it a good scrub with an old toothbrush, replace it and repeat the ice and cleaning tab process.