With more focus on going green and using environmentally friendly products, many people are turning to homemade natural cleaners. Using simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and cabinets, you can easily create non-toxic cleaners that are safe for your family and home.
The benefits of natural cleaners are numerous. They are more affordable than commercial brands, using inexpensive ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and other kitchen staples. They are also better for indoor air quality, as they don’t emit volatile organic compounds like store-bought cleaners.
Homemade cleaners are gentler on surfaces than harsh chemicals, and get the job done just as effectively. And creating your own natural cleaners is a project the whole family can get involved in.
In this article, we will explore the basics of making and using natural cleaners. You’ll learn key ingredients and how to combine them for homemade solutions to clean, sanitize, and disinfect your kitchen, bathroom, floor, and more.
Safety tip: Avoid mixing ammonia-based cleaners with chlorine bleach or any products that contain bleach, like powdered dishwasher detergent. Wear gloves and work in a ventilated area. Always Check product labels before combining even natural ingredients, as toxic chemical reactions can occur. Properly label any homemade cleaning mixtures decanted into spray bottles with all ingredients listed. That way if a child or pet accidentally ingests the cleaner, you'll know exactly what they consumed. Even natural cleaners need to be handled with care.
1. All-Purpose Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 4 cups hot water
This one is super easy! Just mix 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 4 cups hot water in a bucket or large bowl. The vinegar cuts through grease and grime, while the baking soda acts as a gentle scrubbing agent. Use this solution on countertops, appliances, floors, and other surfaces. Dip a sponge or cloth in the cleaner, wring out excess liquid, and wipe down the area. Rinse with a damp cloth afterward.
2. Disinfectant Spray
What you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup bleach
- 1 tablespoon dish soap
- 1 quart water
For an effective disinfectant, combine 1/4 cup bleach, 1 tablespoon dish soap, and 1 quart water in a spray bottle. Make sure to add the bleach last to avoid splattering. Shake the bottle to mix thoroughly. Spray directly onto surfaces like doorknobs, toilet handles, and kitchen counters. Let it sit for at least 1 minute before wiping it away with a paper towel or clean cloth for maximum disinfection.
3. Glass Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- One part white vinegar
- One part water
Mix up this super simple glass cleaner by combining equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Vinegar helps cut through grease, water spots, and streaks. Just spritz the solution onto windows, mirrors, or other glass surfaces and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth or crumpled newspaper for a streak-free shine.
4. Tub and Tile Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon liquid soap or dish soap
- 1 cup hot water
For scrubbing grime off tubs, showers, and tiles, whip up this cleaner. In a bucket, mix 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon liquid soap or dish soap, and 1 cup hot water. The baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive, the vinegar dissolves soap scum, and the dish soap helps it all cling. Dip a sponge or brush into the mixture and scrub the tub, tile walls, and floor. Rinse clean with warm water.
5. Wood Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cups water
Keep wood furniture and floors looking their best with this simple cleaner. Stir together 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 2 cups water in a spray bottle. The vinegar cleans and disinfects, while the oil conditions and preserves the natural wood. Mist onto wood surfaces and wipe clean with a soft cloth.
6. Mold and Mildew Remover
What you’ll need:
- 1 part hydrogen peroxide
- 2 parts water
Mix up this easy spray to get rid of mold and mildew stains. Combine 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts water in a spray bottle. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural anti-fungal that can help remove existing mold. Thoroughly spray molded areas and let sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing with an old toothbrush. Rinse clean. Repeat as needed for tough stains.
7. Drain Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- Hot water
Here’s a simple way to remove gunk and grime buildup in drains. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the clogged drain. Follow with 1/2 cup white vinegar and quickly cover the drain with a stopper or rag. The baking soda and vinegar will react with fizzing and bubbling to help break up residue. After 30 minutes, run hot tap water to rinse away any remaining buildup.
8. Oven Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Water (enough to make a thick paste)
Skip the harsh chemicals! Make this simple paste to clean oven grime. In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt, adding just enough water to form a thick, spreadable paste. Spread the mixture all over the oven interior – top, bottom, sides. Let sit overnight, then wipe away the next morning. Baked-on foods and stains will lift right off. Rinse thoroughly.
9. Stainless Steel Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Warm water
- Distilled white vinegar
- Dish soap
Mix this easy cleaner for smudge-free stainless steel. In a spray bottle, combine equal parts warm water, distilled white vinegar, and dish soap. Vinegar and soap help remove fingerprints, water spots, and food grime. Spray onto appliances, sinks, or other stainless steel. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth or soft paper towel.
10. Granite Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 2 teaspoons dish soap
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 1 quart warm water
Keep granite countertops looking like new with this homemade mix. In a spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of dish soap, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and 1 quart of warm water. Shake well to mix thoroughly. The soap cuts through oils and grease, while the baking soda gently scrubs. Spray onto granite surfaces, then wipe clean with a soft cloth. Rinse any baking soda residue.
11. Hardwood Floor Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cups warm water
Mix up this gentle cleaner for hardwood floors. In a spray bottle, combine 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 2 cups warm water. The vinegar sanitizes, while the oil conditions the wood. Mist the solution onto the floors and wipe clean with a microfiber mop or cloth.
12. Laundry Detergent
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup grated bar soap
- 1/2 cup washing soda
- 1/2 cup borax
For an eco-friendly laundry option, stir together 1 cup grated bar soap, 1/2 cup washing soda, and 1/2 cup borax in a jar. The soap cleans, soda brightens, and borax deodorizes. Use 1-2 tablespoons per laundry load along with your regular detergent.
13. Carpet Freshener
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda
Freshen up carpets easily with this trick. Liberally sprinkle baking soda over the carpeted area. Let sit for 15 minutes to absorb odors and moisture before vacuuming up. The baking soda neutralizes odors naturally.
14. Leather Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2/3 cup water
Combine 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 2/3 cup water in a jar. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and gently wipe leather surfaces to clean and condition without stripping oils. Rinse residue with clean water.
15. Chrome Polish
What you’ll need:
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
Make surfaces shine by mixing equal parts olive oil and lemon juice. Olive oil moisturizes and protects chrome while lemon juice cuts through water spots and tarnish. Dip a soft cloth into the mixture and rub it onto faucets, shower heads, mirrors, and other chrome. Polish with a dry cloth.
16. Jewelry Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1 part baking soda
- 2 parts warm water
Freshen up tarnished silver and gold jewelry by soaking it in a bath of 1 part baking soda and 2 parts warm water for 2-3 hours. Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that lifts dirt and tarnishes. Rinse jewelry and pat dry. Stubborn spots can be scrubbed gently with a soft toothbrush.
17. Copper Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Water
Bring back copper’s vibrancy with this homemade cleaner. Make a paste by mixing lemon juice and salt. Apply the paste to copper items with a soft cloth, gently rubbing to remove tarnish. Rinse with clean water and pat dry. The acid in lemon juice dissolves oxidation while the salt provides a gentle abrasive.
18. Headlight Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Water
Restore car headlights’ clarity with this simple cleaner. Make a paste of baking soda and water. Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the cloudy headlights, rinsing often with water. This removes foggy residue caused by sun damage and pollution.
19. Coffee Maker Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- White vinegar
- Water
Remove stuck-on coffee residue by running a brew cycle with equal parts white vinegar and water in the reservoir instead of coffee grounds. The acetic acid in vinegar breaks down built-up oils and limescale. For tough stains, scrub with a bottle brush.
20. Dishwasher Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
Give your dishwasher a deep clean by placing 2 cups of white vinegar on the bottom rack and running an empty cycle. The vinegar dissolves soap scum, food grease, and limescale buildup. For extra cleaning power, run the dishwasher mid-cycle after adding 1/2 cup baking soda.
21. Garden Tool Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1 gallon of water
- 1 cup of white vinegar or lemon juice
Mix 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of white vinegar or lemon juice in a bucket. Place dirty gardening tools like trowels, pruners, and gloves in the solution and let soak for 20 minutes. This will loosen caked-on dirt. Scrub and rinse clean before drying and storing tools.
22. Grill Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Aluminum foil
- Lemon juice
An easy way to remove cooked-on grease and grime from grill grates is to ball up a piece of aluminum foil, dip it in lemon juice, and scrub the grates. The juice breaks down stubborn deposits and makes grates shine. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
23. Fireplace Glass Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Wood ash
- Water or vinegar
To clean sooty fireplace doors, mix 1 part wood ash with 2 parts water or vinegar. Apply the paste with a soft cloth and rub gently to avoid scratching the glass. Wood ash is a natural abrasive that lifts away residue without harsh chemicals.
24. Candle Wax Remover
What you’ll need:
- Freezer
- Plastic scraper or old credit card
- Vinegar
To remove dried candle wax from surfaces, first place the object in the freezer overnight to harden the wax. Once hardened, gently scrape away as much wax as possible with a plastic scraper or old credit card. Finally, wipe the surface down with a soft cloth dipped in vinegar.
25. CD/DVD Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Water
- Distilled white vinegar
Keep discs clean by wiping in straight lines with a soft cloth dampened with equal parts water and distilled white vinegar. The vinegar removes light dust and fingerprints. Avoid circular scrubs as this can create permanent scratches.
26. Computer Screen Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Vodka
- Water
Mix 1 part vodka with 2 parts water in a spray bottle. Lightly spritz the solution onto a microfiber cloth and gently wipe down computer screens, monitors, tablets, etc. The alcohol in vodka cuts through dust, fingerprints, and smudges.
27. Linoleum Floor Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 gallon warm water
Mix 1⁄2 cup white vinegar with 1 gallon warm water in a bucket. Mop linoleum floors using this solution to cut through dirt and grime. Vinegar also helps remove scuff marks and leaves floors shiny.
28. Ceiling Fan Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
Use a microfiber cloth dipped in a mix of 2 parts olive oil and 1 part lemon juice to give ceiling fan blades a dust-repelling polish.
29. Produce Wash
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Lemon juice
- Water
Gently wash fruits and veggies by mixing 1 tablespoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 cup water in a bowl. Soak produce for 5-10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Baking soda and lemon work together to remove pesticides and wax.
30. Microwave Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Lemon juice
- Water
In a microwave-safe bowl, mix 1⁄4 cup lemon juice and 1 cup water. Cook on high for 5 minutes, allowing the steam to loosen splatters. Carefully remove the hot bowl and wipe away the grime with a cloth. Lemon juice cuts through stuck-on food.
31. Silver Polish
What you’ll need:
- Warm water
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Aluminum foil
Remove tarnish from silver by mixing 1 cup warm water, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, and a small piece of aluminum foil in a bowl. Soak silver items for 2-3 minutes until the tarnish is gone. Baking soda, salt, and foil are gentle abrasives that lift tarnishes without scratching.
32. Refrigerator Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Warm water
- Essential oil (e.g., lemon or lavender)
Mix 2 tbsp baking soda, 1 quart warm water, and 5 drops of essential oil like lemon or lavender in a spray bottle. The baking soda disinfects while the oil provides a fresh scent. Spray this solution on fridge walls and shelves. Wipe clean with a soft cloth.
33. Cutting Board Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Lemon
Refresh and disinfect wooden cutting boards by rubbing a cut lemon across the surface. Let sit briefly, then rinse and dry. The acid in lemon removes stains and odors while its antibacterial properties kill germs.
34. Toilet Bowl Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
For sparkling toilet bowls, pour 1⁄2 cup baking soda into the bowl. Follow with 1 cup white vinegar and let fizz for 10 minutes. The reaction helps break down mineral deposits and lift stains. Scrub the entire bowl with a toilet brush and flush to rinse.
35. Grout Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
Combine equal parts baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Apply to grout lines and let sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing with an old toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly. The peroxide whitens while baking soda scrubs away grime.
36. Ink Stain Remover
What you’ll need:
- Toothpaste
- Warm water
Pretreat ink stains on fabric, carpet, or furniture by rubbing toothpaste into the spot with a toothbrush. Let sit briefly, then launder the fabric or rinse the area with warm water to lift the stain. Toothpaste contains mild abrasives that break down inks.
37. Clogged Drain Opener
What you’ll need:
- Salt
- Boiling water
Pour 1⁄2 cup salt down a sluggish drain followed by 2 cups boiling water. The heat and salt break up hair, soap scum, and grease clogs. For preventative maintenance, do this treatment weekly.
38. Shoe Deodorizer
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Tea bags
- Dryer sheets
Place 1 tablespoon baking soda in stinky shoes overnight to absorb odors. Tea bags also work well. For quick freshening, place dryer sheets in shoes or tape them to shoe insoles.
39. Makeup Brush Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- Gentle soap
- Vinegar
- Water
Swish makeup brushes in a bowl filled with 1 part gentle soap mixed with 1 part vinegar. Rinse under running water and repeat until water runs clear. This removes makeup, oils, and bacteria from bristles. Air dry thoroughly.
Final Thoughts on Homemade Natural Cleaners
Switching to natural homemade cleaners is a smart change for your health, home, and wallet. Now that you’ve learned the basics of making effective, non-toxic cleaners from pantry staples, you can start replacing toxic chemicals with safe, eco-friendly solutions.
If you want to go green, save money, avoid exposure to toxic chemicals, and take control over cleaning products used in your home, give natural cleaners a try. Start with just one homemade solution this week.
The simplicity of making powerful natural cleaners with common household items makes it easy to transform your cleaning routine. Say goodbye to labels with unpronounceable ingredients and make the switch to safe, eco-friendly homemade cleaners instead.