How to Make a Simple, Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

Learn how to make your own, homemade all-purpose cleaner that actually works and is free from harmful chemicals. You just need a couple of lemons, some vinegar, and a glass bottle.

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Like most anyone, I can’t stand living in filth. I also hate not knowing what is in a product I use, especially if it’s something like a cleaning product that touches everything I do. So, to find that balance between having a clean home and not using cleaners that need “Toxic” plastered all over the bottles, I started making eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaners at home. Not only can each cleaning product be customized based on what you need to clean and what smell you want it to have, but creating your own homemade all-purpose cleaner is super cheap and it helps reduce plastic waste! That’s why making homemade cleaning products has become one of my favorite things to do.

Why should you make your own cleaner?

I’ve been making all-purpose cleaners for around eight years now. As I started to learn more about the benefits of natural ingredients, I also started to learn about all the issues caused by chemical-based cleaners. Most cleaners use fragrances and chemicals that can create toxic fumes. According to the American Lung Association, The United States don’t require that companies list every ingredient on their commercial products. So, between the health detriments and the hidden products that could even be in the “cleanest” of cleaners, I decided I wanted to reduce my dependency on overly chemical commercial cleaning products, while improving my household health. I experimented with several recipes over the years, from highly complicated to surprisingly simple. I tested and tweaked each one until I found a super simple and highly effective formula that has quickly become the best homemade all-purpose cleaner I’ve used.

What are the benefits of making your own vinegar cleaner?

There are a few qualities that set this cleaner apart. One is its affordability; for a 32 oz. bottle of all-purpose cleaner, you will pay anywhere from $4.00 to $12.00. That sounds reasonable at first, but that then you have to put another bottle in the garbage and pay for the cleaner every time you run out. For the homemade cleaner, however, most of the ingredients are common kitchen items and are very affordable to find. Here are the average prices for the basic ingredients we use:

• 1 Gallon Distilled White Vinegar: $4 – $10
• Lemons: Roughly $2 per pound

Initially, creating this cleaner is as much if not more expensive than store-bought cleaners, but the value lies in the quantity you can make with each item. We make a quart’s worth of cleaner when we start the process, which is the same as 32 ounces, standard for all-purpose cleaner bottles. The gallon of vinegar can fill four quarts. For us, that’s about four months of cleaner. And, on top of that, you can use the lemons for multiple batches. The essential oils we recommend adding will up the cost, but our recipe measures the oils by drops, so you shouldn’t cycle through them very quickly either. At the end of the day, you might spend a few more dollars today for the supplies, but the value you will get in return will completely make up for it in the long run.

This solution is also very versatile. It works wonderfully on any surface in my home, be it marble countertops, wooden furniture, or even glass windows. Of course, it’s always advisable to do a spot test on a small, inconspicuous area before using it extensively, just to ensure it doesn’t cause any discoloration or damage to the surface.

The best part about this household cleaner is that you can customize its scent to suit your preferences with essential oils. Personally, I adore the combination of these Revive lavender and sage essential oils coupled with the lemon vinegar. Lavender brings a soothing and calming aroma, while sage offers natural antibacterial properties. Meanwhile, lemon provides a fresh scent and acts as a natural degreaser. Vinegar adds its disinfectant properties thanks to its acetic acid. Thanks to this acid, vinegar has the capability to combat dirt, grease, mold, you name it. The synergy of these ingredients has made my cleaning experience more enjoyable, and they uplift the overall ambiance of my home whenever I clean.

I highly recommend trying out this formula if you’re looking for a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and customizable cleaning solution. It’s simple to make, and it delivers exceptional results across a wide range of surfaces. Give it a go to see how easy and fulfilling it can be to create your own homemade all-purpose cleaner products while promoting sustainability and well-being in your home.

Homemade all-purpose cleaner that works

Ingredients:

• 4 lemons
• White Vinegar
• Distilled water
• Essential oils (optional)
• Glass jar
• Glass spray bottle
  

Note: Don’t use a plastic spray bottle because the essential oils will break down the plastic, and it will leach into your cleaner

Directions:

1. Quarter the lemons and place them all into a glass jar.
2. Cover the lemons with white vinegar and seal the jar
3. Put the jar in a cool, dark place to sit for at least 4 weeks
4. Strain the solution into your glass spray bottle until it is about halfway full.
5. Then, fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water.
6. Store any remaining lemon vinegar in a dark cool place.
7. Finally, add 15 to 30 drops (depending on how strong you want the scent to be) of your preferred essential oil blend. I usually use 10 drops of lavender and 10 drops of sage. If you choose not to add essential oils, your cleaner will still have a wonderful lemony scent.
8. Seal the bottle and shake before each use. Spot test on any new surfaces to ensure it does not cause any discoloration.

Your home will now be sparkling clean!

Note: I always have a jar of lemons steeping in vinegar, so I don’t have to wait for the next batch once my spray bottle runs out. The timing works perfectly because I typically use up all the cleaner within a month!

Citations:

American Lung Association. (n.d.). Cleaning Supplies and Household Chemicals. https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/cleaning-supplies-household-chem#:~:text=Many%20cleaning%20supplies%20or%20household,that%20vaporize%20at%20room%20temperature.