Why Make Your Own Cleaning Products?
Cleaning products from the store often contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, chlorine, and formaldehyde. Over time, exposure to these chemicals can cause headaches, asthma, and other health issues. Making your own natural cleaners at home allows you to avoid these chemicals while still getting your home clean. Homemade cleaners are also often cheaper, simpler to make, and better for the environment. Here are some of the main reasons why I choose to make my own natural cleaning products:
- Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals: Store-bought cleaners contain chemicals linked to health issues. Natural cleaners let me clean safely.
- Better for my family: Natural cleaners reduce my family’s exposure to harsh chemicals and fumes.
- Cost savings: Homemade cleaners only require a few simple, inexpensive ingredients.
- Environmentally friendly: Natural cleaners are biodegradable and don’t pollute waterways like conventional cleaners.
- Customizable: I can tweak homemade cleaner recipes to suit my cleaning needs.
- Safe for kids and pets: Natural cleaners won’t harm children or pets if accidentally ingested.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Making your own natural cleaners is easy with just a few basic supplies:
- Glass spray bottles: Use recycled containers or purchase new empty spray bottles. Avoid plastic as vinegar can degrade plastic over time.
- Funnels: For an easy mess-free transfer of cleaners into bottles.
- Measuring cups & spoons: Help keep measurements precise.
- Paper towels, rags & sponges: Reusable cloths prevent waste.
- Labels: To mark each bottle’s contents.
Basic ingredient staples include:
- White vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- Baking soda
- Lemon juice
- Castile soap
- Water
- Essential oils (for scent)
All-Purpose Natural Cleaner Recipe
This homemade all-purpose cleaner works on most surfaces.
Ingredients:
- 1 part water
- 1 part vinegar
- 5-10 drops essential oil (optional for scent)
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a glass spray bottle.
- Shake bottle to mix.
- Spray directly onto surface and wipe clean with a cloth.
For heavily soiled surfaces, let the cleaner sit for 3-5 minutes before wiping.
Other Natural Cleaning Solutions
In addition to an all-purpose cleaner, here are some other simple homemade cleaners:
Glass and Window Cleaner
Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Newspapers or microfiber cloths work great. No streaks!
Tub and Shower Cleaner
Sprinkle baking soda liberally and spray with vinegar. Let fizz for 5 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing clean.
Dusting Spray
Add several drops of lemon essential oil to water in a spray bottle. Spray onto dusters to collect dust.
Disinfectants
Soak paper towels in a 50/50 vinegar-water solution to wipe and disinfect surfaces.
Tips for Making Homemade Cleaners Work
Here are some of my tips for success with natural cleaners:
- Use microfiber cloths that work better than sponges for cleaning.
- Let solutions sit for 3-5 minutes before wiping to allow full cleaning power.
- Spray vinegar onto surfaces prior to wiping for extra grime removal.
- Start by mixing cleaners in small batches to test and adjust recipes as needed.
- Clearly label each bottle so the contents can be identified.
Benefits of My Homemade Cleaning Routine
Since switching to natural cleaners, I’ve noticed several benefits:
- My home sparkles using simple, safe ingredients
- No harsh chemical smells or fumes
- My family’s exposure to toxins has decreased
- We’ve saved money by making our own cleaners
- I’ve reduced plastic waste from consumer cleaners
Making my own natural cleaning products was easy to start and has made a big difference for my home and health. Give it a try—you can ditch the chemicals and still get everything sparkling clean!
