Make Your Own All-Purpose Household Cleaner with Simple Non-Toxic Ingredients

Making Your Own All-Purpose Household Cleaner

Having an effective all-purpose cleaner at home that can be used to clean all kinds of surfaces is essential. Store-bought cleaners often contain harsh chemicals and can be expensive over time. Luckily, it's possible to make your own using just a few simple ingredients. This do-it-yourself all-purpose cleaner recipe outlined below uses Castile soap, which is plant-based and biodegradable, plus other common household items.

Benefits of a DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

There are many advantages to making your own all-purpose household cleaner at home, including:

• Cost savings - Making your own allows you to save money by avoiding expensive store-bought cleaners.
• No harsh chemicals - Most DIY cleaners use gentler ingredients that get the job done without harsh fumes or residue.
• Customizable - You can tweak DIY cleaner recipes to suit your own needs and preferences.
• Better for the environment - Using plant-based ingredients like Castile soap reduces your ecological footprint.

Ingredients Needed

Luckily, you can make an effective all-purpose cleaner using ingredients you likely already have:

• Castile Soap - Made from vegetable oils; cuts through grease and grime without chemicals
• Water - Helps dissolve the soap and provides the bulk of the liquid
• Essential Oils (Optional) - For scent; lemon, lavender and tea tree oil work well
• White Vinegar (Optional) - Boosts cleaning and disinfecting power naturally
• Baking Soda (Optional) - Gentle scouring power for tougher messes

All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe

This simple recipe only calls for a few ingredients but makes an very effective all-purpose cleaner:

• 4 cups water
• 3 drops Castile soap
• Extra ingredients like vinegar or lemon essential oil are optional

To make, simply mix the Castile soap into the water thoroughly until combined. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a fresh scent. The cleaner concentrate can be stored in a sealed container and then mixed with additional water as needed when cleaning.

How to Use Your DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

One of the best things about an all-purpose cleaner is it can be used to clean many different surfaces throughout your home. To get started, make sure you have clean rags or reusable towels on hand to apply your cleaner.

General Surface Cleaning

Your DIY cleaner can be used to wipe down all kinds of hard surfaces like countertops, tables, walls, floors, appliances and more. Here are some tips:

• Mix equal parts cleaner concentrate and water in a spray bottle
• Spray directly onto the surface and wipe clean with a rag
• No need to rinse since the cleaner has gentle ingredients

Mirrors and Glass

Glass surfaces like mirrors and windows shine beautifully with an all-natural cleaner. To clean them:

• Mix concentrate with water at a 2:1 ratio in a spray bottle
• Spray glass surface evenly then wipe off with newspaper or microfiber cloth

Floors

Vinyl, sealed hardwood floors, laminate and linoleum clean up nicely with this DIY cleaner. For best results:

• Sweep floors first to remove loose dirt and debris
• Dip mop into bucket diluted cleaner solution and mop floors
• Let air dry; no rinsing needed

Tips for the Best Results

Follow these tips when making and using your all-purpose cleaner concentrate:

• Shake bottle before each use to combine concentrate
• Dilute with equal parts or more water for lighter cleaning jobs
• Use higher concentrate ratio for tougher messes like grease
• Scent with essential oils like lemon, lavender or eucalyptus
• Store concentrate in an airtight container for up to 6 months

Troubleshooting

If you run into any problems, try these troubleshooting tips:

• Add a few more drops of Castile soap if not cleaning effectively
• Rinse surface if cleaner leaves cloudy residue behind
• Try adding baking soda to scour stuck-on messes
• Switch rag if too dirty or try using paper towel

Safety Tips

When working with any DIY cleaner, be sure to follow basic safety guidelines:

• Wear gloves to protect skin
• Avoid mixing cleaners or acidic products
• Use in well ventilated area and avoid inhaling fumes
• Keep out of reach of children and pets

Making your own all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner is simple, affordable and effective. This versatile DIY cleaner can replace multiple products, saving you money while keeping your home sparkling clean.

FAQs

Can I use a different oil-based soap if I don't have Castile soap?

Yes, you can substitute any gentle, oil-based liquid soap like Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds or liquid coconut oil soap. Avoid dish soaps as they can leave behind residue.

What can I clean with my homemade all-purpose cleaner?

This DIY cleaner can be used to clean almost any hard, non-porous surface including countertops, appliances, windows, mirrors, floors, walls, tables, and more.

How long does the cleaner concentrate last?

Stored in an airtight container out of sunlight, the concentrate will last up to 6 months. Be sure to shake before each use to recombine ingredients.

Can I make a foaming hand soap variation?

Yes! Simply mix 1 part cleaner concentrate with 1 part water. Then combine 1 part diluted cleaner with 1 part liquid hand soap. Shake before use and refill soap dispenser.