We all know that commercial cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can be both harmful to our bodies as well as the planet Not to mention the budget-busting expense and all the waste produced by those empty plastic bottles and extra packaging. We’ve been creating our own cleaning formulas for years and love how easy and inexpensive they are to create.
Great to have on hand year-round, these homemade cleansers can replace the conventional cleaning products in your cupboard. With just a few basics like vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and essential oils, you'll be ready to get started. It feels so good to use natural cleaners in your home while saving money!
Super Surface Spray
Ingredients
- 16 oz. spray bottle
- 8 oz. distilled white vinegar
- 6 oz. distilled water
- 2 oz. vodka or rubbing alcohol
- 10 drops organic lavender essential oil
- 5 drops organic rosemary essential oil
- 5 drops organic lemon essential oil
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in the spray bottle and shake well before each use.
Herby Soft Scrub
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup castille soap
- 15 drops organic rosemary or tea tree essential oil
- 1 tsp. organic vegetable glycerin or aloe vera gel (optional)
Directions
- Mix all ingredients in a glass pint-sized jar until you have a nice paste-like consistency.
- You can add the vegetable glycerin or aloe vera gel if desired to keep the blend moist. Use to scrub tubs, sinks, and tile surfaces.
- Rinse away with water or a vinegar solution.
Surface Soap Spray
Ingredients
- 16 oz. spray bottle
- 14 oz. water or organic rosemary hydrosol
- 3 Tbsp. castille soap
- 15 drops organic tea tree essential oil
- 15 drops organic oregano essential oil
Directions
- Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle.
- Use this spray to clean bathroom surfaces.
Fab-Breeze Spray
Ingredients
- 16 oz. spray bottle
- 3 oz. unflavored vodka
- 15 drops organic lavender, ylang ylang, sweet orange, or your favorite essential oil
- 12 oz organic hydrosol of your choice
Directions
- Mix all ingredients in spray bottle and shake well before each use.
- Spray to refresh your mattress, pillows, bed linens, couches, and fabric covered chairs, or to clean winter blankets before storing for the year.
Natural Lemon Furniture Polish
Ingredients
- 16 oz. spray bottle
- 1 cup organic olive oil
- 25 drops organic lemon essential oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
Directions
- Mix together in spray bottle and shake well before each use.
- Spray onto a soft rag or directly onto wood furniture and be sure to buff the surface dry immediately.
Tropical Carpet Deodorizer
Ingredients
- 1 cup baking soda
- 10 drops organic lemongrass essential oil
- 10 drops organic mandarin essential oil
- 10 drops organic ginger essential oil
- 1/4 cup organic lavender flowers
- Mix together in a bowl and place into powder containers.
- Then sprinkle the aromatic blend onto your carpet.
- Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes and then vacuum as normal. Makes a wonderful mattress deodorizer, too!
Wood Floor Mop Formula
Ingredients
- 16 oz. spray bottle
- 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1 tsp organic vegetable glycerin
- 20 drops organic lemon essential oil
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and fill remainder of bottle with distilled water.
- Gently shake to combine.
- Spray, mop as usual, and quickly buff dry to protect your floors. Your floors will be glossy with a lovely lemon scent!
Mop-It-Up Formula
Ingredients
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1/4 cup castille soap
- 20 drops organic lavender essential oil
- 20 drops organic sweet orange essential oil
Directions
- Mix the ingredients with 2 gallons of hot water in a bucket to mop away dirt and grime.
- For wood floors, leave out the castille soap and wipe spots clean by hand.
This is the perfect liquid cleaner for tile floors, vinyl, or linoleum.
Essential Oils that are great for Cleaning
Interested in More Green Living Recipes?
Special thanks to Tara Michelucci for inspiring these recipes.
