DIY House Cleaning Products

Cleaning the house or apartment can be tedious and for some can cause headaches and nausea due to the chemicals used to clean. Numerous cleaning products leave behind a strong chemical smell that lingers often irritating those in the location.

This is where this blog comes in, with recipes and ways to make your own cleaning products that are good for the environment and for you. The blog will cover glass cleaners, surface cleaners, degreasers along with hand soap and dish soap recipes.

Each one will have a list of ingredients to make it easier to see what is needed. Under the “product supply location” section you will find links to where you can purchase or find the supplies. These are not affiliate links just places I use to buy products in bulk or for a decent price, but most of the ingredients can be found at your local drug store or grocery store.

Notes Before Starting:

For the spray bottle invest in glass spray bottles. The plastic ones are fine in a pinch, but they aren’t recyclable and often absorb the fluids you put into them, making it difficult to change scents or reuse the bottle.

Glass bottles are easily cleaned by putting them (minus the spray head) in the dishwasher or soaking them in a container full of soapy water.

To clean the bottle, place a small amount of soap in the bottle and fill halfway with warm water. Place the sprayer head back on and shake (make sure the sprayer is turned to off position). Turn the sprayer head to the on position and squirt several times to flush out the sprayer head.

Dump the water into the sink and run warm water through the bottle until it is clear of suds. With half of the bottle full of warm water, place the sprayer head back on and squirt a few times to clear the sprayer head of suds and lingering scent.

You can now place in dryer rack to dry and use it again with a different scent or purpose.

Ratio Measuring:

When you see ratio measuring such as 1:2, it means that for every 1cup, 1oz, 1gm of product you add 2cups, 2oz, 2gms of the other product. So for example if you are using glass spray bottles which has a 16oz capacity if the ratio is a 1:2 ratio of water and vinegar that means that for every 1oz of water you use 2oz of vinegar. That means that there are 3oz you add, you would have in total 5oz of water to 10oz of vinegar to fill a 16oz container.

Product Supply Locations:

Castile Soap: can be found at the local grocery store or drug store. You can also find them in speciality shops (such as Whole Foods, Central Market, Sprouts etc…). You can also find it at Target and Walmart. If you are interested in buying in bulk Bulk Apothecary and Bramble Berry are great locations. 

Glass Spray Bottles: Walmart is a great location for these. You can also find them in bulk at SKS Bottles . Most grocery stores and drug stores have the plastic spray bottles if you cannot find them anywhere else.

White Vinegar: White vinegar can be found in any grocery store and Walmart and Target in larger sizes.

Essential Oils: Bramble Berry is an excellent location to find great scents. You can also find them at Majestic Pure or Now Essential Oils. Some speciality stores such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Central Market will have a limited collection of essential oils. Walmart and Target both have a larger selection.

Witch Hazel: Bramble Berry and Bulk Apothecary both have options for bulk purchasing of Witch Hazel. Walmart, Target and local grocery stores all have options for purchasing Witch Hazel.

Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol): local drug stores and grocery stores all have options for buying. You can also find them at Walmart and Target. Currently, it is difficult to find suppliers that have it in bulk.  

Bamboo or Cloth Wipes: You can find a selection at Walmart and Target. Grovia also has 8”x8”options which will still work for the cleaning wipes. You can also go to a fabric store and find fabric that you like and then cut it to the desired size.

Mason Jars: Most grocery stores will have different size mason jars where you find the canning sections. Walmart and Target both have a decent selection as well. Fillmore Containers has bulk options but for what you need for these projects just look at your local grocery store or Walmart and Target.

Foaming Hand Soap Container: The best location for these are Bramble Berry, although it does come in only 10 or 50 count options. Target has the option for glass ones if you only want to buy two.

Squeeze Container: Walmart and Target have refillable squeeze containers. You can also reuse you dishwashing container.

RECIPES 

 Supplies Needed:

• Glass Spray bottle (8oz or 16oz) depending on your preference
• White Vinegar
• Water
• Essential Oil(s) of your choice

 Directions:

For this you will use a 2:1 ratio of water and vinegar. So for every 2oz of water you add 1oz of vinegar.

For the 8oz spray bottle that would be 4oz of water to 2oz of vinegar. This leaves 2oz left before it is full.

For 16oz that would be 10oz of water to 5oz of vinegar. This leaves 1oz left before it is full.

Add the water and vinegar to the bottle. Now add 30 drops of essential oil of your choice. You can always add more to increase the smell or if it is too strong add more water and vinegar slowly to dilute the essential oil scent (this is why we leave room).  I do this by half oz increments so 1/2 oz of water 1/4 oz of vinegar.

Once you get the smell to what you like, slowly add water and vinegar to fill the bottle. Again, I do it by 1/2 oz increments but feel free to find your own method.

Put the sprayer head on the bottle, make sure the sprayer is set to off and shake well. Label the bottle so you know what is in it. Remember to shake bottle vigorously before use.

You do not have to use essential oil scents at all. If you do not mind the scent of vinegar, you can just fill the bottle to the top with vinegar and water and you have your glass cleaner.

 Supplies Needed:

• Glass spray bottle (16oz works best)
• Rubbing Alcohol or Witch Hazel
• Water
• Essential oils of choice
• Sponge (if needed)

Directions:

In a 16oz spray bottle use a 2:1 ratio of water to rubbing alcohol.

If using Witch Hazel, because it has a slightly different dilution rate so a 1:1 ratio is best. However, you can still keep the same cleaning power by using a 2:1 ratio if needed and adding essential oils such as peppermint, spearmint, orange or rosemary to help with the cleaning power.

For really tough stains this is where the sponge comes in. Please throw the sponge away after use, do not reuse it. Do not use the sponge on marble or stainless steel as it will scratch and damage the surface. 

Fill the bottle a little over 3/4 (14oz) full of water. Add between 30-40 drops total of whatever essential oils you like.

If using multiple oils make sure the total together equals 30-40 drops. DO NOT use 30-40 drops of each different essential oil, that makes for an extremely strong scented cleaning agent. For example, if you are going to combine Peppermint and Orange together, Peppermint being your base layer you would add 18 drops of Peppermint and 12 drops of Orange for 30 drops total. 

Fill the remainder (2oz) with a 1:1 ratio of water and rubbing alcohol or witch hazel.

Place the sprayer head on the bottle making sure the spout is turned to the off position. Shake well before using. Label the bottle.

Instead of using a spray bottle and paper towels you can also follow the below recipe for wipes that can be used and reused for cleaning surfaces.

The towels can easily be added to the laundry to clean once used.

Supplies Needed:

• 5” x 5” Bamboo Baby Wipes (or any small cloth wipes you find)
• Mason Jar (16oz or 24oz wide mouth jar)
• Water
• Castille Soap
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Essential Oils
• Separate bowl or mason jar

Directions:

With the cloth wipes you can use an old towel that you cut into small 5”x5” squares. You can cut the squares into whatever size you feel is best, the 5”x5” works best for mason jars from what I have found.

In the 16 or 24 oz mason jar, fold the cloths in half then half again. That allows for more to fit into the mason jar. Fill the mason jar 3/4 full of towels.

In a separate bowl or mason jar pour 3oz of rubbing alcohol, 12oz of water, 2tbsp of castile soap, and 30 drops of essential oil. Mix the liquid with a whisk or spoon until well mixed. Add more essential oil if the scent is too weak. Slowly add more water and alcohol a little at a time if the scent is too strong.

Once the liquid is mixed pour the liquid over the towels. There should be some space between the lid and liquid so pour slowly to fill. Screw the lid on the mason jar. Label the mason jar.

When ready to use, squeeze out excess liquid back into the mason jar and use the towel. When finished throw the towel in the laundry and wash.

You can keep refilling the liquid as it gets low. Or make another liquid mixture in a separate mason jar by following the instructions above. Cap it and label. Then use that mixture to refill the jar. You can keep adding cloths as you use them.

Supplies Needed:

• Castile Soap
• Bicarbonate
• Essential Oils
• Sponge (if needed)
• Glass 16oz Spray bottle
• Warm Water 

Directions:

Add 16oz of warm water (it needs to be warm) to the glass spray bottle. Slowly add 1tbsp of bicarbonate and 2tsp of castile soap. Then add 20-30 drops of essential oils.

Place sprayer head on bottle and shake to incorporate all the ingredients. Spray on surface and let sit for 2-5 minutes. You can wipe away with a paper towel, cloth or if more degreasing power is needed use a sponge.

Please be careful if using a sponge as it can scratch and damage surfaces especially stainless steal and marble.

Bicarbonate should not be used on marble or stainless steel due to it damaging the surface. You can leave the bicarbonate out of the recipe and it will still have the degreasing power without damaging the surface. Use a cloth if you need more scrubbing power. 

The most effective essential oils that help with degreasing surfaces are lemon, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, orange, cinnamon and thieves. Thieves being the best one that I have found. Thieves oil is a combination of clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary and lemon. I will substitute lemon with neroli for a stronger degreaser.

You can reuse the mixture. I will take the sprayer head off and pop the spray into the microwave for 10-20 seconds to heat it back up. Let it sit for a while if you get the  mixture too hot. This is not necessary but you do need to remember to shake it well before each use. 

 Supplies Needed:

• 8oz Foaming soap container
• Castile soap
• Oil (grapeseed, avocado, fractionated coconut oil etc…)
• Water
• Essential oils

This is one of my favourite things to make. It has saved a ton of money as this recipe takes minutes to make and a gallon of Castile soap will last for years. It took me one year to fully go through a gallon of Castile soap.

Directions:

In the 8oz foaming soap container add 7oz distilled water, 4tbsp Castile soap, 1tbsp of carrier oil (grapeseed, avocado, fractionated coconut oil etc…) and 20 drops of whatever essential oil you choose. Just remember if you combine several different essential oils they total of all of them should be 20. DO NOT add 20 drops of each essential oil you are using.

Once the container is full. Add the cap and label. Shake well before each use.

If you want to switch the scent of the container first take the cap off and soak the container and cap in hot soapy water for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Fill the container with hot water and soap, put the lid on and pump the lid a few times to clear it of lingering scent.

Empty the container and run warm water through it until all the suds disappear. Put the lid on and pump just water through until the suds disappear. Let the container and cap dry. Now you are ready to add a new scent if you so choose.

Supplies Needed:

• Water
• Kosher Salt
• Castile Soap
• Essential oils
• Extra bowl or container to mix ingredients
• Squeeze Container (or reuse old dishwashing container)

If reusing old dishwasher container just run warm water through it until all the suds disappear and let dry thoroughly.

Most old dishwashing containers are around 28oz which is what the recipe is based on.

Directions:

Pour 16oz of warm water into a bowl and add 1tbsp kosher salt, Himalayan sea salt, or table salt and stir until it dissolves. Add 8oz Castile soap and stir until well incorporated. Add your essential oils 15-20 drops. Double check that the essential oils you are using are safe for ingestion.

Combine the mixture into the old soap container or new squeeze container. Label and shake before each use.

Wrap Up:

These recipes are the ones I have used and like. You can easily google DIY Degreaser, Hand Soap etc… recipes and find other recipes that might work better for you. This will hopefully give you a starting point in terms of DIYing cleaners.

As stated in the beginning, there are no affiliate links. The places mentioned are just places I have found and bought my items from. Feel free to search around and find different places if you so desire.