Embrace natural ingredients and bid farewell to commercial cleaners with this Homemade All Purpose Cleaner! This simple recipe offers a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to store-bought cleaners. So say hello to a cleaner, and greener home with this effective homemade all purpose cleaner, crafted from simple ingredients.
Check out some of our other DIY recipes, like this Easy Homemade Granite Cleaner, Homemade Tallow Balm, or Homemade Raw Honey Face Wash.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- white vinegar
- water (filtered, or distilled)
- essential oils
- castile soap
See recipe card for quantities.
Equipment
- 2 cup measuring cup
- 16 oz glass spray bottle
- funnel
- label maker (optional)
Instructions
In a 2 cup measuring cup, combine white vinegar and water. Add 2-3 drops of liquid castile soap.
Add your favorite cleansing essential oils. Stir gently to combine ingredients. Check out the list of essential oil blends below for inspiration.
Using a funnel, transfer your all purpose cleaner to a clean spray bottle.
Screw the lid on and shake well. Spray onto surfaces and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
Please Note: Vinegar based all purpose cleaners are not suitable for stone surfaces, such as marble, quartz, or granite. The acetic acid in vinegar can etch the surface of these stones, leading to dullness, discoloration, or even pitting over time. Similarly, on hardwood floors, the acidic nature of vinegar could potentially damage the finish, leading to dullness or streaking. For stone surfaces, try our Easy Homemade Granite Cleaner. And on hardwood floors, I simply use a gentle solution of diluted liquid castile soap (such as Dr Bronner).
Essential Oil Benefits
While lemon essential oil and tea tree oil are my top choices for keeping my home clean, there are a few additional oils to consider when preparing this all-purpose cleaner.
- Lemon Essential Oil: Lemon essential oil makes a fantastic addition to homemade cleaners thanks to its antimicrobial properties. The fresh citrus scent also helps to mask the vinegar smell!
- Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is a potent antimicrobial and antifungal, providing a natural alternative to commercial cleaning products.
- Lavender essential oil: Lavender oil possesses natural antimicrobial and deodorizing properties, which can help neutralize odors.
- Thyme essential oil: Thyme oil is a potent antimicrobial and antifungal, making it an excellent addition to any natural cleaning recipes.
- Orange essential oil: Orange essential oil would make an excellent addition to any DIY all purpose cleaner thanks to its cleansing properties and uplifting citrus scent. Orange essential oil is naturally effective at cutting through grease, grime, and soap scum leaving household surfaces sparkling clean.
Essential Oil Blends
- Uplifting Lemon Tea Tree Blend
20 drops of lemon essential oil
10 drops tea tree oil - Clean & Fresh Blend
10 drops Tea Tree oil
10 drops Lemon essential oil
10 drops Lavender essential oil - Citrus Spice Blend
10 drops Orange essential oil
10 drops Thyme essential oil
10 drops Lemon essential oil - Herbal Cleanse Blend
10 drops Thyme essential oil
10 drops Tea Tree oil
10 drops Lavender essential oil - Zesty & Refreshing Blend
10 drops Lemon essential oil
10 drops Orange essential oil
5 drops Tea Tree oil
5 drops Thyme essential oil
Storage
The shelf life of any homemade vinegar-based cleaner can vary depending on several factors, including the type of vinegar used, the presence of other ingredients, and how it’s stored. Generally, vinegar-based cleaners can last for several months to a year if stored properly. However, I find I run out of all purpose cleaner and need to whip up a new batch about once a week. Here are some tips to maximize the shelf life of your homemade cleaner:
- Use distilled white vinegar: White vinegar tends to have a longer shelf life compared to other types of vinegar. It’s also effective for cleaning purposes.
- Store in a cool, dark place: Exposure to light and heat can degrade the effectiveness of the cleaner over time. Store your homemade cleaner in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or pantry.
- Use clean containers: Make sure the bottles you use to store the cleaner are clean and dry before pouring in the mixture. This helps prevent contamination and extends the shelf life.
- Avoid using metal containers: Vinegar can react with certain metals, such as aluminum or iron, which may affect the quality of the cleaner. Opt for glass bottles instead.
- Check for signs of spoilage: If your homemade cleaner develops an unusual odor, changes color significantly, or shows signs of mold growth, it’s best to discard it and make a fresh batch.
Top tip
Be sure to shake the bottle well before use! Essential oils will rise to the top when the bottle is still.
FAQ
No, this cleaner is not suitable for any stone surfaces. The acetic acid in vinegar can etch the surface of these stones, leading to dullness, discoloration, or even pitting over time.
While vinegar is a key ingredient in this cleaner, the addition of essential oils helps to mask its strong scent. I find the combination of vinegar, lemon essential oil and tea tree oil leaves my home smelling fresh and clean without the distinct, overpowering vinegar smell.
Tap water may contain minerals or additives such as chlorine, which can leave residues or streaks on surfaces when used in a cleaner. I have found that filtered water left a cleaner end result.
Castile soap is a natural, vegetable-based soap that can enhance the cleaning power of any homemade cleaner. It helps to lift dirt and grime from surfaces, providing a deeper clean.
Check Out More Holistic House Recipes Here:
How to Make Homemade All Purpose Cleaner That Really Works!
Equipment
- 2 cup measuring cup
- glass spray bottle
- funnel
- label maker optional
Materials
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water, filtered or distilled
- 2-3 drops liquid castile soap
- 30 drops essential oils
Instructions
- In a 2-cup measuring cup, add 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of filtered water
- Add 2-3 drops of liquid castile soap
- Add 30 drops of your favorite essential oils (see post above for suggestions)
- Stir gently, and using a funnel, transfer your all purpose cleaner to a clean spray bottle
- Screw on the lid and shake well. Spray onto surfaces and wipe with a clean microfiber cloth.
Leave a Reply