Make 16 Easy DIY Cleaning Products With Household Items

Making your own DIY cleaning products is easy with items in your pantry. You can save a lot of money by making your own DIY cleaning products instead of buying them at the store. Make your own homemade cleaners the next time you’re out of your favorite cleaning product instead of going to the store. It’s a great way to keep your budget in check.

1. DIY All-Purpose Cleaner​

To make a Homemade All-purpose Cleaner you will need the following:

1/2 cup distilled white vinegar

One teaspoon of liquid Castile soap

2 cups of water

20 – 30 drops essential oil (Feel free to add various scents of oil)

How to use all-purpose cleaner: 

This DIY homemade all-purpose cleaner can be used to sanitize trash cans, clean bathroom, and shower surfaces, and wipe various types of surfaces. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. 

Note: DO NOT use this on marble, granite, and other porous surfaces because it may cause mild erosion since acid should never be used on these types of surfaces.

2. DIY Glass Cleaner​

My go-to glass cleaner is Sprayway Streak Free Glass Cleaner. There are, however, more natural methods to clean glass. 

To make a Homemade Glass Cleaner, you will need:

2 cups of water

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup 70% rubbing alcohol

How to Clean Glass Windows and Mirrors:

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle

Spray the mixture onto a microfiber cloth

Wipe the mirrors or windows with it.

Use dry microfiber glass cleaning cloths to buff any streaks out of the glass

Tip: Clean windows on days with cooler temperatures

Alternative Method: I also enjoy cleaning mirrors and glass with plain 3% peroxide. Learn more about this method here: Hydrogen Peroxide – What You Need To Know Now

3. DIY Brass Cleaner

To clean Brass Objects you will need: 

Lemon juice or white distilled vinegar

Salt

Sponge or cloth

How to clean Brass Objects with Homemade Brass Cleaner:

Dip a damp cloth or sponge into the lemon juice or vinegar

Add the salt and rub the surface with light friction.

Rinse.

Buff with a dry microfiber cloth

Use this Brass Cleaning Method to clean the following:

Brass knobs or handles, Brass musical instruments, Brass railings, Technical instruments like compasses, and other various brass items

4. DIY Heavy-Duty Scrub

Homemade heavy-duty scrub is great for rust stains on porcelain and enamel sinks and bathtubs. 

To make homemade Heavy-Duty Scrub, you will need:

1/2 of a Lemon and Borax Powder

How to clean with Lemon and Borax:

After dipping the lemon in the Borax Powder, scrub the area and rinse it. Use a microfiber cloth to dry and buff it.

Tip: This Lemon Scrub Is NOT INTENDED FOR MARBLE OR GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

Alternative: Mixing Dawn dish soap with warm white vinegar in a spray bottle is another heavy-duty cleaning option. Scrub tough dirt and soap scum with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

5. DIY Marble Cleaner​

Many people use random types of cleaners to clean their marble countertops without realizing that this may damage them over time. Cleaning marble is very simple. 

All that you will need to Clean Marble Surfaces are:

2 drops of dish soap and 2 cups of warm water

How to Clean Marble Countertops:

Marble countertops and all other natural stone countertops should be cleaned with a mild solution of dishwashing detergent and water. 

Simply, wet a sponge with the soap-water solution and wipe down the surfaces.

Then, rinse the surfaces thoroughly with a rag soaked in clean water to remove the soapy residue.

Finally, use a microfiber cloth to buff the marble dry. You want to make sure all surfaces are dry and water has not sat on them. Please do not allow them to air dry. A marble countertop’s glossy finish can be damaged by too much water sitting on it for an extended period of time, causing dull spots to appear.

Tip: NEVER use anything acidic on marble or stone unless you intend to damage it

6. DIY Oven Cleaner​

So the inside of your oven has been collecting charred bits for a while, and it needs to be cleaned. Using oven cleaners containing harsh chemicals would be highly unappealing since the oven is intimately involved in cooking food. But what do you use to clean the oven? 

We have the perfect way to solve this dilemma using a super easy DIY natural and homemade oven cleaning method. Your grimy oven will sparkle like new in no time at all.

To make a Homemade Oven Cleaner you will need:

1/2 Baking Soda

Vinegar

A few tablespoons of water

How to clean your oven with DIY Oven Cleaner:

Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with a few tablespoons of water to make a paste.

Apply the paste to the walls of your oven, lightly scrub it and let it rest for a couple of hours.

Pour some vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it over the paste. It should foam up.

Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe it clean.

Note: If you are dealing with some severe stuck-on gunk, you can repeat these steps a couple of times until the oven is spotless. 

As an alternative, you can spray the oven with vinegar first, sprinkle baking soda directly onto the sponge, scrub, and then let it soak overnight.

7. DIY Drain Cleaner​

There is nothing more disgusting than taking a shower with a dirty, clogged drain. You don’t want dirty water accumulating around your bare feet while you shower. Thankfully, you can easily get rid of blocked and smelly drains with this simple solution.

To make a Homemade Drain Cleaner, you will need: 

1/2 cup of baking soda

1/4 cup of white vinegar

Hot boiling water

How to clean your shower drains with DIY Drain Cleaner:

First, pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/4 cup white vinegar. 

The mixture will begin to bubble up and foam.

Next, allow the mixture to sit for about an hour.

After an hour has passed, continue by rinsing the shower drain with hot, boiling water.

Lastly, repeat this process until the drain is clear and the water drains quickly.

8. DIY Quartz Countertop Cleaner​

Granite countertops are popular, but have you ever heard of quartz countertops? Quartz is actually harder than granite, making it more durable. You can keep your quartz countertops relatively bacteria-free since quartz is nearly indestructible and not a porous surface like granite.

What is the best way to clean quartz countertops? 

To make a Homemade Quartz Countertop Cleaner, you will need:

1/2 of 70% rubbing alcohol

20 – 30 drops of essential oil

16 oz spray bottle

1/2 tsp castile soap

How to clean Quartz Countertops with DIY Quartz Countertop Cleaner: 

Begin by combining all of the above ingredients in the spray bottle.

Shake the spray bottle well and then spray the mixture onto the countertops.

Wipe the counters clean by using a microfiber cloth.

9. Powerful DIY Shower Cleaner​

Bathroom showers can be tedious and challenging to clean. In bathrooms, shower tracks accumulate mold and mildew, soap scum is hard to remove, and shower glass stains easily due to hard water. As a result, many people avoid it. 

If you’re asking yourself what’s the best homemade shower cleaner, I had the same question until I came across this article: This Is The Most Effective Homemade Cleaner In My Arsenal. This is where I discovered the effortless yet effective shower cleaning method described below. 

To make a Homemade Shower Cleaner, you will need:

2 cups of Dawn dish soap

2 cups of white vinegar

Spray bottle

How to clean your shower with DIY Shower Cleaner: 

First, measure equal parts of Dawn dish soap and white vinegar.

Next, Heat vinegar in the microwave before pouring it into a spray bottle. 

Then, add the Dawn dish soap to the spray bottle with the warmed vinegar and shake gently to mix it. 

Next, spray the mixture liberally around your shower and tub and let the mixture sit for up to 30 minutes. 

Continue by scrubbing the tub and shower vigorously.

After everything has been scrubbed to satisfaction, rinse well. 

Last but not least, dry and buff the shower and tub with a dry microfiber cloth to create a deep, flawless shine.

Note: You should use this cleaner in a well-ventilated bathroom, as it is very potent. Before performing this cleaning method, open windows and turn on the fan.

10. How To Clean Baseboards Naturally​

Dirty baseboards stand out like a sore thumb, no matter how spotless your house may be. Dust and dirt can accumulate quickly on those little ledges. Below are steps from HGTV.com for cleaning them efficiently. 

To clean baseboards, you will need:

A Swiffer Duster

A Vacuum with vacuum attachments

8 cups of water

2 TBs Dawn Dish Soap

1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar

A Bucket

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

A Toothbrush

How to clean baseboards, naturally:

(1) With a Swiffer Duster, dust the baseboards.

(2) Using the vacuum’s attachment tools, vacuum the crevices and corners.

(3) Combine warm water, liquid dish soap, and vinegar in a bucket. 

(4) Dip your magic eraser into your solution, wring it out, and scrub your baseboards gently.  

(5) Use a toothbrush to clean the grooves in the trim. 

(6) You should dry the baseboards with a microfiber cloth, as leaving water on them may damage the wood.

Note: If you don’t have a vacuum, you can use a broom instead. 

How to protect baseboards from dust:

You can prevent dust from collecting on your baseboards by rubbing them with a dryer sheet attached to a Swiffer mop after cleaning them. Dust is prevented from building up on baseboards by coating them with a dirt-repellent sheen that keeps them clean. It will keep dust at bay for weeks! When your baseboards are sparkling clean, you can be assured that your whole house is clean from top to bottom!

11. DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polisher​

The Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner kit is one of the best commercial stainless steel cleaners for shining kitchen appliances. However, specialty cleaning products like this are pretty expensive. The average cost of this kit on Walmart.com is $25. 

Many people are searching for the best homemade stainless steel cleaner. The options for cleaning stainless steel are honestly endless because other stainless steel cleaning methods include baby oil, water, WD-40, club soda, olive oil, or even white vinegar. You can use Sprayway Glass Cleaner or lemon oil furniture polish as alternatives to clean stainless steel. 

The key to keeping stainless steel “stainless” involves proper maintenance and care, according to the article: 10 Surprising Ways to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances. Using a product specially designed to clean stainless steel is the best method. Unfortunately, this is often the most expensive method. We found a DIY approach in the article if you are looking for a more economical option for cleaning and shining your kitchen appliances.

To clean stainless steel with DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner, you will need:

White distilled vinegar

Olive oil

at least three microfiber cloths

How to clean stainless steel with Homemade Stainless Steel Cleaner:

(1) Pour vinegar on one of your microfiber cloths and wipe the grime off of the appliance. 

(2) Use a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture from the appliance. 

(3) On a clean, dry microfiber cloth, pour a little olive oil and rub it into the stainless steel. 

(4) Continue to add shine by buffing with the dry cloth. 

12. DIY Hardwood Floor Cleaner​

One 32-ounce bottle of hardwood floor cleaner costs between $7 and $25, while a single bottle of castile soap can yield nearly 200 32-ounce mixtures.

Bobvila.com states that not all-natural cleaning products are suitable for hardwood floors. When using vinegar or lemon, you can remove your floors’ finish, making them appear dull and cloudy. Scrubbing too vigorously with a cleaning tool or adding baking soda to a cleaning solution can damage the finish. 

Believe it or not, dirt can be removed from hardwood floors without damaging the finish. Using castile soap and a microfiber pad, this recipe can gently clean the floors.

You will need the following items to clean hardwood floors:

1 tsp of castile soap

4 cups of water

10 drops of essential oil

Spray bottle

Microfiber mop pad and replacement mop pads

Extra water for rinsing

How to clean hardwood floors with Homemade Hardwood Floor Cleaner:

(1) Mix the castile soap, essential oil, and water in a spray bottle. 

(2) Test the solution on a discrete area of the floor before proceeding with cleaning the entire floor.

(3) Spray the solution onto the floor and then, use the dry microfiber mop to clean one small section at a time. 

(4) Cleaning the floors requires rinsing and wringing out the mop pad as it becomes soiled from picking up dirt from the floor. 

(5) Replace the mop pad and continue to clean the floors until the mop pad is no longer becoming soiled and dirty throughout the floor cleaning process.

13. DIY Laminate Floor Cleaner​

Keeping laminate floors clean is just as important as cleaning any other type of flooring, but mopping laminate flooring with too much water is not recommended. To control the amount of moisture that comes into contact with the flooring, create a solution in a spray bottle instead.

On CleanMama.com, I found a homemade laminate floor cleaner recipe, which claims the combination of ingredients is excellent for getting the floors perfectly clean. The vinegar does most of the cleaning in the recipe, while the alcohol speeds up the drying process and sanitizes the laminate floors. 

To Make Laminate Floor Cleaner You Will Need: 

1/2 cup of white vinegar

1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol

1/2 cup of filtered or distilled water 

5 drops of essential oil

Glass spray bottle

How To Clean Laminate Floors: 

(1) Mix all ingredients together in a spray bottle and shake gently.

(2) Spray the solution on a small area of laminate flooring

(3) Mop the floor with a microfiber mop pad or a Swiffer mop, focusing on one section at a time.

(4) Repeat until the entire floor has been cleaned.  

Note: I personally love using my O-Cedar spin mop with this recipe, any microfiber mop should work just fine. 

14. DIY Carpet Cleaner​

The task of cleaning carpets can be challenging. A carpet holds more dirt, dust, bacteria, and other soil than a hard floor. Dirt, oils, and residue accumulate on carpet faster than on hard surfaces, making it more difficult to clean. Dirt and grit can also penetrate deep into carpets, especially those with a high pile.

To clean the carpet with Homemade Carpet Cleaner, you will need:

Baking soda

1 part – distilled white vinegar

3 parts of warm water

Scrub brush

How to spot clean carpet with DIY Carpet Cleaner:

(1) Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet

(2) In a bucket, combine one part vinegar with 3 parts of warm water

(3) Dip a scrub brush into your solution and then scrub the carpet

(4) Repeat these steps until the dirt is removed

Note: For tough stains, use more vinegar and less water when making your solution. Keep in mind that vinegar is acidic and should be used with caution.

15. DIY Upholstery Cleaner​

If you have ever wondered how you can clean your own upholstery, then you’re in luck! Cleaning your upholstery is beneficial because it helps maintain its appearance, eliminates stains and odors, and prevents dirt and grime from building up. Keeping your furniture clean can be challenging if you have children or pets. 

For upholstery cleaning with Homemade Upholstery Cleaner, you will need: 

Baking soda

Water

2 cups of distilled white vinegar

2 TBs of laundry detergent 

Scrub brush

How to clean upholstery with DIY Upholstery Cleaner: 

(1) Mix baking soda and water to make a paste

(2) Gently scrub the paste into the stains

(3) Combine 2 cups of warm water with 2 tablespoons of laundry detergent

(4) Then add 2 cups of vinegar

(5) Scrub the upholstery with this solution

(6) Using a damp microfiber cloth, wipe everything down

(7) Let the furniture air dry or use a fan to speed up the drying process

16. DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner​

Borax is a multipurpose household cleaning product that can remove hard water stains from toilets. 

To clean your toilet bowl with Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner, you will need:

1/2 cup of Borax

1/4 cup of Borax

1 cup of lemon juice

1 cup of white vinegar

How to clean your toilet bowl with DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner:

(1) Mix ½ cup of Borax and a cup of lemon juice 

(2) Sprinkle ¼ cup of Borax into the toilet bowl

(3) Scrub with a toilet brush

(4) Add 1 cup of warm vinegar

(5) Scrub again.