9 Essential Homemade Cleaning Products (Made From Only 3 Ingredients!)

Homemade & DIY

Jan 6

Written By Innes

I remember the first time I learned it was possible to make cleaning products at home. I was truly amazed! Firstly, that I could make my home fresh and lovely without heavy-duty chemicals, and secondly, that it could be as simple as putting three or four ingredients into a spray bottle. I felt like I’d discovered a wonderful secret, and it was one of the things that set me on a journey to a more natural home.

Today I’m sharing my favourite recipes for cleaning my home. My hope is that these inspire you to create a natural, toxin-free home, just as they did for me.

Why we seek A toxin-free home

You might be wondering why it’s worth caring about cultivating a natural, toxin-free home. I know that back before I lived a slower life, I barely gave a thought to the products I was using. The choice was usually the fastest or most effective product on the shelf. These days I don’t want life to pass me by - even cleaning is a form of meditation!

Alongside a slower pace is a desire for a more sustainable way of living. I want our lives to have as low an impact as possible on the world’s resources. So gone are single-use plastic bottles, plastic sponges and chemicals which can be so harmful to our environment.

But for me the most impactful reason of all is the passion to create a healthy and nurturing environment for my little ones. Harsh chemicals, while often ruled safe, do bring risks of harming tiny lungs and delicate skin. And even without those risks, there is bountiful evidence that children grow up healthier in homes free of antibacterial products. I have a deep belief in gut health and its impact on our wellbeing, so anything that supports and strengthens our microbiome is welcome in our home.

The ingredients

Life is too short to be hunting down obscure ingredients, so I make the cleaners I use every day from just 3 things - white (or distilled) vinegar, castile soap and baking soda (or bicarbonate of soda).

I buy them in bulk from Aga, the lady who runs my local zero waste store, but if you don’t have a lovely local shop then you will be able to find them easily online or in a supermarket.

Along with these three ingredients, you might also choose to add essential oils. Naturally derived peppermint, eucalyptus, grapefruit and tea tree are some of my favourites - both for their beautiful scents and, in some cases, gentle cleaning properties. One of the pure joys of homemade is that you can make it a little different each time. I’ve just about perfected the art of making my kitchen smell like a spa.

Learn more about my natural approach to home cleaning on Instagram or on this blog post sharing my weekly cleaning schedule.

How to make homemade cleaning products

All-Purpose Cleaner

Do you ever feel like your little people are more focussed on getting their supper on the floor than into their tummies? Thanks to the munchkins I make my way through a somewhat baffling amount of all-purpose cleaner. This one is wonderfully simple to make and works like a charm where sticky hands have been.

1 tablespoon of castile soap to 500ml water

Optional: 4-6 drops essential oil

Glass Cleaner

I felt a little peeved when I found out that shop-bought glass cleaner is often similar to this homemade version! It couldn’t be more simple, and does a beautiful job on both windows and mirrors. Don’t worry about the smell, it will fade quickly.

1 part water

1 part vinegar

This all-purpose cleaner works like a charm where sticky hands have been

Degreaser

Perfect for stubborn grime on hard surfaces like tubs, tiles and worktops, this degreaser has come to my aid many times. It’s best left to work for 5 minutes before wiping away. And like the glass cleaner, the scent can be a little overpowering, but it doesn’t linger.

1 part vinegar

1 part castile soap

Stain Remover and Deodoriser

There must be 1,001 different uses for bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda as it’s sometimes known. This magical little compound works as a stain remover, deodoriser and cleaner, not to mention its ability to soften water. Here are some ideas, though do make sure you test them in an inconspicuous area first:

Sprinkle over a stain or area of mould. Leave for 10 minutes, scrub gently with a damp cloth and then wipe away.
Place a few tablespoons into a small jar and cover with a thin piece of cheesecloth. Place it at the back of your fridge to keep it smelling fresh.
Sprinkle it into a carpet or rug and let it sit for 15 minutes to remove odours, then vacuum.
Sprinkle it generously over your stainless steel sink, leave for 10 minutes and then buff with a cloth. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a shinier sink!
Sprinkle into your bins once a week to help control odours.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous you can make toilet fizzers from bicarbonate of soda and citric acid.

Mould remover

Removing mould is one of the least palatable jobs in the house, but it’s made a little more pleasant when you use natural cleaners. This one is as simple as it comes! Mix the ingredients together and scrub over the mould with a toothbrush. Wipe away and repeat until the stain has been removed.

1 part vinegar

1 part bicarbonate of soda

And if you’ve got enough on your plate already...

I know that despite our best intentions, life can be busy, especially with littles! If you’re not quite ready to make your own cleaning products, there are wonderfully so many brands that create eco-friendly, beautiful options to use at home. Some of my favourites are Clean Living, Iron & Velvet and Bower Collective.