Top Ten Homemade Cleaning Products

Mandy Mac November 24, 2015

We are on a cleaning spree here at RealEstateSINY.com! Get ready for the next step: whether you are just cleaning or prepping your home to sell…its scrubbing time! Store-bought cleaners are filled with harmful chemicals and funny fumes that should not be inhaled. We want everyone in your household to stay healthy so we came up with a list of ten homemade cleaning products.

You will need: White Vinegar, baking soda, castile soap, liquid dishwashing soap, tea-tree oil, lavender-pine-and-lemon essential oil, lemon juice, olive oil, and cornstarch.

  1. Tub and Tile Cleaner: Mix together ¾ cup baking soda, ¼ cup castile soap, 1-tablespoon water and 10 drops of tea-tree oil. Spread the mixture in your shower, rub lightly with a rag or sponge, and then rinse off.
  2. Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl, then slowly pour in 1-cup vinegar, be sure to cover as much of the bowl as possible (it is normal for the vinegar to react with the baking soda). Next, add 10 drops of tea-tree oil. Use your toilet brush to scrub and remove any rings or stains. Finally, flush.
  3. Window and Glass Cleaner:  Pour 1 cup of vinegar into a spray bottle. Fill the bottle with water until it is ¾ full and add 10 drops of lemon essential oil; shake well. Spray onto window or glass surface and wipe off with a lint-free rag, or even newspaper.
  4. Stainless Steel Cleaner:  Mix together 2 tablespoons of baking soda, ½ cup vinegar, and 2 cups warm water into a spray bottle. Spray the stainless steel surface or sink, then wipe clean with a lint-free rag.
  5. Furniture Polish: In a bowl, add 10 drops lemon essential oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1-tablespoon olive oil; whisk together. Use a soft cloth; dip into mixture and wipe furniture.
  6. Floor Cleaner. Mix ¼ cup Vinegar into a quart of warm water. Add 5 drops of pine, lemon, or lavender essential oil to the mix to cover up the vinegar smell.
  7. Carpet Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda over carpet and let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum. This will kill any smell or bacteria living in your carpet. For fresh stains and grease: sprinkle cornstarch over stain; let it sit for 10 minutes, then vacuum.
  8. Homemade Magic Eraser: Make a paste out of baking soda and water. Use a sponge to dip into the mixture and wipe the stain/dirt/scuff-mark away.
  9. Drain Cleaner: Pour ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup vinegar down your clogged drain. After waiting 15 minutes, flush the drain with 4 cups of boiling water (or hot tap water if you have plastic pipes.)
  10. All Purpose Cleaning Spray: Fill ¾ of a spray bottle with water. Add a tablespoon of your favorite liquid dishwashing soap and 5 drops of lavender essential oil. Shake well.

Going the homemade and natural route in cleaning is key for a healthy and safe home, especially if you have children or pets. Not only that, it makes for a happier planet.

Have any other tips for homemade cleaning? Share them in the comments below or join our conversation on Facebook.

Check out our Pinterest Top Ten Board for more pictures and how-to links.