I began making my own cleaning products a few years ago in an effort to minimize the amount of chemicals I exposed myself and my family to. So many commercial cleaning products are loaded with harsh and often toxic ingredients. If I make my own, I control exactly what goes into the solutions and I know what I’m spraying around my home.
Contrary to what the aisles of shelves of soap, detergents, and sprays would have you believe, you can do a lot with a few simple combinations. Ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap can go a long way in creating several versatile solutions.
Making your own cleaning products is a great way to save money and cut back on waste. You’re buying less of the specialized function cleaners, the few ingredients keep you supplied for a long time, and you can reuse your bottles and containers rather than throwing them away.
Easy All Purpose Cleaning Spray
This easy all purpose cleaning spray was the first cleaning product I ever made at home. I originally heard the idea from my grandmother. I didn’t grow up realizing you could use vinegar to clean with. Or if I did, I didn’t listen. (Sorry Mom!)
I started making it when we began traveling around in our trailer. I was worried about using anything too harsh on the surface areas or putting a lot chemicals into the small space we were occupying.
This spray is incredibly easy and so simple I can’t believe I didn’t try it sooner.
What You Will Need:
- an amber or cobalt blue glass bottle with a spray nozzle lid (I use a 16 oz amber bottle)
- white vinegar (about 1 cup)
- distilled water (about 1 cup)
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
- 5 drops tea tree essential oil
I don’t measure out the vinegar. Instead I just fill up half of my bottle with white vinegar. Then I add my drops of essential oils. I top off with the distilled water and cap it. I shake it well to combine and before each use.
Don’t use vinegar on stone or granite.
This 16 ounce bottle lasts me a few weeks depending on how messy we are at home.
Notes and Variations:
The first time I made this I didn’t even have those essential oils and the water and vinegar were fine in a plastic spray bottle. When I started using the oils, I switched to the amber glass. I use glass whenever I’m working with essential oils because the oils can break down plastic and amber to prevent UV rays from damaging the oils.
There are all sort of essential oils and combinations that could be used here. I use lemon essential oil because it a natural disinfectant and it smells good to me. I recently started adding tea tree essential oil because it has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties as an added boost to my solution.
I have also seen recipes where people use hydrogen peroxide instead or with the vinegar. Some people add a bit of castile soap to their solutions. I haven’t experimented with these variations yet since I’ve been happy with this one. It’s just about finding what works for you.
Other Things I Use These Ingredients For:
- I use tea tree oil in a roller bottle blend to apply to blemishes.
- I diffuse lemon essential oil with peppermint on mornings when I need a boost of alertness.
- I also combine lemon with other oils in a roller bottle blend help allergies.
Do you make your own cleaning products? What are your favorite combinations?
