Before you start panicking about running out of cleaning products in the house, don’t run to the store just yet. You may have all things you need in your pantry to your very own safe and effective DIY homemade cleaners.
Yes, you read that right! Not only will you save more money on buying cleaning products that may contain harmful chemicals, you also save more time from having to go on a trip to the store.
But before we start with our DIY recipes, here’s a list of some of the common items in the pantry that you can use to make your very own cleaning products:
- Distilled White Vinegar – It’s a very effective non-toxic disinfecting agent. It has no coloring agent and won’t stain any surfaces compared to the darker-colored vinegar. You can easily buy a gallon for only $3.28.
- Baking Soda – It’s one of the most used cleaning agents. Paired with water, it can dissolve grease and dirt effectively. You can buy a 3.5 lb baking soda for only $16.87 and use it for a lot of things! This article shows several baking soda hacks that you can try.
- Essential Oils – These can be used for disinfecting, removing stains, and purifying. Most essential oils are naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial. Some are better than others. You can choose from a set of essential oils or a cleaning blend. Often, tea tree oil will do when it comes to helping you clean. If you have pets, better not use essential oils as it can make your cats and dogs sick.
- Lemon – Aside from being a healthy addition to your groceries, it can also help in cleaning. It is antibacterial and antiseptic. Plus, its citrus smell is great for naturally making the house smell good.
- Rubbing Alcohol – It’s perfect for making surfaces clean and shiny again especially when it comes to cleaning glasses. A 16 oz alcohol is only around $2.27. If you run out of rubbing alcohol, cheap vodka will do.
- Cornstarch – It’s perfect as a glass cleaning solution. For a 3.5 lb container, you’ll only pay around $10.
- Salt – Table salt will do for cleaning however coarser salt such as coarse kosher salt is a better option.
DIY Kitchen Sink Drain and Garbage Disposal Cleaner
You’ll need:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 cup white vinegar
- Boiling water
- Ice
- 1 cup salt
- 1 whole lemon
First, remove your drain catch and pour your baking soda and white vinegar into the drain. Let that mixture work for a few minutes. You might hear a fizzing sound while these do their job.
Then, boil a few cups of water and pour it down the drain. Fill your drain with ice and add a cup of salt on top.
Run the faucet with cold water and turn on your garbage disposal. Let it run until the salt and ice are gone.
For the final touch, cut the lemon into two (or into smaller pieces if your garbage disposal is finicky when it comes to size) and add them while your faucet is still running.
This DIY recipe is also great for declogging your drainer.
DIY Carpet Stains Remover
You’ll need:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Nylon (or similar) scrub brush
- Vacuum cleaner
Don’t you just hate it when your carpet get stained? You start to think of all the work and cleaning you’ll have to do.
Lucky you, you’ve come to the right place! Simply cover the stain in baking soda and spray the stain with a mixture of a half of vinegar and a half of water.
Wait for a few hours. Around 3 to 4 hours will do. Then, scrub gently into the stain. This will help the cleaning solutions penetrate into the carpet.
Afterward, let the solution dry overnight and vacuum the next day. If you find that there are still residues, use a clean cloth to scrub it off.
DIY Wooden or Tiled Floors Cleaner
You’ll need:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 gallon warm water
- Essential Oil (optional)
- Spray mop, or bucket and cloth
To clean your tiled and wooden floors, all you need is to wipe your floors with a mixture of a gallon of warm water and a cup of white vinegar. If the smell of the vinegar bothers you, you might want to try adding a few drops of essential oil. Lemon, orange, lavender, eucalyptus, or vanilla works great!
DIY Gunk Remover (From Pots and Pans)
You’ll need:
- Dryer sheets
- Water
- Spatula
- Baking soda (optional)
It’s frustrating to have to clean the gunk from pots and pans just after you have a delicious meal. Save yourself from all the work and let this help you.
First, fill your pots and pans with hot water. Then, add a dryer sheet in each pot and pan. Be careful not to burn yourself.
Now, let the waiting game begin! Let it sit overnight.
In the morning, remove the dryer sheets and use a flat-edged spatula to remove any of the remaining gunk.
The dryer sheet is a powerful solution that can clean most gunks but if you’re stuck with stubborn gunk, use some baking soda.
Simply remove the water and use the baking soda to coat the gunk. Let this sit for several hours, then use the spatula to remove any gunk left.
DIY Clothing Stains Remover
You’ll need:
- 1 gallon hot water
- 1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent
- 1 cup chlorine bleach
Mix the hot water, dishwasher detergent and bleach in a bowl (make sure it’s not aluminum). Soak the stained cloth for around 15 to 20 minutes.
Check if the stain is still there. If it is, soak the cloth a bit longer. Then wash.
DIY Stuck-on Materials in the Oven Remover
You’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Bowl
- Water
- Non-scratching sponge or hard-edged spatula
This one’s easy. All you need is some baking soda and water. Mix these in a bowl to form a paste. Depending on the area you need to clean, you might need to make more paste.
Then, rub the paste into the areas that need cleaning.
Let this sit overnight and use a spatula or sponge to remove the stuck-on materials in your oven in the morning.
Easy peasy, right?
DIY Soap Scum, Grime, and Mildew Remover (From the Shower or Tub)
You’ll need:
- 1/4 cup liquid dish soap
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber cloth or other cleaning cloth
- Water
- Funnel or measuring cup
Start by heating the vinegar in your microwave oven until it’s extremely hot. Use a microwave-safe dish for this.
In a spray bottle, add the vinegar and the liquid dish soap then mix. Feel free to adjust the recipe depending on your needs.
Spray the affected areas. Make sure that they should be fully coated. Your mixture shouldn’t be runny.
Wait for 30 to 45 minutes or leave the solution overnight.
Afterward, rinse using some cloth and water.
DIY Toilet Deep-cleaner
You’ll need:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon tea tree oil (optional)
- Spray bottle
- Toilet brush
- Paper towels or cloth
- Pumice stone (optional)
Most toilet cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to our body. This DIY toilet deep-cleaner is easier to make and doesn’t contain any of the harsh chemicals, too.
To start, pour the vinegar in the spray bottle. You can add tea tree oil to help with the smell. Spray this in the toilet bowl, seat, lid and base.
Then, sprinkle the baking soda all around the toilet bowl. Using a toilet brush, scrub.
If you have stubborn stains and mineral deposits, use the pumice stone. Before using it, test in a particular area to make sure that it won’t scratch the toilet’s surface.
As for the lid, seat and anywhere else outside of the bowl, use cloth or toilet paper to clean.
DIY Glass Cleaner
You’ll need:
- 1/4 cup white or cider vinegar
- 2 cups warm water
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber cloth
This simple recipe is perfect for any glass surface. Simply mix the vinegar, rubbing alcohol, warm water, and cornstarch. Shake thoroughly.
Spray the mixture onto the glass. Use the microfiber cloth to wipe.
There’s no need to buy all those expensive cleaning solutions when you can easily create your very own DIY homemade cleaners! It’s more eco-friendly and better for your wallet.
