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Spring has officially sprung, at least on the calendar if not in Colorado. And one thing even those of us who hate cleaning tend to do is Spring cleaning. After a long winter of being bundled up in a closed-off house, it always feels good to dust the winter away, open the windows, and welcome the season. But one thing I hate more than cleaning itself is commercial cleaning products.
Don’t get me wrong, I keep a bottle of Lysol and one of Bar Keepers Friend on hand at all times and I’m a big fan of toilet bowl cleaner but most other cleaners and detergents bother either my nose, my lungs, or my skin.
I’m one of those people that are incredibly sensitive to artificial fragrances. They either make me nauseous, cause a headache or create a rash. So, I try to steer clear of them as much as possible. That’s why I love DIY cleaning products. No fuss, no extra chemicals or fragrances, and each of the products on this list are quick and simple to make. And with a few exceptions, most of the ingredients can be found in almost every home.
Easy DIY All-purpose Cleaner
Spray bottle
Funnel
1 cup distilled water
1 cup white distilled vinegar
1/2 lemon juiced (optional)
15 drops of lavender essential oil or peppermint, orange, or lemon
Using your funnel pour all the ingredients into a 16oz. spray bottle. Shake gently before each use. Be sure to store this one in the fridge so you don’t risk the fresh lemon juice spoiling on you. As a side note - Do NOT use a vinegar cleaner on marble or granite surfaces.
Simple DIY Scrubbing Powder
A tight-sealing jar
Baking Soda
Washing Soda
In your jar, mix 4 parts baking soda with 1 part washing soda. Be sure to label your jar so it doesn’t get mistaken for anything else, and use it for all of your scrubbing needs!
Fragrant DIY Dusting Spray
Spray bottle
Funnel (optional)
1 cup of water
1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar
2 tablespoons of olive oil
5 drops of lemon essential oil
5 drops of grapefruit essential oil
5 drops of lavender essential oil
Using a funnel if needed, add one cup of water and 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to your bottle. Next, add two tablespoons of olive oil. Then add 5 drops of each of your essential oils. Shake well to combine before each use.
To Use: Spray on a dusty surface then wipe off with a microfiber cloth.
DIY Carpet Powder
Baking Soda
Ground Cloves
Orange Essential Oil
Metal Bowl
Metal Whisk
Shaker Bottle (a parmesan bottle works great!)
Add baking soda to a bowl and combine with your desired level of ground cloves and essential oil and whisk to combine. Spoon or funnel it into your shaker container.
To Use: Shake the container before each use. Sprinkle the carpet liberally, allow to sit for 10 minutes, and then vacuum as usual.
Easy DIY Oven Cleaner
Non-reactive bowl (metal or glass)
Baking Soda
Liquid dish soap
Hydrogen peroxide
In your bowl, mix 3 parts baking soda (3 tablespoons) 1 part hydrogen peroxide (1 tablespoon), and 1 part dishwashing soap (1 tablespoon).
To Use: Once combined coat your oven in the solution and let it sit for 20 minutes before wiping it clean.
DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Small spray bottle
Funnel (optional)
½ cup baking soda
1 cup distilled white vinegar
½ teaspoon tea tree essential oil
Add your vinegar to the spray bottle using a funnel if needed then combine with the tee tree oil and shake gently to combine.
To Use: Spray vinegar mixture inside the bowl, on the seat, lid, and handle. Sprinkle the inside of the bowl with baking soda. Allow everything to sit for 5 or more minutes. Scrub the bowl with your toilet brush then wipe all other surfaces clean with a cloth.
Quick DIY Glass Cleaner
Spray bottle
Funnel
1 cup distilled water
2-3 tbsp. white vinegar
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
Add the rubbing alcohol and vinegar to a spray bottle, then fill it with distilled water. Secure the lid tightly and shake thoroughly. For best results, look for that vinegar that says "made from grain" on the label.
Chemical-Free DIY Air Freshener
16-ounce glass spray bottle
Medium glass or metal bowl
Funnel (optional)
2 cups of distilled water
1 tablespoon of baking soda
10 drops of your choice of essential oils
To your bowl add baking soda and essential oils and mix thoroughly. Using a funnel (if needed) pour the baking soda mixture into the glass spray bottle, then add the distilled water and gently shake to combine.
To Use: shake gently before each use. Spray anywhere you want to freshen the air.
Powerful DIY All-Purpose Stain Remover
Medium glass or metal bowl
Wire whisk or wooden spoon
Squeeze bottle
Funnel (optional)
Dawn Dish Soap (original blue)
Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking Soda
In your bowl, mix equal parts of all ingredients then transfer to your squeeze bottle. This recipe is great because you can make it in any quantity you like as long as you keep the portions equal.
To Use: Squeeze a generous amount onto your stain and work into fabric. Allow it to sit for 1-2 hours then wash it as usual. *Note: do not allow to sit for over 24 hours as the dish soap blue could stain.
DIY Fabric Softener
A Spray bottle
A funnel
White Vinegar
Essential oils
Use a funnel to pour vinegar directly into a spray bottle. For every cup of vinegar you use, add 10 to 15 drops of essential oils. Seal the spray bottle and shake to mix.
To Use: If you are line drying, hang your laundry then lightly spritz and allow it to dry naturally. If using a commercial dryer, lightly spritz laundry before starting the dryer.
DIY Dryer Sheets
Medium glass or metal bowl
15 - 20 5”x5” cloth squares (old T-shirts work well)
A quart size mason jar
½ cup distilled water
1 ½ cups white vinegar
20 drops of your favorite essential oil(s) (optional)
To your bowl add vinegar, water, and essential oils if using, and stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Stuff your “sheets” in your jar and pour vinegar solution over them. Shake to aid in the cloth saturation.
To Use: Simply pull out a sheet and throw it in the dryer with your clean clothing. Add the sheet back to the jar after use and refill the vinegar solution as needed.
Don't Forget Your Free Labels!
As promised, I have a complete set of adorable labels for all of your new cleaning products. There is a download link below the image. The labels are free and don't require an email or any other information, all we ask is that you use them ONLY for personal use.
DIY Cleaning Products, and Cleaning Notes
A couple of things to note since almost all of these cleaners are made with vinegar, be sure to test them on a small inconspicuous area to make sure they don’t cause discolorations to your surfaces and fabrics. Other than that, happy spring and happy spring cleaning! Have I missed any of your favorite DIY cleaners? Let me know in the comments! And as always, until next time,
