DIY Green Cleaning Recipes: 18 Options for Floors, Surfaces, and More

Dec 01, 2023

Good news: Store-bought cleaners aren't the only effective way to clean your home.

Whether your goal is to eliminate potentially harmful chemicals, cut costs, go eco-friendly, or a combination of all three, making your own homemade cleaners is a snap.

Plus, most homemade cleaners can be made in the amount of time it would take to go to the store with stuff you already have on hand.

From the planet to making the most of your paycheck, there are plenty of reasons to go homemade when it comes to cleaners.

DIY cleaners are more environmentally-friendly than most cleaning products, especially those in plastic containers. Some cleaners contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to your health and to the planet.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollution ranks among the top environmental dangers, much of which comes from everyday cleaning products.

The EPA notes that health effects associated with indoor air pollutants include:

Despite the effects of exposure to indoor air pollutants, the safety of cleaning products isn't regulated or assessed. The EPA only regulates cleaners that contain registered pesticides.

A 2021 study of 50 Latina women demonstrated that choosing cleaning products that are marketed as green may reduce exposure to several carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.

In an older 2014 study, up to 75 percent of professional cleaning products tested contained irritating, harmful, and corrosive substances. Hazards to eyes, skin, and ingestion were reported most.

The study found that especially hazardous substances in cleaning products include:

Substances that posed less of a hazard but were still harmful included:

Exposure to these cleaning agents was found to result in skin disorders and diseases affecting the lungs, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

Some manufacturers dilute their products with water, which means you have to use more to get the same level of effectiveness.

Even with products that aren't diluted, you’ll often get more bang for your buck by buying basic ingredients like vinegar and baking soda in bulk. You may already have many of these ingredients in your pantry!

Buying multiple cleaning products in little plastic bottles can add up: Think tile cleaner, window cleaner, toilet cleaner…you get it!

Homemade cleaners can pack an equally powerful cleaning punch to most commercially-made cleaners.

For instance, a 2020 study found that a 10 percent concentration of acetic acid—a main component of vinegar—had antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects when used for cleaning, especially when combined with 1.5 percent citric acid.

Another 2020 study noted that hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate solutions have been widely used as bleach and in medicine as antiseptic and disinfectants for more than 100 years.

An older 2015 study noted that many commercial cleaners "contribute to indoor air

pollution, are poisonous if ingested, and can be harmful if inhaled or touched" and that "some cleaners are among the most toxic products found in the home."

The study also noted that a few safe, simple ingredients can take care of most household cleaning needs, including:

Another older 2015 study found that environmentally preferable products were an effective alternative to bleach. The study also found that do-it-yourself products including distilled white vinegar, club soda, and tea tree oil were effective against E. coli, but had to be prepared freshly each day to maintain their potency.

An older 2014 study found that acetic acid (vinegar) efficiently kills M. tuberculosis after 30 minutes of exposure to a 6 percent solution.

If you want to DIY, you’ll want to stock your home with these commonly-used household cleaner ingredients:

Baking soda

Baking soda works well on grease, proteins, and animal messes. It's an excellent deodorizer and less expensive than store-bought scrubbing powders. You can even use baking soda in litter boxes and garbage cans.

Distilled white vinegar

Vinegar is a DIY cleaning staple. Due to its acidic nature, it works very well on alkaline substances. It's more effective at higher concentrations. Acetic acid is a main component of apple cider vinegar too.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a more eco-friendly alternative to bleach. It's simply water with an extra oxygen molecule (H₂O₂), meaning when it breaks down, it does so into harmless oxygen and water.

Lemon juice

Lemon juice not only smells fantastic, but it also cuts through grease, kills mildew and mold, and makes surfaces shine.

Cleaning cloths

You can use microfiber cloths, old cotton t-shirts, or other reusable rags to reduce waste.

While not essential to make your own cleaning products, many of these natural cleaning ingredients work wonders on their own or in any number of DIY combos.

Borax

Borax is an alkali that's good for cutting grease, oil, and dirt. Just be careful with this one as it is more controversial than other items on this list. Borax can act as a skin and eye irritant and can disrupt hormones.

Essential oils

Essential oils aren't ‘essential’ for cleaning, but tea tree oil smells lovely and is a natural antibacterial. Other popular scents include eucalyptus, any citrus, lemongrass, and lavender.

While research suggests there are health benefits, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It's important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand's products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil and dilute any essential oil with a carrier oil, and ensure essential oils you use for cleaning are safe for children, pets, and pregnant people.

Castile soap

Castile soap can act as a laundry detergent, floor cleaner, dish soap, and even a shampoo. It's made with olive oil or a vegetable base and can be found scented or unscented. It's available in bar form, but the liquid is all you need for cleaning recipes.

Glass bottles. You can recycle your old cleaning bottles or get a set of glass bottles to store your suds in. You may never have to rebuy again!

Despite the effects of exposure to indoor air pollutants, the safety of cleaning products isn't regulated or assessed. The EPA only regulates cleaners that contain registered pesticides.

That doesn't mean that "natural" automatically means harmless. All household cleaners, whether store-bought or homemade, should be used cautiously.

As a general rule, always wear gloves and use proper ventilation.

Finally, there are important things to know so you don't damage your home or belongings too.

Vinegar is generally household-friendly, but there are a few circumstances when you should avoid it, including:

The acidity can strip finishes or otherwise damage these surfaces.

Although it isn't unsafe, mixing vinegar or lemon juice with castile soap neutralize both ingredients, since castile soap is high on the pH scale and vinegar and lemons are acidic.

Before spraying a cleaner on any surface, it's a good idea to test it on a hidden area to ensure it doesn't damage the material.

The following recipes are meant to help you on your way to making homemade cleaners. In case you’re in a pinch, you’ll find a few product suggestions too.

These all came from the Environmental Working Group's list of the best household cleaning products. EWG's staff scientists created this list after evaluating over 2,000 household cleaning products.

All-purpose cleaners are what they sound like. You can use them on almost any surface to deodorize and clean.

You can use this citrus-infused vinegar all-purpose cleaner on most surfaces except natural stone, cast iron, aluminum, or wax. Shake before use, spray generously, and wipe clean with a cloth.

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Need to buy instead? Try Method All-Purpose Natural Surface Cleaner.

Vinegar may be a cleaning wunderkind, but there are times when you just don't want or can use it. Vinegar can't be used on granite, marble, or other stone surfaces. A lot of people also don't like the smell of vinegar either.

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Need to buy instead? TryAttitude Multipurpose Spray Cleaner.

There are plenty of DIY laundry detergent recipes with Borax. However, this one works well if you’re trying to avoid Borax.

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Need to buy instead? Try Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap or Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda Detergent Booster.

It's best to hand wash delicates using a mild castile soap like Dr. Bronner's.

This recipe works well if you’re looking for a good DIY way to sanitize surfaces. It must be made fresh. Even within 24 hours, its effectiveness decreases.

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Easy DIY methods are available for washing dishes by hand or in the dishwasher. Use the below instructions for your dishwasher.

For handwashing, combine 1 cup of liquid castile soap and 3 tbsp of water, shake well, and use dish soap as you usually would.

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Need to buy it? TryEcover Rinse Aid or Seventh Generation Natural Automatic Dishwasher Powder.

Grease is stubborn, but that doesn't mean you need an expensive product full of chemicals to cut through it. A DIY grease cleaner can be just as effective.

Spray the cleaner onto the greasy surface and wipe clean with a sponge. Wipe over the cleaned surface with a clean cloth that's been run under warm water.

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Need to buy it instead? Try Fit Organic Cleaner and Degreaser.

DIY bathroom cleaners only require two ingredients. If you need to do intense disinfecting, it may be best to consider an EPA-approved cleaner like bleach or the bleach-alternative recipe below.

You can use this cleanser on just about any bathroom surface—just spray and wipe! If you have stubborn soap scum, spray and let it sit on the surface for several hours or overnight.

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Need to buy it instead? Try Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner.

As an alternative to bleach, use this DIY disinfectant.

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Need to buy it instead? Try Seventh Generation Disinfectant Spray or Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Wipes.

This DIY grout cleaner will have your shower gleaming.

Pro-tip: Use an old toothbrush to help get those small nooks and crannies.

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Stainless steel is nice to look at until it's covered in smudges. To get it looking flawless again, wipe a cloth with olive oil over the streaks. Then dampen a section of the cloth with vinegar and wipe over again until clean.

If brass fixtures need a bit of cleaning, you just need a few simple ingredients and steps to have them look new again.

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Olive oil is excellent for wooden surfaces, keeping them shiny and nourished.

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Need to buy it instead? Try ECOS Furniture Polish & Cleaner.

This simple recipe works well for hardwood and linoleum floors.

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This recipe is suitable for non-wax floors.

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Need to buy it instead? TryAunt Fannie's Floor Cleaner Vinegar Wash or Aunt Fannie's Hardwood Floor Cleaner.

A carpet deodorizer works well to freshen up area rugs and floors. You can even use it to deodorize shoes!

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Need to buy it instead? Try Aunt Fannie's Carpet Refresher.

A linen spray will help sheets and other fabrics stay clean and crisp. You can use any type of essential oil. For example, a calming scent like lavender is perfect right before bed.

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This DIY air freshener is fun because it doesn't require any cleaning. Change your ingredients to try out new scents depending on your preference or the time of year.

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This heavy-duty scrub deodorizes and cleans your toilet bowl.

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Need to buy it instead? TrySeventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner.

Transitioning from commercial cleaners to DIY household cleaning products can be simple, cost-effective, and even fun.

You may even have many of the items you need for homemade cleaners in your pantry or bathroom cabinet.

With a few stimple steps, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier, thriftier, more environmentally-friendly home.

Ashley Hubbard is a freelance writer based in Nashville, Tennessee, focusing on sustainability, travel, veganism, mental health, social justice, and more. Passionate about animal rights, sustainable travel, and social impact, she seeks out ethical experiences whether at home or on the road. Visit her website wild-hearted.com.