12 Natural Cleaning Recipes + Printable “Cheat Sheet”

Shelf Life of Homemade Cleaning Products

Common Ingredients Used in Natural Cleaning Recipes

Here are some of the most commonly used ingredients found in DIY cleaning recipes. You’ll likely have most of these in your pantry or cabinets already, but if not, check at local grocery or health food stores.

• baking soda – a natural deodorizer, baking soda is gently abrasive and works well as a scrubbing agent; another name for baking soda is bicarb or bicarbonate of soda.
• vinegar – dissolves dirt, soap scum, and some stains; don’t use vinegar on granite, marble, or other stone, or aluminum surfaces; common white vinegar is normally used for cleaning, but apple cider vinegar (ACV) is fine too; vinegar also makes an effective fabric softener!
• castile soap – a natural liquid soap that cuts through grime and dirt, gently cleans surfaces without harsh detergents, you could alternatively use liquid dish soap in its place
• essential oils – derived from plants, provides all natural scent for your cleaning recipes, citrus essential oils are also useful for cutting grease, lavender essential oil is calming, and tea tree oil has a clean disinfecting aroma
• vodka or rubbing alcohol – disinfects, and adds shine to windows and mirrors
• spray bottles – used to spritz and spray your cleaning creations over surfaces
• old rags, t-shirts, socks, or dish towels – cut these into manageable sizes to make eco-friendly cleaning and dusting cloths. Make sure the material is absorbent and use light colors or white t-shirts/socks to avoid leaving noticeable lint behind on surfaces.

Grab Your Printable Cleaning Cheat Sheet Here!

Click on the thumbnail image to download your chart, or visit HERE. It will open as a pdf, so if it won’t work properly for you – you’ll need a pdf reader such as Adobe, or iBooks may be helpful if you’re on an Apple product. Some browsers may also block pdf files from opening; try using Chrome or Brave instead.

I’ve also typed out all of the recipes below, if you’d prefer to skip the printable, and just to refer to them online.

Video: Making Homemade Laundry Soap & Detergent

Here’s a video of me making a batch of Coconut Oil Laundry Soap – which can be turned into stain sticks and laundry detergent. (Sometimes an ad plays first, but the video will start right after. If you have an adblocker, you won’t see the video player.)

12 DIY Recipes for Cleaning Your Home Naturally

Directions to Make the Following Recipes:

For sprays: Pour ingredients into a spray bottle, shake to mix. Shake well before each use.

For dusting cloths: Mix oil + essential oil. Add hot water, mix well. Swish cloths in water mixture, squeeze out, hang dry. Hand rinse used cloths; line dry. (Do NOT run them through a dryer.)

For scouring powders & scrubs: Mix well, scrub over surfaces with a wet sponge, rag, or toilet brush, depending on area you’re cleaning. Rinse thoroughly.

Be sure to spot test all homemade cleaners on an inconspicuous spot before applying to larger areas!

Natural Window Cleaner Recipe

An easy glass cleaner spray to make your windows and mirrors naturally shine. Use within 1 to 2 days.

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 pinch cornstarch
• optional: 1 tbsp vodka/alcohol
• spray bottle

DIY All-Purpose Citrus Cleaning Spray

Useful for counters, walls, and more! Make small batches, use up the same day.

• 1 tbsp liquid castile soap
• 10 – 15 drops citrus essential oil
• 1 cup water

Dusting Cloths

A non-toxic way to wipe dust off of furniture and book shelves. Used rags can be hand washed and hung to dry to reuse again. (Oil soaked rags can be flammable, keep away from open flame and never run them through a dryer.)

• 5 tbsp jojoba (or olive) oil
• 20 drops lemon essential oil (lavender eo is also a nice scent for these)
• 1 cup hot water
• old t-shirt, cut into squares

Counter Spray

This all purpose cleaner is great to use on kitchen and bathroom counters. Use within 1 to 2 days after making.

• 1 cup water
• 3 tbsp vodka (or rubbing alcohol)
• 2 tsp liquid castile soap

Air Freshener Spray with Essential Oils

Use your favorite essential oil to freshen up a room. Shelf life is several weeks.

• 2 tbsp vodka
• 6 to 8 drops essential oil
• 2 tbsp water

Wood Furniture Spray

A combination of oil and vinegar to gently clean wooden furniture. Spot test first, but this homemade furniture polish is often used to restore old or antique pieces of grimy furniture. Shelf life is around 1 month.

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 drops lemon essential oil
• 4 tbsp white vinegar

Scouring Powder 1 – with citrus zest

You can mix up dry scouring powders in advance, then use with a wet sponge or rag to activate them.

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• zest of 1/2 lemon (or orange)
• 4 to 5 drops lemon (or orange) essential oil

Scouring Powder 2 – with washing soda or borax

Mix in advance, then sprinkle a small amount over dirty surfaces. Scrub and rinse with a wet sponge or rag. Can also be used as a toilet bowl cleaner.

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup washing soda or borax
• 5 drops citrus essential oil

Easy Soft-Like Scrub

Quick to mix up when your tub or sink needs a good scrubbing!

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/2 tablespoon liquid castile soap
• water, to slightly thin the mix

Tea Tree Bathroom Cleaner

This spray has an invigorating clean fragrance and is perfect for bathroom counters, toilets, sinks, and walls. It removes surface dirt while leaving a pleasing scent behind. Mix up small batches and use within the same day.

• 1 tbsp liquid castile soap
• 1/4 tsp tea tree essential oil
• 1/8 tsp peppermint essential oil
• 1 cup water

Cabinet Wash

A classic combination for cleaning grime from your kitchen cabinets. Use freshly mixed and discard any remaining wash after one day.

• 1/2 tbsp Murphy’s Oil Soap
• optional: 5 drops cedarwood or juniper berry essential oil
• 1 to 2 cups warm water

Kitchen Floor Cleaner

A gentle non-toxic cleaner to swipe over sticky floors. Mix up and use while the water is still warm.

• 2 tbsp liquid castile soap
• 15 to 20 drops lemon essential oil
• 1 gallon hot water

Happy Spring Cleaning!