7 Recipes for Natural Homemade Cleaners

one photo/Shutterstock

Multipurpose Cleaner

1. In a spray bottle, combine 3 cups water, 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 tsp. clear household ammonia, 1 tsp. liquid dish soap and 1/2 tsp. lemon juice. Shake well before each use.
2. Spray onto countertops, kitchen appliances and fixtures, and tile or painted surfaces. Wipe down with a clean cloth or damp sponge.

Mist or stream? Get the spray you want with this 3-pack of professional-quality bottles. ($13)

Billion Photos/Shutterstock

Window & Glass Cleaner

1. Mix either 2 Tbsp. ammonia in 2 qts. warm water or 1 cup white vinegar in 1 qt. of water. Place in a spray bottle.
2. Spray onto windows or other glass surfaces and wipe away using a microfiber cloth (or piece of newspaper) in an S-shaped pattern.

Get our top window-cleaning tips from a pro.

Simon Kadula/Shutterstock

Dish Soap

1. Grate a bar of pure soap, such as Ivory, on the coarse side of a kitchen grater to measure 1/4 cup.
2. Place 11/2 cups hot water in a pitcher; stir in soap flakes with a fork until dissolved. Cool for 5 minutes, then stir in 1/4 cup glycerin ($5) and 1/2 tsp. lemon essential oil.
3. Cool. Use the fork to break up any congealed parts, then pour the liquid into a squirt bottle. Use 2-3 tsp. per sink or dishpan of hot water to hand-wash dishes.

Our favorite tool for cleaning pans is so cute it’ll make you smile.

Sergey Lapin/Shutterstock

Liquid Fabric Softener

1. Mix 2 cups each baking soda and white vinegar with 1 qt. water. Store in a plastic bottle with a lid.
2. Add 1/4 cup softener to laundry’s final rinse cycle.

Two stacking sweater racks ($14 each) are a laundry game-changer. Use side by side for drying dresses. Nest them together and slide under the bed when not in use!

Zivica Kerkez/Shutterstock

Homemade Dryer Sheets

1. Prepare liquid fabric softener (on the previous slide) in a wide container with a lid. Dip a washcloth into mixture; wring out.
2. Add cloth to the dryer with a load of damp clothes.

Laundry dryer balls fluff and soften clothes without chemicals, too. Bet you can’t resist this set of 4 cute hedgehog-shaped dryer balls. ($8) They add whimsy and charm to laundry day.

Stokkete/Shutterstock

Hardwood Floor Cleaner

1. In a large saucepan, boil 1 qt. water. Remove from heat and add 6 peppermint tea bags. Let steep for 2 hours.
2. Pour tea in a mop pail. Add 1 qt. white vinegar, 2 Tbsp. baby oil and 1 tsp. liquid dish soap (commercial or homemade). Stir to combine.
3. Dip a clean mop into the cleaning solution, wring or squeeze it out and clean house. The tannins in the tea attack dirt without damaging the floor finish.

Scratches, be gone! This touch-up kit ($9) makes wooden floors and furniture like new.

goffkein.pro/Shutterstock

Furniture Polish

1. Combine equal parts vegetable oil and lemon juice. Mix well; pour into a spray bottle.
2. Spray onto finished wooden surfaces, then polish with a soft cloth. Refrigerate up to 6 months.

Color-code your cleaning cloths for different tasks. This microfiber 12-pack ($10) comes in 3 bright colors. Keep two in the car for windows and leather.

Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.