This homemade all-purpose household cleaner is the easiest, cheapest, and most convenient low-tox product you could ever put together. Cutting through any household grease and whipped up in mere minutes, you’ll be wondering why you ever paid for your cleaning agents!
Starting the low-tox journey
When I began the journey to better health for me and my family, I set out to make the transition to a low-tox lifestyle. However, when I went down the rabbit hole of discovering just how chemical-laden our environment is, I immediately became overwhelmed by the prospect of change. Where was I to even start?
As with any situation where I find myself procrastinating, I followed one piece of advice:
“Do the next small thing.”
So I decided to get unstuck and make one small change at a time to reduce toxins in our home.
The obvious place for me to begin was the place where I believed there to be the most chemicals in our home: the cleaning product storage cupboard.
In an attempt to remove multiple products in one fell swoop, I decided to swap our household cleaners for a single all-purpose household cleaning product.
All-purpose household cleaner
What I wanted from an all-purpose household cleaner was for it to be:
- storable in an easy-to-use spray bottle
- safe and easy for my children to use
- quick and simple to whip up
- cheap to make
When I finally took the plunge in making the all-purpose household cleaner, I was incredibly surprised by the outcome. It took me mere minutes to make months’ worth of cleaner, it cost me a fraction of what I was spending on cleaning products at the supermarket, and it worked exceptionally well!
So what do I use this all-purpose household cleaner for? The list is long: bench tops, table tops, sinks, baths, tiles, the stove, kitchen cupboards, stubborn dish stains, walls, floors, carpet spots, and the fridge (in and out).
Disclaimer: this recipe calls for vinegar, and you should avoid using vinegar on granite, marble, waxed wood floors and furniture, and grouting.
You will need a few supplies to make this cleaner, however, once you gather the ingredients and supplies, they will last an incredibly long time. I have been using the same five dollar bag of washing soda for years!
Homemade All-Purpose Household Cleaner Recipe
Supplies
- tablespoon
- measuring jug
- receptacle for mixing (e.g. a large bowl)
- funnel
- spray bottle/s
- bottles/containers for storing extra solution
Ingredients
- 1l water (including 250ml boiled)
- 2 tablespoons washing soda
- 200ml vinegar
- 40ml dishwashing liquid
- 20 drops eucalyptus oil (optional for added antibacterial benefit)
Method
- Mix washing soda with 250ml of boiling water in a large bowl until dissolved.
- Add remaining ingredients and stir.
- Using a funnel, pour into a spray bottle, and the remaining solution into storage bottles.
You will be amazed by just how easy it is to make this simple change from store-bought cleaning agents to a homemade all-purpose household cleaning product. Once you and your family reap the health and financial benefits, you will never look back!
10 Responses
I would love some tips to know how to go form commercial laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent if this writer has some.
Hi Bernadette, have you tried https://www.mitre10.com.au/euca-10kg-laundry-powder ? It’s the best I’ve found so far. Would love to hear what others are using as well.
We can confirm this is in the works! Thank you for your comment and request!
This is helpful information that I have been wanting and didn’t know where to find. Thank you for sharing this recipe and links.
Thank you for your comment Please do let us know how it turns out for you, if you try it!
Does it work on windows? And if so which cloth/process do you use?
Hi Anna. This formula has dish washing liquid in it, so it is a little bit soapy. When windows are very dirty, I something use this, but it needs to be rinsed off a little or wiped off with water. Any cloth would work! We don’t use a ‘special’ cloth. All the best!
I just use 50:50 water and white vinegar in a spray bottle for mirrors and windows with a microfibre glass cleaning cloth (often part of a pack at the supermarket). Very happy with the effectiveness. Other smooth cloths would probably work fine like an old tshirt?
Can you substitute washing soda for bi carb soda?
Washing soda is more effective than baking/bicarb soda; the latter is fine for mild cleaning. Washing soda will cut through grime better. If you cannot source washing soda, you can actually make it. I haven’t tried to make it, but it simply takes heating baking/bicarb soda in the oven. You might find this helpful: https://www.drkarenslee.com/make-your-own-homemade-washing-soda/