Americans spend an average of $600 per year on household cleaning products. Most of those products come in single-use plastic bottles, contain synthetic chemicals with hard-to-pronounce names, and do not clean any better than simple mixtures you can make at home for a fraction of the cost.
Making your own cleaning products is one of the easiest zero-waste swaps you can make. The ingredients are cheap, the recipes are simple, and the results are genuinely effective. Here are 8 recipes that cover every cleaning need in your home.
The Essential Ingredients You Need
White distilled vinegar costs about $3 per gallon and is a powerful disinfectant and degreaser. Baking soda costs about $1 per box and is an excellent abrasive cleaner and deodorizer. Castile soap costs about $12 per 32 oz bottle but lasts for months since you use very little. Essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and lemon are optional but add pleasant scents. Your total startup cost is about $20, and these supplies will last for 6 to 12 months.
1. All-Purpose Cleaner
Mix one cup of water, one cup of white vinegar, and 10 drops of tea tree or lemon essential oil in a spray bottle. Works on countertops, appliances, sinks, and most hard surfaces. Do not use on marble or granite. Cost per bottle: approximately $0.15.
2. Glass and Mirror Cleaner
Combine two cups of water, half a cup of white vinegar, and a quarter cup of rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe with a microfiber cloth for streak-free results. Cost per bottle: approximately $0.20.
3. Heavy-Duty Scrub for Sinks and Tubs
Mix half a cup of baking soda with enough liquid castile soap to form a paste. Add 5 drops of tea tree oil. Apply to the surface, scrub with a brush, and rinse. This handles soap scum, hard water stains, and grime effortlessly. Cost per batch: approximately $0.25.
4. Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Sprinkle half a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl. Add one cup of white vinegar and let it fizz for 10 minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush. Cost per cleaning: approximately $0.10.
5. Wood Floor Cleaner
Mix one gallon of warm water with a quarter cup of white vinegar and a few drops of castile soap. Mop as usual. Cost per bucket: approximately $0.08.
6. Laundry Stain Remover
Make a paste from equal parts baking soda, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide. Apply directly to the stain, let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, then wash as normal. Cost per treatment: approximately $0.05.
7. Kitchen Degreaser
Combine two cups of warm water, one tablespoon of castile soap, and one tablespoon of baking soda in a spray bottle. Spray onto greasy surfaces, let sit for five minutes, then wipe clean. Cost per bottle: approximately $0.18.
8. Air Freshener
Mix one cup of water with two tablespoons of vodka or rubbing alcohol and 20 to 30 drops of your favorite essential oils in a spray bottle. Cost per bottle: approximately $0.30.
How Much You Will Save
If you replace your commercial cleaning products with these DIY versions, you can expect to save $400 to $500 per year. You will also eliminate dozens of plastic bottles from your waste stream annually. A set of reusable spray bottles costs about $10 and lasts for years. The time investment is minimal — you can make a month’s worth of cleaning products in about 20 minutes.