Most people think making your own homemade cleaning products is harder than it actually is. If you have already started the process of becoming an Ingredient Household, you most likely already have most of what you need to make your own cleaning solutions. Making them at home avoids unnecessary chemicals and is more cost effective than buying them from the store. If you can save money, why not?
Many store bought cleaners use ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, sodium per carbonate etc. and you’re just paying for the convenience. I’ll show you how to make the products you love without breaking the bank.
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Below you’ll find my favorite homemade cleaning recipes for every room in the house.
Recipes included in this post:
- DIY Stain Remover
- Natural Laundry Powder
- Homemade Air Freshener
- Dishwasher Pods
- DIY OxiClean Copycat Recipe
- Luxury Laundry Bleach Alternative
- Window Cleaning Solution
- Toilet Cleaning Bombs
- Gel Air Fresheners
- Mattress Deodorizer Powder
- Dust Repellent Spray
- All Purpose Spray Cleaner
- Baking Soda in a Jar Air Freshener
Kitchen Cleaning Recipes
Less ingredients, safer for everyone!
Bathroom Cleaning Recipes
Use this recipe to keep your bathroom smelling fresh.
Simple ingredients to leave a shiny toilet bowl fresh!
Laundry Solutions
Luxury Laundry Bleach Alternative
This is a great way to freshen and brighten whites with less chemicals!
Spray on, let sit and wash like normal!
Powerful ingredients with a cheaper price!
Homemade Mattress Deodorizer Powder
Spring is the time to freshen up that mattress. Even they need some help every once in a while!
Glass + Surface Cleaners
Simple to make and leaves those windows clear!
Spray this as a way to keep down the dust.
Natural Air Fresheners
A simple way to freshen the room without harmful chemicals.
Baking Soda in a Jar Freshener
One of the most cost effective ways to keep a room smelling fresh with less work.
Gel Air Freshener
You can customized these to be so pretty and smell so good! Long lasting too.
🧼 Common Ingredients Used in Homemade Cleaning Products (Complete Guide)
If you’re switching to homemade cleaning products, understanding your ingredients is the key to getting safe, effective, and budget-friendly results. These simple pantry staples are the foundation of most natural cleaners—and when used correctly, they can replace dozens of store-bought products.
Below is a breakdown of the most popular DIY cleaning ingredients, how they work, and exactly when to use them.
🍶 Vinegar (The All-Purpose Natural Cleaner)
Vinegar—especially white distilled vinegar—is one of the most powerful and affordable natural cleaning ingredients you can use.
Why it works:
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which helps dissolve mineral deposits, grease, grime, and soap scum.
Best uses:
- Cutting grease on kitchen surfaces
- Cleaning glass and mirrors (streak-free shine)
- Removing hard water stains and buildup
- Deodorizing laundry and fabrics
Pro tip:
Avoid using vinegar on natural stone surfaces like granite or marble—it can cause damage over time.
🧂 Baking Soda (Gentle Scrubber + Deodorizer)
Baking soda is a must-have for any homemade cleaning routine. It’s mild, non-toxic, and incredibly versatile.
Why it works:
It’s slightly alkaline, which helps break down dirt and grease while neutralizing odors.
Best uses:
- Scrubbing sinks, tubs, and stovetops
- Deodorizing carpets, shoes, and trash cans
- Boosting laundry cleaning power
- Cleaning ovens without harsh chemicals
Pro tip:
Combine with a small amount of water to create a paste for tough grime.
🫧 Washing Soda (Heavy-Duty Cleaner Booster)
Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is a stronger cousin of baking soda and is ideal for tougher cleaning jobs.
Why it works:
It’s highly alkaline, making it excellent at cutting through grease, stains, and buildup.
Best uses:
- Homemade laundry detergent
- Deep cleaning greasy surfaces
- Softening hard water
- Removing stubborn stains from fabrics
Pro tip:
Always wear gloves when handling—it’s stronger than baking soda and can irritate skin.
💧 Hydrogen Peroxide (Natural Disinfectant + Whitener)
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful, non-toxic alternative to bleach that disinfects and brightens.
Why it works:
It releases oxygen, which breaks down stains, bacteria, and odors.
Best uses:
- Whitening laundry and removing stains
- Disinfecting countertops and surfaces
- Cleaning bathrooms and grout
- Removing mold and mildew
Pro tip:
Store in a dark bottle and keep it out of sunlight—it loses effectiveness when exposed to light.
🌿 Essential Oils (Natural Fragrance + Antibacterial Boost)
Essential oils add more than just a pleasant scent—they can also enhance the cleaning power of your DIY products.
Why they work:
Many essential oils have natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
Best uses:
- Adding scent to all-purpose cleaners
- Boosting disinfecting sprays
- Freshening laundry and air sprays
- Creating signature “clean home” scents
Popular choices:
- Lemon (grease-cutting + fresh scent)
- Tea tree (antibacterial + antifungal)
- Lavender (calming + light antibacterial)
- Eucalyptus (fresh + deodorizing)
Pro tip:
A little goes a long way—start with just a few drops.
🏡 Why These Ingredients Work Together
One of the biggest benefits of homemade cleaning products is that you can mix and match these ingredients to create powerful, customized cleaners for every area of your home.
With just these five simple ingredients, you can make:
- All-purpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Laundry detergent
- Air freshener
- Stain remover
This not only saves money but also reduces toxins in your home—making it safer for your family.
Safety Tips
- Never mix vinegar and bleach
- Test cleaners on surfaces first
- Store DIY cleaners properly
Looking for more swaps, but in the food isle?
👉🏻 Check out my blog on all the pantry mixes you can make at home!
