Natural DIY Base Recipes for Cleaners
Cleaning your home with natural ingredients is not only better for the environment but also safer for your health. Many conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin, eyes, and lungs, not to mention polluting the air in your home. Luckily, creating your own natural cleaners using simple ingredients can be just as effective—if not more—while being completely eco-friendly and non-toxic.
In this guide, we’ll explore several easy DIY base recipes for cleaners that you can make at home. These natural recipes are perfect for cleaning every room in your house, from the kitchen to the bathroom, while keeping things green and safe for your family.
1. All-Purpose Cleaner Base
An all-purpose cleaner is essential for everyday cleaning tasks. This natural version works on countertops, sinks, tables, and other surfaces, without harsh chemicals.
Ingredients:
1 cup distilled white vinegar (natural disinfectant)
1 cup water (to dilute)
1 tablespoon baking soda (for scrubbing power)
10-15 drops essential oils (optional—lemon for freshness, tea tree for antibacterial properties, or lavender for a calming scent)
Instructions:
In a spray bottle, combine the vinegar and water.
Slowly add the baking soda, which may fizz, and stir until dissolved.
If using, add your choice of essential oils for fragrance and added cleaning benefits.
Shake well before each use. Spray on surfaces and wipe clean with a cloth.
Benefits: This versatile cleaner is great for most surfaces around the home. The vinegar helps disinfect, the baking soda adds gentle abrasiveness, and the essential oils provide a lovely scent and additional cleaning properties.
2. Natural Glass Cleaner Base
Store-bought glass cleaners often contain ammonia, which can be harsh on your lungs and skin. This natural version is gentle, effective, and leaves your windows and mirrors streak-free.
Ingredients:
1 cup distilled water
1/4 cup white vinegar (for streak-free shine)
1 tablespoon cornstarch (for extra cleaning power)
10 drops essential oils (optional—peppermint or citrus for a fresh smell)
Instructions:
Mix the water and vinegar in a spray bottle.
Add the cornstarch and shake well to combine.
If desired, add essential oils to your liking.
Spray on glass surfaces and wipe with a lint-free cloth or newspaper for a streak-free shine.
Benefits: This cleaner will leave your glass surfaces sparkling without the chemical residue. Cornstarch acts as a mild abrasive, ensuring dirt and grime are removed effectively.
3. Natural Bathroom Cleaner Base
Bathrooms are areas where cleanliness is crucial, but conventional bathroom cleaners can contain harsh chemicals that are best avoided. This all-natural bathroom cleaner works wonders for sinks, bathtubs, showers, and toilets.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup baking soda (natural abrasive)
1/2 cup white vinegar (disinfectant and deodoriser)
1 tablespoon liquid Castille soap (gentle and effective cleanser)
10-15 drops essential oils (optional—eucalyptus, tea tree, or lemon for antibacterial properties)
Instructions:
In a small bowl, mix the baking soda and castile soap to form a paste.
Add the vinegar slowly, mixing until the paste becomes a smooth, thick consistency.
If desired, add essential oils for a refreshing scent and additional cleaning properties.
Apply the paste to bathroom surfaces like sinks, tubs, and toilets. Scrub with a sponge or brush, and rinse clean with water.
Benefits: This cleaner is tough on grime and soap scum but gentle enough for all bathroom surfaces. The combination of baking soda and vinegar offers a powerful natural clean without the need for toxic chemicals.
4. Natural Floor Cleaner Base
You can use this natural floor cleaner for tile, laminate, or wood floors. It leaves your floors clean and shiny, without the residue left behind by conventional floor cleaners.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup white vinegar (disinfectant and shine)
1/4 cup Castille soap (mild and safe for wood and tile)
2 cups warm water (dilutes the ingredients)
10 drops essential oils (optional—lemon or peppermint for a fresh scent)
Instructions:
In a bucket, combine the vinegar, Castile soap, and warm water.
Add essential oils if you’d like a fresh, natural fragrance.
Use a mop or cloth to clean your floors with this mixture, rinsing as necessary.
Benefits: This natural floor cleaner effectively removes dirt and grime without the use of harsh chemicals. The vinegar disinfects, while the Castile soap provides a gentle clean that’s safe for wood and tile surfaces.
5. Natural Disinfecting Wipes Base
If you prefer wipes for quick cleaning, you can create your own disinfecting wipes with natural ingredients. These homemade wipes are perfect for kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, and more.
Ingredients:
1 cup distilled water
1/4 cup white vinegar (disinfecting properties)
1 tablespoon Castile soap (cleans and degreases)
10 drops essential oils (optional—tea tree oil for its antibacterial properties or lavender for a soothing scent)
1 roll of paper towels (cut in half to make smaller wipes)
Instructions:
In a large jar or container, mix the distilled water, vinegar, Castile soap, and essential oils.
Cut a roll of paper towels in half to make smaller-sized wipes that fit the container.
Place the cut paper towels into the container and pour the liquid mixture over them.
Seal the container and allow the towels to soak up the liquid.
To use, pull out a wipe and clean surfaces as needed.
Benefits: These natural disinfecting wipes are ideal for quick, on-the-go cleaning. They’re safe to use around the house and contain no toxic chemicals.
6. Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner Base
Keep your toilet fresh and clean with this natural toilet bowl cleaner that works just as effectively as store-bought cleaners, without the harsh chemicals.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup baking soda (gentle abrasive)
1/2 cup white vinegar (natural disinfectant)
10 drops essential oils (optional—tea tree oil or lavender for extra antibacterial properties)
Instructions:
Sprinkle the baking soda around the inside of the toilet bowl.
Pour the vinegar into the bowl and let the mixture fizz.
Scrub the bowl with a toilet brush, focusing on stains and buildup.
Let it sit for a few minutes, then flush to rinse clean.
Benefits: This toilet bowl cleaner is effective at removing stains, deodorizing, and disinfecting. It’s non-toxic and gentle on plumbing.
7. Natural Air Freshener Base
Air fresheners can often contain synthetic fragrances and chemicals that can be harmful to your health. This natural air freshener is simple to make and will keep your home smelling fresh.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup witch hazel or vodka (to help disperse the oils)
15-20 drops essential oils (optional—lavender for relaxation, citrus for freshness, or eucalyptus for a clean, invigorating scent)
Instructions:
In a spray bottle, combine the water and witch hazel or vodka.
Add the essential oils of your choice and shake well.
Spray in the air to freshen up any room in your home.
Benefits: This DIY air freshener is simple and customisable, using only natural essential oils to freshen the air without any harmful chemicals.
Making your own natural cleaners is a great way to save money, reduce your environmental footprint, and ensure that the products you use are safe for your home and family. Whether you're looking to tackle kitchen messes, bathroom grime, or dust in the living room, these DIY base recipes provide effective, eco-friendly solutions.
By using natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils, you can keep your home clean and fresh without resorting to harsh chemicals. Give these recipes a try, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what’s in your cleaning products.