Let me ask you something: when was the last time you looked at your cleaning cabinet and thought, “Wow, I just spent $50 on products I’ll use once”? Yeah, me too. And honestly, it made me wonder — why are we paying so much for fancy bottles when we probably have everything we need already sitting in our kitchen?
Here’s the thing: making your own cleaning products isn’t just about saving money (though you’ll save a lot — we’re talking hundreds of dollars a year). It’s also about knowing exactly what’s going into the stuff you’re using around your family and pets. No weird chemicals you can’t pronounce, no worrying about what’s actually in that “fresh spring meadow” scent.
I started making my own cleaners about two years ago, and I’ll be honest — at first, I thought it would be complicated or time-consuming. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Most of these recipes take less than 5 minutes to whip up, and they work just as well (sometimes better!) than the expensive store-bought versions.
Ready to save some serious cash? Let’s dive in.
1. All-Purpose Cleaner
This is your workhorse cleaner — the one you’ll reach for daily.
What you need:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 10-15 drops essential oil (lemon or tea tree work great)
- Spray bottle
How to make it: Mix everything in your spray bottle, shake it up, and you’re done. Use it on countertops, sinks, appliances — basically anywhere except natural stone surfaces (vinegar can be too harsh for marble or granite).
Cost savings: Store-bought all-purpose cleaners run about $4-6 per bottle. This DIY version? Less than 50 cents.
2. Glass and Mirror Cleaner
No more streaky mirrors or windows!
What you need:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- Spray bottle
How to make it: Combine all ingredients in your spray bottle and shake. Spray on glass surfaces and wipe with a microfiber cloth or old newspaper for a streak-free shine.
Pro tip: The alcohol helps it evaporate quickly, which is the secret to avoiding those annoying streaks.
3. Scrubbing Paste for Tough Stains
This one’s a game-changer for bathtubs, tile grout, and stubborn sink stains.
What you need:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 2-3 tablespoons liquid castile soap (or dish soap)
- 5 drops essential oil (optional)
How to make it: Mix the baking soda and soap in a bowl until you get a paste-like consistency. Add more soap if it’s too thick. Scoop some onto a sponge and scrub away. The baking soda gives you that gentle abrasive power without scratching.
Why I love it: I used to buy those expensive scrubbing creams with bleach. This works better and doesn’t make my bathroom smell like a swimming pool.
4. Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Yes, you can even make your own toilet cleaner!
What you need:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup citric acid (find it in the canning section)
- 20 drops essential oil
How to make it: Mix everything together and store in an airtight container. When you’re ready to clean, sprinkle 1/4 cup into the toilet bowl, let it fizz for a few minutes, scrub, and flush.
Cost savings: Those fancy toilet cleaning tablets? About $5-8 per pack. This DIY version costs pennies per use.
5. Wood Polish
Give your furniture some love without the chemical smell.
What you need:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
How to make it: Mix in a jar or squeeze bottle. Shake well before each use. Apply a small amount to a soft cloth and buff your wood furniture in circular motions.
Heads up: A little goes a long way! I learned this the hard way and ended up with very, very shiny (and slightly greasy) furniture.
6. Carpet Deodorizer
Perfect for refreshing carpets between deep cleans.
What you need:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 15-20 drops essential oil (lavender is my favorite)
- A shaker container
How to make it: Mix the baking soda and essential oil thoroughly, breaking up any clumps. Store in a shaker container (an old parmesan cheese shaker works perfectly). Sprinkle on carpets, let sit for 15-30 minutes, then vacuum up.
Why it works: Baking soda naturally absorbs odors instead of just covering them up.
7. Dish Soap
This one surprised me — homemade dish soap actually works!
What you need:
- 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
- 1 tablespoon washing soda
- 1 cup water
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
How to make it: Mix everything in a dispenser bottle. Shake before each use. You won’t get tons of bubbles like store-bought soap, but don’t worry — it still cuts through grease like a champ.
Reality check: I was skeptical about this one, but it genuinely works well for everyday dishes.
8. Laundry Detergent
This is where you’ll see the biggest savings.
What you need:
- 1 bar of castile soap (grated)
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup borax
- 20 drops essential oil (optional)
How to make it: Grate the soap bar using a cheese grater (dedicate one just for this purpose). Mix everything together and store in an airtight container. Use 1-2 tablespoons per load.
Cost savings: A typical bottle of detergent costs $12-20 and lasts about 32 loads. This recipe costs about $8 and lasts for 60-80 loads. That’s potentially $150+ in savings per year for an average family.
9. Fabric Softener
So simple you’ll wonder why you ever bought it.
What you need:
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 10-15 drops essential oil
How to make it: Mix and store in a bottle. Add 1/4 cup to your fabric softener dispenser. The vinegar smell disappears completely once clothes are dry, and your laundry comes out soft and static-free.
Bonus: Vinegar also helps remove detergent buildup from your clothes and washing machine.
10. Drain Cleaner
For regular maintenance, not serious clogs.
What you need:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 cup white vinegar
- Boiling water
How to make it: Pour the baking soda down the drain, followed by the vinegar. Let it fizz for 10-15 minutes, then flush with boiling water. Do this monthly to keep drains fresh and flowing smoothly.
Important: This works great for preventative care, but if you have a serious clog, you might need to call a plumber.
11. Oven Cleaner
Tackle that baked-on grime without the harsh fumes.
What you need:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 3 tablespoons water
- White vinegar in a spray bottle
How to make it: Make a paste with the baking soda and water. Spread it all over the inside of your oven (avoid heating elements). Let it sit overnight. In the morning, spray with vinegar (it’ll foam up), then wipe everything away with a damp cloth.
My experience: I put off cleaning my oven for way too long because I hated those toxic oven cleaners. This method takes longer, but I can breathe while I’m doing it!
12. Air Freshener Spray
Create any scent you want without artificial fragrances.
What you need:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons vodka or rubbing alcohol (helps it mix and evaporate)
- 15-20 drops essential oils (mix and match your favorites!)
- Spray bottle
How to make it: Combine everything in your spray bottle and shake well before each use. The alcohol helps the oils disperse evenly.
Scent ideas: Lavender and vanilla for bedrooms, lemon and rosemary for kitchens, peppermint and eucalyptus for bathrooms.
Getting Started: Your Shopping List
If you’re ready to dive into DIY cleaning, here’s what you need to stock up on:
The essentials:
- White vinegar (buy the gallon — you’ll use a lot)
- Baking soda (again, go big)
- Liquid castile soap
- Essential oils (start with lemon and tea tree)
- Spray bottles
- Storage containers
Total initial investment: About $30-40, which will last you months and replace probably $200+ worth of cleaning products.
Related Post: 15 Genius Cleaning Hacks That Save Time and Money
The Bottom Line
Look, I’m not going to tell you that you need to make every single one of these products right away. Start with one or two that you use most often — maybe the all-purpose cleaner and the laundry detergent. See how it goes. See how much money you save in just one month.
For me, the biggest surprise wasn’t even the money (though saving $30-50 a month is pretty sweet). It was realizing that cleaning doesn’t have to involve a cabinet full of specialized products. Most dirt and grime can be tackled with just a few simple ingredients.
Plus, there’s something satisfying about looking at your sparkling clean house and knowing you did it with stuff that costs pennies. It’s empowering, honestly.
What about you? Have you tried making your own cleaning products? What worked (or didn’t work) for you? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
Here’s to cleaner homes and fuller wallets!