Best Homemade All Purpose Cleaner Recipe

It’s time to ditch your toxic household cleaners and make your own natural cleaners instead. Today, I’m sharing my DIY all purpose cleaner recipe. It’s the best homemade all purpose cleaner you’ll ever try!

Best DIY All Purpose Cleaner

I was cleaning my bathroom the other day when it dawned on me that I had never shared any of my DIY cleaner recipes (except for my homemade thieves cleaner).

Which is crazy because I love making my own homemade cleaners. I’ve been making them and using them for over ten years now.

When my boys were young, I learned all about the potential dangers of household cleaning products, and the thought of exposing my children to toxic chemicals on a daily basis freaked me out!

So, I learned to make my own homemade cleaners with natural ingredients, and I’ve never gone back.

(This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure statement here.)

I am not a doctor and the statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products mentioned here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please do not ask me for medical advice. Click here to read my full disclaimer.

Dangers of Household Cleaning Products

Many store-bought cleaning products contain dangerous chemicals. These chemicals can cause headaches, irritate the throat and eyes, and cause respiratory problems. Some have even been linked to cancer.

You can click here to learn more about the potential dangers of household cleaning products.

Dangers of Breathing in Cleaning Chemicals

Breathing in chemicals from household cleaners can cause damage to the lungs.

Studies have shown that women who work around cleaners showed a more significant decline in lung function than women who haven’t been exposed to cleaners regularly.

You can click here to check out the study.

Environmental Effects of Chemicals in Cleaning Products

Household cleaners are not only harmful to your health but also really bad for the environment.

When you use toxic cleaners to clean your sinks or showers, those chemicals are washed down the drain.

Most of those chemicals are removed at wastewater treatment facilities, but not all of them. Unfortunately, many of them end up in our lakes and rivers.

The plastic bottles used to store household cleaners also harm the environment by contributing to the already massive landfills.

You can click here to learn more about the harmful effects of cleaning products on the environment.

Harmful Household Cleaning Products

Below are some of the most dangerous household cleaners. If you own these, I would throw them out right away.

• Simple Green
• Drano
• Scrubbing Bubbles
• Aerosol Air Fresheners
• Comet
• 409

There are actually many, many more. You can visit the EWG website to discover how your favorite cleaner ranks.

And don’t let those so-called “natural” cleaners fool you.

Brands such as Mrs. Meyers and Method actually use some very questionable ingredients and are not as natural as they would like you to believe.

So be sure to also check out their ratings on the EWG website.

DIY All-Purpose Cleaner Without Vinegar

Vinegar is a potent cleaning agent and all-natural deodorizer.

I use vinegar in my all natural DIY glass cleaner and my all natural DIY chicken coop spray & deodorizer.

Without vinegar, neither of those homemade cleaning products would work as well as they do.

Vinegar is amazing!

By the way, if you are looking for a non-toxic glass cleaner, I highly recommend checking out my homemade glass cleaner recipe.

It works better than any store-bought glass cleaner I have ever tried and is 100% natural.

But with all of that being said, this DIY all-purpose cleaner recipe does not include vinegar.

Castile soap is the main active ingredient in this homemade all-purpose cleaner. Castile soap and vinegar do not mix well.

Castile soap is a base, and vinegar is an acid. When combined, they will directly react with each other and cancel each other out.

DIY All-Purpose Cleaner With Essential Oils

Like many of my other homemade products, I like adding essential oils. The essential oils not only give the cleaner a little extra cleaning power, but they also make it smell amazing!

My favorite essential oils for cleaning are lemon, orange, lavender, tea tree, and peppermint. You can add whichever essential oil combinations you like best.

Some of my favorite combinations are below in the frequently asked questions section.

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner Ingredients

You’ll need a 16-oz glass spray bottle and the ingredients below to make this homemade all-purpose cleaner.

• Distilled or filtered water
• Unscented castile soap
• Essential oils (my favorite oil combos are below)

How to Make DIY All Purpose Cleaner

This recipe literally takes 5 minutes or less to make. Just follow the simple directions below.

• Add 20 drops of your favorite essential oils to the bottle
• Fill with distilled or filtered water (leave a little bit of room for the castile soap)
• Add 2 tbsp of castile soap
• Attach nozzle
• Shake well

How to Use Homemade All Purpose Cleaner

As the name implies, this can be used for many different purposes.

I use it on countertops, floors, sinks, toilets, stovetops, refrigerators, and anything else you can think of. It is a true all purpose cleaner.

Just remember to shake the bottle well before each use!

How to Store Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

The best way to store this cleaner is in a cool, dark place.

Heat can cause mold and bacteria to grow, so try to store this DIY all-purpose cleaner in a cool, dark place, like under your kitchen sink.

It is also important to keep it in a dark glass bottle, as sunlight can damage the essential oils in this all-purpose cleaner. 

The bottle should be made out of glass because pure essential oils are very potent, and plastic may begin to deteriorate and leach into the cleaner.

How Long Does DIY All-Purpose Cleaner Last?

I recommend using this DIY all-purpose cleaner within 30 days. The water included in this recipe can breed mold and bacteria if left to sit for too long.

I personally use a bottle of this homemade all-purpose cleaner every week. As I mentioned before, I use it for many different things!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Tap Water Instead of Distilled or Filtered Water?

I personally only use distilled water because I know how toxic the tap water in my area is, and the whole purpose of this DIY cleaner is to avoid toxins.

Also, the minerals in tap water can clog your spray nozzle and leave residue on your home’s surfaces.

You are free to use whatever type of water you like. Distilled water is just my personal preference.

If you know your tap water is safe or you are just not concerned about the potential toxic chemicals in the tap water, then by all means, use that instead.

Which Essential Oil Combinations Are Best?

I’m constantly changing up my essential oil combinations. Some of my go-to essential oil combos are below.

• 10 drops tea tree & 10 drops lemon
• 10 drops lemon & 10 drops lavender
• 10 drops orange & 10 drops lemon
• 10 drops peppermint & 10 drops lemon

As you can see, I really like lemon. It’s great for cleaning!

Can I Use Scented Castile Soap?

You don’t have to use unscented castile soap. If you have a scented castile soap on hand, you can totally use that.

I prefer to use unscented because I like to create my own scent combinations with essential oils, and sometimes the scented castile soap can interfere with the scent I am trying to achieve.

What Brand of Essential Oils Do You Recommend?

I am a huge fan of Plant Therapy and Simply Earth essential oils.

Please don’t think you have to spend a ton of money or join an MLM (or both) to use essential oils.

In my honest opinion, MLM-brand essential oils are ridiculously overpriced. I should know because I used to be part of one.

I’ve tried MLM-brand essential oils, and they work great, but the essential oil brands I mentioned above are just as great and a fraction of the price.

So save your money!

If you purchase from Simply Earth, you can use the code HAPPYHEARTFREE to receive a big bonus box and a $45 Simply Earth gift card with the purchase of an essential oil recipe box.

You’ll get the recipe box, the big bonus box, plus a $45 Simply Earth gift card for only $29.99 (new customers only)!!!

Click here to take advantage of this incredible offer.

Final Thoughts

Creating your own homemade all-purpose cleaner is a simple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way to keep your home spotless while avoiding harsh chemicals.

With just a few natural ingredients like castile soap and essential oils, you can make a powerful cleaner that works on various surfaces and leaves your home smelling fresh.

Plus, customizing the scent and strength to your preference makes it even more versatile.

By switching to a DIY cleaner, you’re not only reducing waste and saving money but also ensuring a healthier environment for you and your family. Give this homemade recipe a try, and enjoy a cleaner home with peace of mind!

If you are interested in learning additional ways to make your home more toxin-free, I recommend checking out this article—5 Simple Steps to a Toxin-free Home.

If you have any comments or questions, please share them below!

Other Posts You May Like:

• Homemade Bath Oil Recipe
• DIY Deodorant that Works
• DIY Roll-on Perfume
• DIY Body Spray With Essential Oils
• All Natural DIY Chicken Coop Spray & Deodorizer