Many, if not all of us, have been deeply affected by the direct and indirect impacts of this virus. Confined to their home, their jobs, taken an income hit, or at the very least struggling from stress and anxiety related to the change in lifestyle. Today we are going to explore one way you can save money, protect you and your family’s health without the use of harmful toxins.

DIY Cleaning Products: Going Low-Tox In Your Home

The majority of mainstream cleaning products are highly toxic to humans. Harsh cleaning agents and antibacterial soaps may be effective cleaners, but this comes at the cost of our health in the long-run.

Cleaning and sanitizing products do not need to be toxic to be effective. Learning to make your own cleaning products is easy and also extremely cost-effective.

Since many of us are spending more time than usual at home, this can be a way to take back your power, save some money, and keep the house clean without harming your health. Since we’re using non-toxic ingredients, making DIY home cleaning products can be a fun activity for the whole family!

You probably already have many of these ingredients in your cupboards. If not, consider buying them in bulk. Buying ingredients like bi-carb soda, vinegar, or distilled water becomes very cheap when bought in bulk quantities.

Since so many of the ingredients crossover, you’ll be sure to use them up in various cleaning products for the whole home. Although things like essential oils can be a bit more costly, a small quantity goes a long way with oils– and for cleaning products, you do not have to invest in food-grade oils.

DIY Cleaning Products: What Ingredients Do I Need?

Many of the recipes in this DIY guide use many of the same ingredients, let’s explore them a little so you can understand why these homemade cleaning products are non-tox all-stars.

Castile Soap

Castile soap gets mentioned first because it is the kind of homemade cleaning products. It can (diluted or combined) cleans almost any surface. As a vegetable-based soap, it’s completely natural and free of synthetic ingredients.

Bicarbonate of Soda/ Baking Soda

Bicarbonate of soda or baking soda is a common natural cleaning ingredient for a few reasons, including its antibacterial properties and its semi-abrasive scrub-power. It also acts as a deodorizer and stain remover. Much like castile soap, baking soda can be used alone to scrub any appliance or plumbing fixture (like sinks, baths, toilets, ovens, and fridges)

White Vinegar

White vinegar is a powerful antibacterial agent that fights grease, stains, odors, and even mildew. Although the smell can be quite intense off the bat, the smell of vinegar dispels rather quickly and can mask it by soaking the vinegar in citrus peels or by using essential oils.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice contains citric acid, which is a potent stain remover. Lemons are known for their antimicrobial properties, and it can be used either as fresh lemon juice or a lemon essential oil.

Salt

Salt is a great cleaning ingredient because, like baking soda, it offers scrubbing power. It also has antibacterial properties, which is why it preserves food.

Distilled Water

Distilled water does a better job than tap water because it has fewer dissolved solids. Dissolved solids could leave other stains on the surface when the water itself evaporates. So when making a cleaning product for a surface, best use distilled. When diluting something for laundry use (for example), using regular tap water is fine.

Vodka

When it comes to antimicrobial power, alcohol is king. Vodka is a great and accessible option, but since store-bought vodka ranges between 40-45% alcohol (which is 80-90 proof). Alcohol is often in cleaning products, but very diluted. For this reason, it is generally better to opt for high-proof alcohol like Everclear 190.

High Proof Grain Alcohol (Everclear 190)

Higher proof grain alcohol is explicitly used for things like tinctures and sanitizing recipes. Since recipes dilute alcohol (particularly the hand sanitizing recipe below), you may want to consider getting your hands on something like Everclear 190 to ensure your final product is still considered a highly effective antibacterial agent.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel only has mild antimicrobial properties (compared to vodka and high proof grain alcohol). Still, it is undoubtedly the most gentle and nourishing liquid, particularly when combined with aloe vera. It is an excellent option for homemade children-friendly hand sanitizing sprays.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are potent concentrations of plant matter and hold an array of medicinal, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Some of the top antiviral essential oils include tea tree, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, cinnamon, lavender, clove, oregano, and eucalyptus.^[1]

DIY Cleaning Products: Recipes

Hand Sanitizer Gel

This simple and yet potent hand sanitizer is child-friendly and easy on the skin. Ideal for someone who regularly needs to use hand sanitizer (as harsher sprays can dry up hands).

Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup aloe vera gel
• 25 drops antibacterial essential oil

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl
2. Pour into a silicone or plastic squeeze bottle

Hand Sanitizer Spray

This spray is a more potent version of the hand sanitizing gel because it contains alcohol! It may be too harsh on children but is ideal for use after certain environments (like public bathrooms, gyms, or hospitals). To make a child-friendly spray, consider swapping the alcohol for witch hazel.

Ingredients:

• Two tablespoons alcohol (ideally high-proof alcohol like Everclear 190)
• Two tablespoons distilled water
• 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin (optional)
• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
• 25 drops antibacterial essential oil

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl
2. Pour into a spray bottle

All-Purpose Cleaner

This combination is ideal for use on most surfaces, especially countertops. A couple of sprays and a wipe down, and your surfaces are clean without the nasty added chemicals and artificial scents.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• Peel of 1 orange
• Peel of 1 lemon
• Optional: 10 drops of essential oil (clove, cinnamon, thyme, oregano, or tea tree)

Instructions:

1. Place vinegar in a jar with the orange and lemon peel, let sit for 2-4 weeks
2. After infusing the vinegar without citrus peels, combined with water in a spray bottle.

Dish soap

The easiest option for dish soap is diluting castile soap with water, at 4:1 ratio. A hot tip is to put the 4:1 mixture into a spray bottle and use that instead of pouring it out every time. Using a spray bottle foams the mix and uses very minimal soap to get the job done. You can optionally add 5-10 drops of essential oil, like lemon, tea tree, eucalyptus, or lavender per 2 cups of the solution (4 cup water, 1 cup castile soap).

Dishwashing Pods

Dishwashing machines are a great invention, particularly in a busy household. The detergents, however, are often highly toxic. The residue stays on your food, and a hot plate of food can easily pick up this residue, then making its way into your mouth day after day.

Simply tossing an eco-liquid dish soap into your dishwashing machine will result in an over-flooded bubbly mess in the kitchen. There is, however, a natural DIY solution to dishwashing machine soap: DIY convenient non-toxic pods.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Two teaspoons of natural dish soap (or castile soap)
• Two tablespoons of vinegar (potentially a small amount more, enough to dampen the mixture)
• A silicone ice cube tray

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the salt and the baking soda
2. Add the dish soap and vinegar, and mix well
3. You want the mixture to feel moist, but not wet. If it needs a little more liquid, add some more vinegar. You do not want the mix to be wet, or the pods will not set!
4. Pack one tablespoon of the mixture per ice cube tray and use the back of a spoon to compress the mixture into the tray.
5. Let the tray dry for 24-48 hours in a warm place, then gently remove the pods from molds and store them in an airtight container.
6. Use one pod per load! (The recipe makes about 15 pods)

DIY Cleaning Products: Dishwashing Detergent

If pods aren’t your thing, this recipe might be up your alley. It’s simpler, and by storing the powder in an airtight container, you can use it similarly to any loose powder dishwashing detergent.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups borax
• 2 cups washing soda
• 1 cup citric acid
• 1 cup of salt
• Optional: essential oils (a lemon is a great option!)

Instructions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in an airtight container
2. Use one tablespoon per dishwashing load

DIY Cleaning Products: Microwave Cleaner

There’s an easy way to clean the microwave without any need to scrub. Simply put a cup of water with 2-3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice into the microwave, and run the microwave for 2 minutes. Keep the microwave door closed for 3-4 minutes after it finishes, and then simply use a warm cloth to clean it with no need for scrubbing!

DIY Cleaning Products: Laundry Soap

One of the easiest, most natural options when it comes to laundry cleaner is soapberries (also known as soap nuts). When soapberries are tossed around in the wash, they release saponin, which dissolves dirt and cleans your clothes. Soapberries are antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial. They are extremely eco-friendly, and one dose (about six berries) can be used multiple times.

If you can’t get your hands on soap nuts or prefer a more traditional laundry soap or powder, you have a few natural DIY options.

Ingredients:

• 1 bar of natural castile soap (like Dr. Bronners)
•  2 cups of borax
• 2 cups of sodium carbonate
• A 5-gallon jug
• Optional: essential oils (for scent)

Instructions:

1. Grate the bar of soap or pulverize it in a food processor
2. Melt the soap down in a saucepan in about 5 cups of water
3. Put all the ingredients into the 5-gallon jug, and fill it to the top with very hot water
4. Stir well, and then let sit overnight.
5. Use ½ cup of liquid per load of laundry.

Laundry Powder

If you’re more into powder instead of liquid soap, opt for the recipe below!

Ingredients:

• 1 bar of natural castile soap (like Dr. Bronners)
• 1 cup Borax
• 1 cup sodium carbonate

Instructions:

1. Grate the bar of soap, or toss it in a food processor until finely ground
2. Mix all three ingredients, and store in an airtight container
3. Use two tablespoons of laundry powder per load of laundry

Scented Laundry Sheets

Conventional laundry sheets used to scent laundry are highly toxic and environmentally unfriendly. Instead, make a sachet of your favorite dried herbs. You can even make something as simple as cutting a large square in an old t-shirt, placing dried herbs inside (like lavender, or lemon verbena), and tie a string around to keep it shut. Just toss it into the drier at the same time that you do your clothes.

Floor Cleaner

Cleaning floors (non-wooden) can be done with a 1:2 ratio white vinegar to warm distilled water (so one cup white vinegar to two cups warm distilled water). You can optionally add five drops of essential oils, like tea tree or lemon.

Clean using a mop, leaving it to air dry.

Wooden Floor Cleaner

Although you can use the floor cleaner above for most wood floors, certain finishes don’t do well with water. In that case, or just to be safe, you can mix a ¾ cups white vinegar with ¼ castile soap, and optionally a few drops of essential oils. It’s necessary to apply this mixture using a spray bottle, as not to apply too much. Then use a mop to wash the floor, and let air dry.

Carpet Stain Remover

Ingredients:

• Two tablespoons salt
• ½ cup white vinegar
• Two tablespoons borax (if the stain is dark)

Instructions:

1. Combine salt and vinegar and put onto the stain; if the stain is dark, add the borax to the mixture.
2. Place on the stain, and let it dry completely and vacuum the carpet.

Carpet Deodorizers

Carpets can absorb smells, particularly if the room is connected to a kitchen. This simple recipe will remove odors without any nasty chemicals.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda
• 15 drops of essential oil (like lavender or orange)

Instructions:

1. In a jar, combine the bicarb soda and essential oils and shake well.
2. When needed, sprinkle the mixture across the carpet and let sit for 30-60 minutes before vacuuming away.

Shower/ Sink Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup distilled water
• Optional: 5 drops tea tree or lemon essential oil
• For very dirty surfaces: baking soda

Instructions:

1. In a spray bottle, combine the vinegar and water (and optionally the essential oil)
2. If the surface is particularly grimy, dust the sink or shower with baking soda. Let sit for 2 minutes before spraying down with the vinegar and water solution and wipe clean.

Toilet Cleaner

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup bicarbonate of soda
• ¼ cup white vinegar
• Ten drops of essential oil (we suggest tea tree)

Instructions:

1. Place all three ingredients in the toilet bowl and let them sit for 5 minutes
2. Scrub the bowl using a toilet scrubber and then flush!

Drain Cleaner

Ingredients:

• ½ cup baking soda
• ½ cup white vinegar
• 1-gallon water (tap water is fine)

Instructions:

1. Start by boiling a gallon of water
2. While the water is boiling, pour the baking soda down the drain, followed by the vinegar.
3. Let the fizzing mixture sit in the sink for 5 minutes before washing it down with the gallon of boiling water.

Windows & Mirrors

A hot tip for cleaning mirrors and windows without leaving streaks is to do it on a hot day!

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup white vinegar
• 1 cup tap water
• Optional: 5 drops of essential oil (just for the smell, we like lemon)

Instructions:

1. Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle, and use normally. If mirrors are particularly dirty, wash first using soap and water.

Air Freshener Spray

Air fresheners can be as simple as a spray bottle filled with water and 5-10 drops of essential oil. A little oil goes a long way, and make sure you shake the bottle before spraying (since water and oil repel one another).

Some of our favorite room scents are lavender, orange oil, sandalwood, or vetiver.

Mold and Mildew

Getting rid of mold can be a tricky task, and if it’s black mold, you want to tackle it properly with a mold removal company. But for less dangerous mold or mildew, try combining 1 cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle with about 15-20 drops of tea tree oil. Spray the whole area well, and then rinse off with warm water after (and potentially scrub using a cloth).

Wooden Furniture Polish

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup lemon juice
• ½ cup olive instructions:

1. Mix the lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl, and then using a cloth, apply a small amount to the wood in circular motions.

References

1. Brochot, Amandine, et al. “Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antiviral Effects of Three Essential Oil Blends.” MicrobiologyOpen, vol. 6, no. 4, 2017, doi:10.1002/mbo3.459.