How to Make a DIY All-Purpose Cleaner for (Almost) Every Surface

Front still life of DIY all-purpose cleaner next to lemons and a sponge

The Spruce / Danielle Daly

Project Overview
  • Total Time: 10 - 15 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5 to 10

Mixing up a batch of your favorite homemade all-purpose cleaner can simplify your cleaning routine. You don't need multiple commercial cleaning products cluttering your cabinets. One or two DIY all-purpose cleaners can take care of nearly all your cleaning chores around the house. Here are four recipes for DIY all-purpose cleaners that you can quickly make with basic ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Before You Begin

No single product is safe and effective for cleaning every surface in your home. For instance, distilled white vinegar and water are great for cleaning non-porous surfaces, including glass and windows, but it is harmful to use on unsealed granite and other types of stone because the acid can etch the stone.

Before using any DIY or commercial cleaning product, take the time to understand the ingredients, how they work, and the type of material you are cleaning.

Safety Considerations

There are safety considerations to think about before making any type of homemade cleaner.

  • Always use a new container to store the DIY cleaner. Old bottles may still have traces of other chemicals that can cause an unfortunate reaction.
  • Always apply a label to the container that states the purpose and ingredients. No one wants a mix-up about what is in a cleaning product.
  • Never mix certain products unless you are sure they are safe to combine.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Spray bottle
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Label
  • Marker

Materials

  • Distilled white vinegar or cleaning vinegar
  • Distilled water
  • Fragrance, such as essential oils, herbs, or citrus peels (optional)

Instructions

Overhead still life of materials needed to make DIY cleaner

The Spruce / Danielle Daly

How to Make a Vinegar-Based DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

When making this DIY all-purpose cleaner, use cleaning or distilled white vinegar. The acetic acid in vinegar, also used in many store-bought cleaners, is a powerful cleaning agent that dissolves mineral deposits and greasy smudges. Take these steps.

  1. Fill a Spray Bottle

    Fill a clean spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and distilled water and label the bottle. Use distilled water when making cleaners because it contains no trace minerals or chemicals. If you live in a hard water area, the level of minerals in the water can leave scratches or water spots on surfaces.

    Tip

    If you don't have distilled water, boil the required amount of water and allow it to cool before mixing it with other ingredients.

    Filling a glass spray bottle with distilled white vinegar

    The Spruce / Danielle Daly

  2. Add Fragrance

    Give the cleaner a fresh scent. Even though the smell of vinegar dissipates quickly, you can personalize the fragrance of your DIY all-purpose cleaner with essential oils, citrus, or herbs. Or, you can make a DIY scented vinegar for the mixture. If you choose another fragrance option, here are some guidelines:

    • Oils: Add about 10 drops of your favorite essential oil into the water and vinegar in the spray bottle and shake to mix. If you plan to add essential oils, consider using a glass spray bottle. Essential oils, even diluted in the liquids, can still be concentrated enough to degrade some types of plastic bottles and cause leaks.
    • Citrus peels: Add lemon, orange, or lime peels to the vinegar mixture in the spray bottle.
    • Herbs: Add herbs like sprigs of rosemary or mint to the mixture.
    Adding essential oils to the spray bottle

    The Spruce / Danielle Daly

  3. Use and Store Your Vinegar All-Purpose Cleaner Properly

    • Mist the surfaces you are cleaning lightly and wipe away the soil with a lint-free microfiber cloth.
    • A mixture of only vinegar and distilled water will last indefinitely. 
    • A mix made with fresh citrus peels or herbs will have a short shelf life, so discard the mixture after one month and make a fresh batch.
    Using DIY all-purpose cleaner

    The Spruce / Danielle Daly

How to Make an Alcohol-Based DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol is sold in drug stores in two levels of concentration: 70 percent and 99 percent. 70 percent is best for a DIY all-purpose cleaner. The solution has more water which helps the solvent dissolve more slowly to give it more time to break apart dirt and grease molecules. Use caution and do not use this cleaner on vinyl, rubber, certain plastics, or painted or lacquered wood surfaces. Take these steps to make this cleaner.

  • Mix the ingredients: Add the following to a glass spray bottle: 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 3/4 cup water, 5 to 10 drops of essential oil, and 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid soap.
  • Use the alcohol-based cleaner safely: Shake the spray bottle well before each use. Spritz the cleaner lightly on the non-porous surface and wipe away grime with a microfiber cloth.
  • Store the alcohol-based cleaner safely: Since isopropyl alcohol is flammable, store the container in a cool place away from any direct heat source.

How to Make a Lemon Juice-Based All-Purpose Cleaner

The citric acid in lemon juice is an excellent degreaser, and the gentle abrasive power of baking soda helps cut through sticky messes. Do not use this cleaner on natural stone or hardwood floors or furniture. However, use this lemon cleanser for your bathroom, including the toilet bowl, and to scour stains off pots and pans. Here are the directions for this cleaner.

  • Mix the ingredients: In a spray bottle, combine 2 cups distilled water, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, and 1 tablespoon baking soda. If you don't have lemon juice, use one tablespoon of citric acid powder instead.
  • Use the lemon juice-based all-purpose cleaner: Spritz the surfaces and wipe away the mess with a microfiber cloth. If you are cleaning a very greasy surface, dip the microfiber cloth in hot water and wring until it is not dripping to help lift the grease from the surface.
  • Store the lemon juice-based cleaner properly: If you have any cleaner left, store the spray bottle in a cool, dark place. Lemon juice stays fresh for up to a week so making small batches with this method is best.

How to Make an All-Purpose Cleaner With Castile Soap

Castile soap is a non-toxic cleaner that works great indoors and outdoors on all types of surfaces. It's biodegradable and gentle on your hands. When you rinse away the cleaner outdoors, it won't harm plants, grass, or waterways. Use liquid or bar castile soap for this recipe. For bar form, grate it and dissolve it in water. Essential oils will add more germ-killing power to the cleaner. Here's how to make this cleaner.

  • Mix the ingredients: In a spray bottle, combine 1 cup of distilled water, 1 tablespoon of unscented liquid castile soap, and 10 to 15 drops of essential oil.
  • Use the castile soap cleaner: Spray any areas and surfaces that need to be cleaned and wipe with a damp cloth.
  • Store the castile soap cleaner properly: Store the spray bottle out of direct sunlight or heat, which may change the chemicals in the essential oils.