DIY Homemade All Purpose Cleaner

Keeping your home clean doesn’t have to involve harsh chemicals. With a few natural ingredients, you can create an effective all-purpose cleaner that’s safe for your family and the environment. This DIY all-purpose cleaner uses the power of citrus and essential oils to freshen and disinfect surfaces without leaving any toxic residues behind.

A brown spray bottle labeled "All Purpose Cleaner" stands on a light surface. A green patterned cloth is draped beside it. The background features white hexagonal tiles. — All Purpose Cleaner. Photo credit: The Happy Body Project.

Why Make Your Own Cleaning Products?

Switching to homemade cleaning solutions offers several benefits:

Safety: Commercial cleaning products often contain harmful chemicals that can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs. A natural cleaner reduces exposure to these substances.
Environmentally Friendly: By using biodegradable ingredients like vinegar and citrus, you minimize environmental impact, reducing the number of pollutants entering waterways.
Cost-Effective: Homemade cleaners are significantly cheaper to make compared to buying standard commercial products.
Customizable: You can adjust the scent and strength of your cleaner depending on your preferences and cleaning needs.

Ingredients for Your All-Purpose Cleaner

Here’s what you’ll need to make about 32 ounces of citrus-infused vinegar, which can be diluted to create a larger quantity of cleaner:

Oranges: You’ll use the peels for their natural citrus oils, which have excellent grease-cutting and freshening properties.
Vinegar: Vinegar acts as a powerful disinfectant and cleaner, breaking down dirt, grime, and bacteria.
Water: Dilutes the vinegar to a usable strength without diminishing its cleaning power.
Essential Oils (optional): Adds antiseptic properties and a pleasant aroma. Good choices include citrus oils, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, thyme, and cinnamon.
Spray Bottle: Glass spray bottles are great for easy application. Clear glass or amber works great.
Glass Jar: To infuse the vinegar with orange peels.

Two photos show a DIY orange cleaner process. Left: A jar filled with orange peels and clear liquid. Right: A jar with light orange liquid, with a strainer and orange peels above it. A hexagonal tile background is visible. — All Purpose Cleaner. Photo credit: The Happy Body Project.

How to Make Your DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

Prepare the Infusion: Peel the oranges and place the peels in a glass jar. Completely cover the peels with vinegar. Secure the lid and set the jar aside to infuse for a few weeks. This process draws the oils and scent from the orange peels into the vinegar, enhancing its cleaning power.
Strain the Mixture: After the infusion period, strain out the orange peels and pour the infused vinegar into a clean spray bottle.
Dilute and Enhance: Fill the spray bottle halfway with the infused vinegar and top off with water. If using essential oils, add 30 drops to the 16-ounce spray bottle for additional disinfecting power and fragrance.
Mix and Use: Shake the bottle well to mix the vinegar, water, and oils. Your all-purpose cleaner is now ready to use on surfaces such as countertops, appliances, and floors.

A brown glass spray bottle is placed between two oranges on a white surface, with a hexagonal tiled background. — All Purpose Cleaner. Photo credit: The Happy Body Project.

Using Your Natural Cleaner

Spray the cleaner on any surface that needs cleaning and wipe down with a cloth or sponge. For tougher stains or buildup, let the cleaner sit for a few minutes before wiping. Always shake the bottle before use to ensure the ingredients are well combined.

Surfaces to Avoid with Vinegar-Based Cleaners

While vinegar is a fantastic cleaning agent for many surfaces, there are some materials where its use is not recommended due to potential damage. Here’s a list of surfaces you should avoid cleaning with vinegar:

Natural Stone Surfaces: Vinegar can etch natural stone materials like granite, marble, and limestone.
Waxed Surfaces: Vinegar can strip the wax off of waxed furniture and flooring.
Hardwood Floors: Vinegar can damage the finish of hardwood floors.
Electronic Screens: Vinegar can remove the protective coatings on the screens of electronic devices.
Certain Metals: Vinegar can cause corrosion in metals like iron, aluminum, and copper.

A spray bottle labeled "All Purpose Cleaner" is set against a tiled background. The image has a banner at the top reading "HOMEMADE" and a pink stripe with "All Purpose Cleaner." A cloth is partially visible beside the bottle. — All Purpose Cleaner. Photo credit: The Happy Body Project.

By making this simple, natural all-purpose cleaner, you not only keep your home clean and fresh but also contribute to a healthier living environment. Plus, the uplifting scent of citrus and your chosen essential oils will make cleaning a more pleasant and rewarding experience.

Make sure to check out our large library of homemade cleaning and home products. You may especially be interested in the homemade laundry powder and homemade liquid dish soap.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The content of this article, provided by The Happy Body Project (Holistic Fit LLC), is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about medical conditions or new products. If you suspect a medical condition, seek immediate attention. Do not delay or disregard medical advice based on this information. Suggestions for homemade products are for informational purposes only and should be made and used at your own risk. Reliance on any information in this article is solely at your discretion.