9 Homemade Cleaning Products That Skip The Harsh Chemicals

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Store-bought cleaners are convenient, but many contain strong chemicals, long ingredient lists, and plenty of plastic packaging. Making your own cleaners gives you more control over what goes into them, and many recipes rely on simple ingredients you may already have around the house.

You don’t need a cabinet full of specialty supplies, either. A few basic ingredients can be turned into cleaners for dishes, showers, windows, countertops, grout, laundry, and more.

Here are nine homemade cleaning products worth trying.

Dishwasher Pods

Homemade dishwasher pods are a handy option if you’d rather mix your own dish-cleaning supplies. The recipe uses straightforward ingredients and lets you skip the long list of additives found in some commercial dishwasher products.

They’re also convenient to make in batches, so you can keep a supply ready for your next load of dishes.

DIY Shower Cleaner

Soap scum, hard-water spots, and grime have a way of building up in the shower, even if you clean it regularly. A homemade shower cleaner can make the job a little easier.

This recipe uses ingredients such as vinegar and Castile soap. Spray it over the shower surfaces, give it some time to work, then wipe everything down.

Get the Formula: DIY Shower Cleaner

Garbage Disposal Cleaner Tabs

A garbage disposal can start to smell pretty unpleasant after food scraps and residue collect inside. These homemade cleaning tabs offer an easy way to freshen it up using simple household ingredients.

Keep a batch on hand and use them whenever your sink area starts to develop an odor.

Get the Formula: Garbage Disposal Cleaner Tabs

Orange Peel All-Purpose Cleaner

Don’t throw those orange peels away just yet. You can use them to make a simple vinegar-based cleaner for many everyday household jobs.

The orange peels sit in vinegar, giving the cleaner a fresh citrus scent while the vinegar works on everyday dirt and grime. It’s a useful way to give kitchen scraps another purpose.

Get the Formula: Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner

Dishwasher Powder

If you’d rather use powdered dishwasher detergent than pods, this homemade version takes just four ingredients: washing soda, baking soda, citric acid, and kosher salt.

It’s easy to mix and store, making it a practical choice if you prefer keeping your cleaning supplies in larger batches.

Get the Formula: How to Make Dishwasher Powder at Home: An All-Natural Recipe

Glass Cleaner

Windows and mirrors don’t need a complicated cleaning solution. This homemade glass cleaner combines rubbing alcohol and vinegar to cut through everyday dirt and grime.

Keep the mixture in a labeled spray bottle so it’s ready whenever fingerprints, smudges, or cloudy spots show up on your glass surfaces.

Get the Formula: DIY Glass Cleaner

Homemade Grout Cleaner

Grout can be one of the most annoying parts of a kitchen or bathroom to clean. Dirt settles into those narrow lines between the tiles, and floors tend to collect plenty of mess from everyday foot traffic, kids, and pets.

This homemade grout cleaner uses baking soda, Castile soap, and lemon essential oil. Apply it to the grout and scrub with a suitable brush to work away surface dirt.

Get the Formula: How to Make Homemade Grout Cleaner

Granite Countertop Cleaner

Granite countertops need a little extra care since acidic cleaners can damage some stone surfaces. This homemade granite cleaner uses Castile soap, rubbing alcohol, and essential oils.

Spray it onto the countertop and wipe with a soft cloth for a quick everyday clean. Before using any homemade cleaner on natural stone, check your countertop manufacturer’s care instructions and test the mixture on an inconspicuous area.

Get the Formula: Granite Cleaner

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Making your own powdered laundry detergent can be a simple way to reduce the number of commercial cleaning products you buy. The ingredients can be mixed ahead of time and stored in an airtight container, giving you a ready supply for laundry day.

Homemade detergent can be especially useful for people who like knowing exactly which ingredients they’re putting into their household cleaners.

Get the Formula: Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe