9 Homemade Cleaners Made With Everyday Household Ingredients

Store-bought cleaners are convenient, but they can also be expensive and come with ingredients you may not recognize. Making your own gives you more control over what goes into your cleaning products, and many recipes rely on simple items you may already have at home.

From dishwasher detergent to glass cleaner, these homemade options can handle plenty of everyday cleaning jobs without requiring a cabinet full of specialty products.

Here are nine homemade cleaning products worth trying around the house.

Dishwasher Pods

If you like the convenience of dishwasher pods but would rather make your own, this recipe is a good place to start. The ingredients are easy to find, and you can make a batch ahead of time so you have them ready whenever you run the dishwasher.

Making your own also means you know exactly what went into each pod.

DIY Shower Cleaner

Soap scum and grime have a way of building up in the shower, even if you clean it often. A homemade shower cleaner can help keep those surfaces looking cleaner between deep cleans.

This recipe combines simple ingredients, including vinegar and Castile soap, to make a handy spray for routine shower cleaning.

Get the Formula: DIY Shower Cleaner

Garbage Disposal Cleaner Tabs

A garbage disposal can start smelling unpleasant after food residue builds up inside. These homemade cleaner tabs offer an easy way to freshen it up with a few basic ingredients.

Keep a batch on hand and use them as part of your regular kitchen cleaning routine.

Get the Formula: Garbage Disposal Cleaner Tabs

Orange Peel All-Purpose Cleaner

Don’t throw away those orange peels just yet. This homemade cleaner combines orange peels with vinegar to create a simple solution for many everyday cleaning jobs.

The citrus peels also give the vinegar a more pleasant scent, making this a handy option for wiping down suitable household surfaces.

Get the Formula: Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner

Dishwasher Powder

If you prefer powdered dishwasher detergent, you can make your own with four ingredients: washing soda, baking soda, citric acid, and kosher salt.

It takes only a little time to mix, and you can store the finished powder in an airtight container for future loads of dishes.

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

Glass Cleaner

Fingerprints, dust, and smudges can make windows and mirrors look dirty in no time. A homemade glass cleaner gives you a quick option for those surfaces without buying another bottle of cleaner.

This recipe uses rubbing alcohol and vinegar, two common household ingredients, and takes just a few minutes to mix.

Get the Formula: DIY Glass Cleaner

Homemade Grout Cleaner

Grout is one of those areas that can look dirty long before you notice the rest of the floor needs cleaning. Kitchen spills, bathroom moisture, kids, and pets can all leave their mark.

This homemade grout cleaner combines baking soda, Castile soap, and lemon essential oil for a simple scrub that can help loosen everyday grime from grout lines.

Get the Formula: How to Make Homemade Grout Cleaner

Granite Countertop Cleaner

Granite countertops need a little extra care since some household cleaners can be too harsh for natural stone. This homemade granite cleaner uses Castile soap, rubbing alcohol, and essential oils.

It’s a simple recipe for routine cleaning, but always check your countertop manufacturer’s care instructions before using a homemade cleaner.

Get the Formula: Granite Cleaner

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Laundry detergent is something most households go through quickly, so making your own can be a practical option if you enjoy DIY household products.

This powdered laundry detergent recipe is made at home and can be used for everyday laundry and tougher messes. You also get to choose the ingredients rather than relying on a premixed commercial formula.

Get the Formula: Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe