You head into the kitchen for a quick snack, and there it is. A sticky smear on the counter. A weird spot on the bathroom faucet. Dust on the baseboards. Ugh. Do you really need five different sprays for five tiny messes? Nope. What you need is one bottle that does it all, and you can make it in minutes with stuff you already have.
A simple homemade all purpose cleaner made with vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils can tackle most surfaces in your home naturally, affordably, and fast.
Why Go Homemade?
Let’s be honest, most store-bought cleaners are expensive, overly fragranced, and full of ingredients you can’t pronounce. And you need a different one for every single surface? No thanks. Making your own homemade all purpose cleaner saves money, reduces waste, and gives you control over what you’re spraying around your family, pets, and food.
Tip: Always label your spray bottles! It sounds obvious, but when you’ve got multiple DIY cleaners in the cabinet, you don’t want to mix up your all-purpose spray with your toilet bowl cleaner. Trust me, I’ve been there.
What You’ll Need (and Why It Works)
Here’s what goes into the most effective homemade all purpose cleaner recipe and the science behind why it works:
1. White Vinegar
It’s acidic (around pH 2.4), which helps break down grease, soap scum, and sticky messes. Plus, it’s naturally antibacterial, perfect for kitchens and bathrooms. In my experience, vinegar tackles sticky kitchen messes far better than most store-bought sprays, especially when paired with a microfiber cloth.
2. Baking Soda
This mildly abrasive powder is a weak base (pH ~8.3) that helps lift stains, scrub surfaces, and eliminate odors. When it reacts with vinegar, the fizz helps lift grime.
3. Essential Oils
Tea tree, lemon, and lavender all bring more than just good smells. Tea tree oil, for example, is naturally antibacterial and antifungal. Lemon oil is great for cutting grease and leaving a clean, fresh scent.
How to Make your DIY All Purpose Cleaner
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white vinegar (5% is the safest for maximum type of surfaces)
- 1 cup water (Boiled or distilled)
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 10–15 drops of essential oil
- 16 oz spray bottle
- Small funnel (optional but helpful)
Step-by-step Instructions:
Step 1: Pour vinegar and water into the spray bottle. Use the funnel to get your job done nicely.
Step 2: Slowly add baking soda into the water-vinegar solution.
Tip: Add baking soda slowly to avoid overflow. Dumping it all at once can create a mini science fair volcano!
Step 3: Add essential oils of your choice. I prefer lavender oil for its soft, floral and calming fragrance. And its great for general cleaning, and relaxing home environments
Step 4: Cap the bottle and swirl gently to mix.
Read More: How to clean your microwave with vinegar
Most people don’t realize that shaking a ‘baking soda mix’ too hard can build pressure in the bottle. Always just swirl gently.
How to Use and Store this DIY All Purpose Cleaner?
Just spray this DIY cleaner where necessary and wipe with a microfiber cloth. It will work its best because of its ingredients with cleaning power.
Store in a cool, dark place. Keep this multipurpose cleaner out of direct sunlight to protect the essential oils.
Where to Use It (And Where Not To)
Best for:
- Kitchen counters
- Sinks and faucets
- Toilets
- Mirrors and windows
- Refrigerator shelves
- Door handles
- Trash can lids
Avoid:
- However, avoid using it on natural stones such as granite, marble, or quartz, because the vinegar’s acidity can gradually wear down the protective sealant and create dull spots.
- Hardwood furniture, test a small spot first
Tip: For granite or marble, try a mix of rubbing alcohol, water, and a drop of dish soap instead. It’s safe for sealed stone and still cuts through grime.
Why This is The Best Homemade All Purpose Cleaner?
From Real-Life Results and why reddit loves this! In a Reddit thread with over 500 upvotes, one user shared: “I’ve used this to clean literally every surface in my apartment. Never buying Lysol again.” And they’re not alone.
Stat #1: The University of Arkansas Extension names vinegar and baking soda among the safest and most effective green cleaning options.
Additionally Stat #2: Americans spend an average of $600+ per year on cleaning products, but DIY solutions can cut that number by 60% or more, according to Don’t Waste the Crumbs.
Stat #3: Essential oils like lemon and tea tree have been shown in studies to contain natural antimicrobial properties, not just good-smelling hype! So, they work as homemade multipurpose cleaner too by disinfecting the surfaces.
FAQs
Can I make a homemade all purpose cleaner without vinegar?
Yes! Use:
- 1 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 cup water
- A few drops of dish soap
It’s safer for stone and has no strong vinegar smell. It works best for the people who don’t love vinegar smell.
How long does homemade all purpose DIY cleaner last?
Around 1 month. Store in a cool, dark place, and keep out of direct sunlight to protect essential oils.
Can I use it on glass or mirrors?
Absolutely. Just skip the baking soda for a streak-free shine:
- 1 part vinegar
- 1 part water
- A few drops of lemon oil
Is it safe around pets and kids?
Yes — just don’t spray directly near pets or use toxic essential oils to animals (like eucalyptus for cats). Always label and store properly.
Try It for Yourself!
One bottle. Four ingredients. Countless clean surfaces. This best homemade all purpose cleaner is one of those DIYs you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. Go ahead, whip up a batch and clean your surfaces in five minutes flat. Your future self will be very impressed.
