Want to make beautiful, natural candles to burn in your home or gift to family and friends but don’t want to spend hours on a DIY project? Here’s how to make the most beautiful homemade candles using simple ingredients in just 20 minutes (with both scented and unscented options)!

In this blog, I’m outlining the exact steps you’ll need to successfully make beautiful jar candles at home. If you’d like to make taper candles, follow this guide.

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

This recipe is a great starting point. Use the recipe (just wax and wicks) and customize with your favorite scents (I love to combine rosemary and lavender essential oils) or go all natural with no added scents. 

Candle Ingredients 

• 4 cups of wax: either soy wax flakes or beeswax pellets
• 2 wicks: Wicks with a metal base are the easiest to work with. I have no experience with wooden wicks.
• (OPTIONAL) 1 teaspoon dried herbs, 60 drops essential oils, or fragrance oils: For naturally-scented candles. Fragrance oils have a stronger, longer-lasting scent, but most fragrance oils are not natural. Essential oils have a very subtle scent. And dried herbs, like dried lavender or dried rosemary, may be used for decoration.

How to Make Homemade Candles: Step-by-Step Guide

Once you have your ingredients and tools, you’ll need about 20 minutes to make the candles.

You’ll find a printable version of the ingredients and instructions at the end of this article. Here’s my step-by-step guide with photos to guide you…

• Step 1:  Add water to the saucepan/pot, about 1/2 way full. Place your heat-safe bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer either in the water or sitting on top of the water-filled pot (either way is safe). This is called the double boiler method, which keeps the wax out of direct contact with the heat source and avoids burning the wax. 
• Step 2: Add the soy flakes or beeswax pellets to the bowl. Then turn the heat to medium-high, bringing the water in the pot/saucepan to a lively simmer.
• Step 3: Allow the wax to completely melt. This takes about 15 minutes (more or less). Soy wax melts much faster, beeswax pellets take a bit longer. 
• Step 4: Once melted, place the candle jars on a towel (to protect your countertop) and dip the metal part of each candle wick in the hot wax.
• Step 5: Place the metal base of the wick at the bottom of each jar. Use a clothespin or mechanical pencil (the clip portion works well) to secure the wick, placing the pin or pencil on top of the jar to keep the wick upright. 
• Step 6: Pour the melted wax into the jars.
• Step 7: For a scented candle, add drops of natural essential oils, candle fragrance oil (according to the package), or any dried herbs (like dried lavender or dried rosemary). The wax will instantly begin to harden as it comes in contact with the jar. Let the wax cool and solidify. This takes about 20 minutes, or longer.

Give this candle recipe a try and tell me what you think and how you decide to customize your candles!

Print

Homemade Candles Recipe

Here's the easiest way to make your own homemade candles, step by step.  All you need is a jars, wax (soy or beeswax), wicks (which you can easily find in any craft store or online), a pot, (optional) pure essential oils for scent, and a stove-top (or make homemade candles in slow-cooker). 

Course DIY

Cuisine American

Keyword DIY candles, Homemade Candles, how to make candles

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 2 candles

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $4-5 each candle

Equipment

• 1 small cooking pot/saucepan
• 1 wax melting cup such as: a medium-size glass bowl or metal bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer
• 2 8-ounce jars such as: glass mason jars, jam jars, tin cans, tea cups, etc. Or use 4 4-ounce jars for smaller candles.
• 2 clothespins or mechanical pencils
• 2 small washcloths OPTIONAL, but helpful for insulating the jars to keep the wax from cracking while it cools
• 1 skewer or chopstick OPTIONAL, if adding fragrance to stir and combine the fragrance and wax

Ingredients

• 4 cups soy wax flakes or beeswax pellets
• 2 candle wicks with a metal base
• 60 drops essential oil of choice OPTIONAL, or fragrance oil (use the amount directed on package)
• 1/2-1 teaspoon dried herbs OPTIONAL, like dried lavender, rosemary, or crushed roses

Instructions

• Add water to the saucepan/pot, about 1/2 way full. Place your heat-safe bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer either in the water or sitting on top of the water-filled pot (either way is safe). This is called the double boiler method, which keeps the wax out of direct contact with the heat source and avoids burning the wax. 
• Add the soy flakes or beeswax pellets to the bowl. Then turn the heat to medium-high, bringing the water in the saucepan to a lively simmer.
  
• Allow the wax to completely melt. This takes about 15 minutes (more or less). Soy wax melts much faster, beeswax pellets take a bit longer to melt. 
• Once the wax has melted, turn off the heat and dip the metal ends of the wicks in the hot wax. Place the wick ends in the center of each candle jar, pressing the metal ends down with a skewer or chop-stick until set at the base of the jar. The wax acts like glue, securing the metal end at the bottom of the candle jar.
• Gently straighten the wick and secure it at the mouth of the jar with a clothespin or the clip on a mechanical pencil (resting the pencil or clothespin on the top of the jar).
  
• Gently pour the wax into each jar. Place a towel (or parchment paper) underneath the jars to protect your countertop.
  
• To make scented candles, add the essential oil or candle fragrance oil to the wax. If desired, add a teaspoon of dried herbs. For fragrance oil, follow the instructions on the bottle for amount recommended. Using the skewer or chopstick, gently stir the candle to combine the fragrance and wax.
• Wrap the jars in the washcloths to prevent the wax from cooling too fast and shrinking or cracking. This step isn't mandatory, but helps if you're concerned about cracks which are purely cosmetic and can be fixed if they occur by adding more melted wax overtop to fill the crack.
• The candles will take about 30 minutes to fully set. But I recommend letting the candles rest for 24 hours. This rest time allows the candles time to cure before burning, giving you the best results!
• Once set, remove the clothespins and washcloths, and trim the top of the wicks to 1 inch. The candles are now ready to use and enjoy!
  

Notes

Wax Amount: 4 cups of soy wax flakes will make 2- 8 ounce candles. This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. Simply add the 4 cups of soy flakes to your double-boiler. As the 4 cups begins to liquify, add more soy flakes as desired. 

Melting Pot: Purchase a medium-size glass mixing bowl, metal mixing bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer. You’ll never be able to use this pot for anything other than candle making, as the wax will adhere to the pot and be difficult to scrape off and remove. 

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Looking for the best ways to clean your home with baking soda (aka bicarbonate of soda)? If so, this blog is for you!

Below, I share my favorite baking soda cleaning hacks. All 19! From cleaning toilets and the oven to deodorizing the fridge and removing crayon marks, I’ll show you how to use this simple ingredient to clean every room in your home.

Key Takeaways

• All Natural – Baking soda is a natural and safe product used for baking (a leavening agent, which causes baked goods to rise) and cleaning!
• Incredible Cleaning Power – Baking soda easily dissolves dirt and grease, lifts tough stains (even crayon and permanent marker), and freshens smelly fabrics.
• Avoid Toxic Chemicals – With baking soda you’ll avoid harsh chemicals without compromising your standard of clean! 
• Make DIY Cleaners & Body Products – Baking soda can be added to some homemade cleaners to boost cleaning and deodorizing properties, or used on its own. It can also be used as a skincare product to make a face/body scrub or deodorant. 

How to Use Baking Soda For Cleaning Video Guide

5 Reader-Favorite Baking Soda Uses

• Make deodorant
• Make a facial exfoliant
• Clean your toilet bowl
• Clean sinks and tubs
• Clean the bathroom with an all-purpose spray

How to Clean Your Home With Baking Soda (19 Ways!)

1. Clean the Kitchen Sink and Remove Food/Grease Build-Up

• Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the sink.
• Use a scrub brush or sponge to gently scrub the surface with the baking soda in a circular motion. Watch the grease and dirt/food build-up magically disappear.
• Rinse the surface with clean water.
• If you’d like to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda, and then follow the steps above.

I’ve done this with ceramic (white) and stainless steel sinks. For an extra dirty sink, add a squirt of dish soap and scrub the soap and baking soda over the surface.

Learn how to clean the sink with baking soda and other natural ingredients. 

2. Clean the Bathroom Tub and Sink

• Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of a bathtub and sink.
• Use a scrub brush, sponge, or damp cloth to gently scrub the surface with the baking soda in a circular motion. As you scrub, build-up will lift away, leaving behind a sparkly tub and sink.
• If you’d like to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda.

Or, make a baking soda paste in a small bowl by combining baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and castile soap.  

3. Deodorize and Freshen Carpets and Rugs

Between pets and kids, our carpets and rugs are subjected to all sorts of fun activities. Here’s how to keep I carpets and rugs fresh and odor-free…

• Sprinkle rugs and carpets with baking soda (optional: whisk with a few drops of a favorite essential oil, like lavender essential oil). 
• Wait at least 30 minutes. 
• Vacuum the area. 

4. Deodorize and Freshen Bed Mattresses

• Lightly sprinkle baking soda onto an exposed mattress (no sheets). 
• Wait 30 minutes. 
• Use a hose attachment to vacuum the surface.

7. Deodorize and Freshen Toilets

• Generously sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl. 
• Wait 10 minutes. 
• Use a toilet brush to scrub away stains and odors.
• If you’d like to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda, and then follow the steps above.

Alternatively, make a homemade toilet bowl cleaner with castile soap, water, and baking soda. 

8. Deodorize and Freshen Garbage Cans

• Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of a trash bin to keep odors away. 
• Discard and refresh the baking soda every few weeks. 
• If you don’t want to sprinkle baking soda in your trash can, sprinkle the powder in a short cardboard box first, then place the box at the bottom of your trash can.

9. Deodorize and Freshen Sneakers

• Sprinkle baking soda in stinky sneakers.
• Let the baking soda rest all night in the shoes.
• In the morning, shake out the shoes to remove the baking soda.
• The odor-neutralizing powder will naturally get rid of the stinky odor in smelly shoes.

10. Clean and Remove Crayon Marks from Walls

Thankfully, we’re past the scribbling-on-the-wall stage of parenting. In the past, when crayon marks were accidentally added to the wall decor, I used baking soda to remove the unwanted drawings. Here’s how to do that…

• Sprinkle a clean wet cloth (or wet sponge) with baking soda. 
• Gently wipe the wall with the cloth until the crayon marks disappears. 
• Repeat as needed until the crayon disappears from the surface. 

14. Make Your Own Laundry Soap 

Make your own laundry soap powder by combining: 

• 1 5-ounce castile soap bar (shredded)
• 1 cup washing soda
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup kosher salt
• 30-40 drops essential oil (optional)

Here’s how to make this easy laundry soap recipe. 

15. Bathroom All Purpose Cleaner

Make an all-purpose bathroom cleaner for toilets, sinks and tubs, tile and grout, and all other bathroom surfaces (except glass surfaces-you’ll want to make this glass cleaner instead). Combine…

• 2 cups warm distilled water
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoon liquid castile soap
• 30 drops tea tree essential oil
• 20 drops sweet orange essential oil

Here’s how to make bathroom all-purpose cleaner.

16. Clean Produce

To clean fresh produce, make a vinegar bath or use baking soda. To use baking soda…

• In a large bowl or sink, combine 1 teaspoon baking soda with 2 cups of water (increase amounts depending on how much produce you have). 
• Add fruit to the solution and soak for 10 minutes. 
• Remove the produce and rinse under clean water.

17. Remove Stubborn Stickers and Sticker Residue From Surfaces

• Combine olive oil and baking soda in a small bowl to make a paste.
• Apply the paste to a surface with a stubborn sticker or sticker residue.
• Let the paste rest on the surface, then give the area a good scrub.
• Repeat until the sticker residue disappears. 

Recipe from Natural Cleaning Made Easy. 

18. Remove Armpit Stains and Body Odor

This solution is best used on white clothing to remove yellowing arm pit stains and body odor. For colors, do not use hydrogen peroxide due to the bleaching reaction. In a small bowl, combine…

• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide 
• 1 tablespoon Sal Suds (Liquid castile soap or dish soap will also work) 
• 1 tablespoon kosher or sea salt 
• 15 drops lemon essential oil

Using a spoon, apply the paste to armpit stains on white clothes. Scrub the solution into the stain with a scrub brush or old toothbrush. Let the solution rest for a couple of hours (or more for stubborn armpit stains). Wash the paste away and wash the clothing with soap.

Recipe from Natural Cleaning Made Easy. 

19. Clean Grout Lines

• Make a paste by combining water and baking soda in a bowl.
• Use an old toothbrush or scrub brush to scrub the paste on the grout.
• Let the paste rest for a few minutes, then use a wet sponge or cloth to wash away the paste.
• Repeat as needed. 

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Are you looking for a simple, effective, natural all-purpose cleaner to clean your home? If so, this recipe is for you! All you need is 2 ingredients and 2 minutes.

I’ll show you how to make the best all purpose cleaner recipes using vinegar or castile soap! Made with simple ingredients that are cheap and easy to find. With fantastic cleaning power, these natural cleaners will clean your whole house, from living room surfaces to the bathroom sink and tub to door handles.

Key Takeaways

• Two Ways – Below, you’ll find two recipes for all-purpose surface spray!
• Essential Oils – If you prefer a scented spray, add your favorite essential oil to the spray, like lemon or peppermint essential oil.
• Multi-Purpose Cleaning – Use this spray to clean almost any surface in your home. I’ll give you all the details below.
• Storage – Store this recipe for up to 1 month.

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

• To make these recipes, you’ll need either liquid castile soap OR white vinegar and distilled water. You’ll find all of these ingredients in the grocery store.
• You’ll also need a 16-ounce spray bottle. Glass or plastic both work.

How to Make DIY All Purpose Cleaner: Step-By Step Guide

These recipes are wonderful natural cleaning solutions and are far cheaper than any store-bought cleaners. Here are the two best ways to make an all purpose cleaner without harmful chemicals…

Recipe 1: Vinegar All-Purpose Spray

• 1 16-ounce glass spray bottle
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar or homemade orange peel vinegar (vinegar infused with orange or lemon peels)
• 1 cup distilled water (water with impurities removed; found at any grocery store)
• Optional: 1 teaspoon Sal Suds (a detergent-based soap that may be mixed with vinegar and is tough on dirt, grease, and soap scum)
• Optional: 15-30 drops of your favorite essential oil

Instructions

• Add the vinegar, water, and Sal Suds or essential oil (if using) to the spray bottle.
• Place the spray nozzle on the bottle and gently shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. You’ll want to do this each time you use the cleaner.
• Spray the surface directly, then use a cloth to wipe and clean the surface.

Want to add an essential oil? The best options

Essential oils are NOT required ingredients to make effective homemade cleaners, but they can add a lovely scent and beneficial properties.

You’re welcome to add an essential to either all purpose cleaner recipe. Here are a few of my favorites.  

• Tea Tree Oil: Known for its antibacterial properties, tea tree essential oil is commonly used to make natural cleaning products. 
• Peppermint: Adds a fresh, vibrant, minty scent. 
• Lavender: Adds a calming scent. 
• Orange or Lemon: A fresh, citrusy scent. 
• Germ Fighter Blend: This is a blend of individual essential oils. Each brand has its own name for this blend, some call it Thieves Oil, while others call it Germ Fighter. Usually a blend of lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, clove, and rosemary essential oils. 

What is an essential oil?

Essential oils are concentrated oils derived from plants. For those wanting a more scientific definition, here’s how Retha, a certified aromatherapist from Plant Therapy, defines an essential oil,  “An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation, often by using steam.

Learn more about essential oils…

What to Avoid Doing

• Vinegar on Stone – Don’t use a vinegar-based cleaner on granite or marble. The acid can wear away at the stone. Instead, use the castile soap cleaner.
• Mix Vinegar & Castile Soap – I know, it’s a popular combo on Pinterest. But the two ingredients should never be combined in one bottle to make a cleaner. The result will be an oily mess. Read more about why this happens.
• Add More Castile Soap Than Recommended – More is not always better. When making the castile soap surface spray, stick with 2 tablespoons of soap. Castile soap is highly concentrated so a tiny amount goes a long way. Adding more will only result in a white residue left on surfaces.
• Essential Oils – Always be cautious when adding essential oils to DIY cleaners, particularly when young children or pets are in the home. Some essentials oils may be toxic or harmful to pets and young kids. There are many lists online that breakdown safe and unsafe oils to use in these situations. 

How to Use Homemade All Purpose Spray

Use either of these natural cleaning recipes just like any commercial cleaner.

• First, spray the surface directly with cleaner of choice. 
• Next, use a cloth or paper towel to wipe the surface clean (or a toilet brush for the toilet).
• If you’re using the castile soap cleaner, go back over the surface with a damp cloth, rinse and repeat.

What surfaces can I clean?

Before using a cleaner on household surfaces, always spot test first before liberally spraying any hard surface. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use an all purpose cleaner.

• kitchen surfaces: sink, cooktop, oven, counter tops, (do not use vinegar-based cleaners on marble or granite), inside the fridge, tile and grout 
• bathroom surfaces: sink, tubs, counter tops (do not use vinegar-based cleaners on marble or granite), tile and grout 
• kitchen table and chairs 
• toilets
• dusting surfaces (I recommend using a microfiber cloth)
• dirty toys
• door knobs
• lightswitches
• stainless steel surfaces
• interior car surfaces
• glass and mirrors (only the vinegar cleaner; the castile soap cleaner will leave streaks OR make your own glass cleaner with rubbing alcohol and vinegar)

FAQs

• Can I leave out the essential oil from the Castile soap recipe? Yes, you can skip the essential oil in either recipe. You’ll still make a fantastic cleaner without it!
•  Can I use filtered water instead of distilled water? When making homemade products, filtered water may be used for temporary solutions, but for longer-term storage, use distilled water (found in any grocery store) or boiled water (boil for 15 minutes, then cool) to limit the possibility of bacterial growth.
•  Are plastic spray bottles okay to use as well as glass? Yes, you can use either plastic or glass spray bottles.
•  Have you ever used the all-purpose surface cleaner with castile soap on wooden surfaces such as the kitchen table? Yes! I use this cleaner on many of the wood surfaces in our home without issue. Always spot-test a small area before applying any cleaner on a surface.
•  Could I use alcohol or Vodka instead of distilled water? That way, it would last longer & have more germ-killing power. Yes, you could make this substitute.
•  How do I prevent the castile soap cleaner from leaving a white residue on surfaces? This issue can occur when castile soap is mixed with hard water. Using distilled water to make the recipe should help. But if this problem is still happening, wipe the surface with a wet cloth, rinse, and repeat until the white residue is gone.

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DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaner: Two Ways

The two best ways to make an all purpose surface cleaner. Use the spray of your choice to clean your whole house, from the kitchen and bathroom to living room. There's no job these homemade recipes can't tackle!

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword DIY all purpose cleaner, diy surface cleaner, homemade all purpose cleaner, Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaner, homemade cleaning solution

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 16-ounce bottle (per recipe)

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $2

Equipment

• 1 16-ounce glass spray bottle

Ingredients

Castile Soap All Purpose Surface Cleaner

• 2 cups distilled water
• 2 TB liquid castile soap (scented or unscented) OR 1 teaspoon Sal Suds
• 15-30 drops essential oil of choice (optional) lavender, peppermint, orange, or lemon, etc.

Vinegar All Purpose Surface Cleaner

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 cup white distilled vinegar
• 15-30 drops essential oil of choice (optional) lavender, peppermint, orange, or lemon, etc.
• 1 teaspoon Sal Suds (optional) for cleaning grease, picking up dirt on surface

Instructions

Castile Soap All Purpose Surface Cleaner

• Pour the water into a 16-ounce spray bottle (use a funnel, if needed). Add the castile soap and essential oil. Gently shake the solution to combine. Store at room temperature for up to 4 weeks.

Vinegar All Purpose Surface Cleaner

• Pour all the ingredients (vinegar, water, and if using Sal Suds or essential oil) into a 16-ounce spray bottle (use a funnel, if needed). Shake the solution to combine. Store at room temperature for up to 4 weeks.
• How to Use
• Gently shake the spray bottle before spraying the cleaner on the desired surface. Spray the cleaner and wipe off the surface with a damp cloth (this is important when using the castile soap cleaner since it can leave a soapy residue if left to dry)! Do NOT use the vinegar cleaner on marble or granite.

Video

Notes

Castile Soap Residue: Castile soap can leave a white residue on surfaces if not wiped down with a damp cloth. Also, hard water can cause a residue on surfaces when the soap interacts with the water. If this happens, just wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth. Rinse and repeat.

Lemon Juice Note: In the video, I add lemon juice (1/2 lemon, juiced) to the vinegar cleaner. If you plan to store the cleaner for a few weeks, I don’t recommend this addition. If you’d like to add lemon juice, you’re welcome to do so. Do not add lemon juice to the castile soap recipe as the acid will not mix with the soap.

 

If you love making homemade products, you’ll also love these recipes: glass and mirror cleaner, tub and sink scrub, floor cleaner with vinegar, stain remover, and homemade laundry detergent. 

 

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Ingredients Needed

First thing, you need to make a cleaning concentrate with the citrus peels and vinegar (AKA: a citrus-infused vinegar). You’ll then use this concentrate to make your natural cleaning solutions (like all purpose spray, window cleaner, etc.) Here’s what you need to make the concentrate…

• 3-4 cups distilled white vinegar (should contain somewhere between 4-6% acetic acid, like this)
• a handful or orange peels, lemon peels, lime peels, or grapefruit peels
• (optional) 1 cinnamon stick or a few cloves
• (optional) a few sprigs of a fresh herb: sage, thyme, or peppermint (one or a combination)

Equipment Needed

• 1 quart-size glass jar (like a wide mouth mason jar) for infusing the vinegar and citrus rinds
• glass or plastic lid to seal the jar during the infusion process
• fine mesh sieve or strainer to separate the rinds from the infused vinegar
• large bowl for straining the vinegar from the rinds

Pro Tip: If you’d like to make a big batch of this concentrate, use a large jar and enough citrus peels to fill the jar. You’ll also need enough vinegar to cover the peels with the vinegar.

Q: Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar?

A: I don’t recommend using apple cider vinegar to make this orange peel vinegar cleaner. White vinegar is considered to be the most acidic vinegar and the strongest option for making a household cleaner. Save the apple cider vinegar for homemade salad dressing.

How to Make: Step By Step Instructions & Video

Step 1: Add Citrus Peels to a Jar

You can use just one kind of citrus peel, like orange peels, or a variety of different citrus peels mixed together in the jar.

Pro Tip: I collect citrus peels in a bag and keep the rinds in the fridge. After about a week, during citrus season, I can make a big batch of this cleaner with all the leftover rinds.

Step 2: Add Fresh Herbs or Spices (Optional)

This is optional. I love to add a sprig or two of fresh sage, mint, or thyme to the jar. Add both the stem and leaf.

You can also add a cinnamon stick or a few whole cloves as well. All of these ingredients add a lovely scent to the concentrate.

Step 3: Top with Vinegar

Pour vinegar over the peels and herbs/spices so they are completely submerged by the vinegar. Fill the jar to the top. Then secure the lid.

Step 4: Infuse for 2 Weeks

Place the jar under your sink, or on the counter, and allow the mixture to infuse for 2 weeks. Sunlight will speed up the process.

During this time the orange oils (in the rinds), herbs, and spices will infuse with the vinegar. The vinegar will turn a visible orange or yellow (depending on the citrus used).

Step 5: Strain the Peels from the Vinegar

After 2 weeks, the orange concentrate is ready to use. Yay!! Your patience has paid off and you now have a natural and incredibly powerful cleaning solution.

Using a fine mesh strainer and a large bowl, pour the contents of the jar into the strainer, allowing the beautiful cleaning vinegar to fill the bowl underneath and the strainer to catch the rinds. Discard the peels (and herbs or spices).

Return the infused vinegar to the storage jar (or use a clean jar) and secure the lid. Use this concentrate to make your own cleaners (see recipes below).

4 Ways to Use Orange Peel Vinegar for Cleaning

Your orange peel vinegar concentrate is ready, now what? Use this concentrate to make your own household cleaners.

1. All-Purpose Spray

Use the concentrate at full strength or add 1 cup water and 1 cup concentrate to a 16-ounce glass spray bottle (my favorite bottles). Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. Use throughout the home: bathroom, kitchen, counter-tops, sink, cutting boards, the tub, shower, garbage can, or inside the fridge. Always wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth after spraying.

Caution: Never use vinegar (which is acidic) on granite or marble kitchen counters or bathroom counters.

2. Clean Windows

Use the concentrate to make this homemade window and glass cleaner instead of using white vinegar. Don’t use vinegar on your smartphone screen or computer monitors since acid can strip the special coating.

3. Garbage Disposal Pods

Finely chop 2-3 lemon or orange peels and add them to an ice cube tray. Pour the concentrate over the top of the peels and freeze the ice cube tray. Once the pods are frozen, remove from the ice cube tray and store the pods in a freezer-safe bag. To deodorize, de-grease, and clean the garbage disposal, run cold water in the sink, place 1-2 pods in the garbage disposal and run the disposal.

4. Kitchen Degreaser Spray

For a simple kitchen degreaser, add a few drops of natural dish soap or Sal Suds (not castile soap, remember the reaction issue?) to either the full strength concentrate or 1 cup water and 1 cup concentrate in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Spray on the surface and wipe clean.

Print

Easy Orange Peel Cleaner (With Vinegar) + Uses

Don't toss your orange or citrus rinds; instead, use them to make a natural cleaning concentrate. Save money, reduce waste, and make an easy DIY orange peel cleaner with vinegar. And 4 incredible ways to use this powerful cleaner in your home.

Course DIY

Keyword citrus vinegar, DIY orange peel cleaner, homemade orange cleaner, orange cleaner, orange peel and vinegar, orange peel cleaner, orange peel vinegar cleaner, orange peels for cleaning

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Infusion (Rest Time): 14 days days

Total Time 14 days days 15 minutes minutes

Servings 1 quart

Author Kristin Marr

Equipment

• 1 quart-size jar such as a wide mouth mason jar
• 1 lid glass or palstic (not metal due to corrosion) or use a cloth or parchment paper secured with a rubber band
• 1 fine mesh sieve to separate the rinds from the infused vinegar
• 1 large bowl to separate the infused vinegar from the rinds

Ingredients

• 2-12 citrus peels such as: orange peels, lime peels, lemon peels, and/or grapefruit peels (one type or a variety, amount needed depends on size)
• 3-4 cups distilled white vinegar (between 4-6% acidity)

Optional:

• 1-3 sprigs fresh herbs such as: sage, peppermint, or thyme
• 1-3 cinnamon sticks
• 5-10 whole cloves

Instructions

Make Orange Peel Cleaner Concentrate:

• Add the citrus peels, herbs, and spices (if using herbs and spices) to the mason jar. There should be enough peels to fill the jar.
• Pour the vinegar over the peels and herbs/spices (use just enough vinegar to submerge the ingredients, the amount used will depend on how packed the jar is with peels).
• Now the vinegar needs to rest (infuse) for 2 weeks. I keep my jar under the sink during this time. During this time the orange oils and herbs and spices will infuse with the vinegar. The vinegar will turn a visible orange or yellow (depending on the citrus used).
• After 2 weeks, the orange vinegar cleaning concentrate is ready to use. Yay!! Your patience has paid off.
• Using a fine mesh strainer and a large bowl, pour the contents of the jar into the strainer, allowing the beautiful cleaning vinegar to fill the bowl underneath and the strainer to catch the rinds. Discard the peels (and herbs or spices).
• Return the infused vinegar to the storage jar (or use a clean jar) and secure the lid. Store the cleaning vinegar concentrate at room temperature for a couple of months, or in the fridge for up to 6 months.
• Now you can use this concentrate to make a cleaning solution. Here are a few options…

4 Ways to Use Orange Peel Cleaner Concentrate:

• Option 1: All-Purpose Spray Use the concentrate at full strength or add 1 cup water and 1 cup concentrate to a 16-ounce glass spray bottle (my favorite bottles). Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. Use throughout the home: bathroom, kitchen, counter-tops, sink, cutting boards, the tub, shower, garbage can, or inside the fridge. Always wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth after spraying.

  Caution: Never use vinegar (which is acidic) on granite or marble kitchen counters or bathroom counters.
• Option 2: Garbage Disposal Pods Finely chop 2-3 lemon or orange peels and add them to an ice cube tray. Pour the concentrate over the top of the peels and freeze the ice cube tray. Once the pods are frozen, remove from the ice cube tray and store the pods in a freezer-safe bag. To deodorize, de-grease, and clean the garbage disposal, run cold water in the sink, place 1-2 pods in the garbage disposal and run the disposal.
• Option 3: Clean Windows Use the concentrate to make this homemade window and glass cleaner instead of using white vinegar. Don’t use vinegar on your smartphone screen or computer monitors since acid can strip the special coating.
• Option 4: Kitchen Degreaser Spray For a simple kitchen degreaser, add a few drops of natural dish soap or Sal Suds (not castile soap, remember the reaction issue?) to either the full strength concentrate or 1 cup water and 1 cup concentrate in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Spray on the surface and wipe clean.

Video

Notes

Big Batch: If you’d like to make a big batch of this concentrate cleaner, use a large jar and enough citrus peels to fill that jar. You’ll also need enough vinegar to cover the peels with the vinegar.

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19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post Easy DIY Orange Peel Cleaner (With Vinegar) appeared first on Live Simply.

15 Best Cleaning Recipes For Your House

Stock your cleaning caddy with a 32-ounce bottle of liquid castile soap to make these 15 DIY household cleaning products. Unscented soap is the best option, as you can make a variety of products and use essential oils to add your own scent (optional).

Nearly all the recipes listed here use liquid soap with the exception of the laundry soap powder which uses soap in bar form.

1. DIY All-Purpose Cleaning Spray

This all-purpose spray makes cleaning up a breeze! I just don’t use this as a window cleaner as it can sometimes streak, but it’s great on counters, appliances, tables, and more.

If you have hard water you might see white deposits left over on the surface. There are two ways to avoid this: use distilled water instead of tap water to make this cleaner or wipe up the spray with a damp cloth after cleaning.

DIY All Purpose Cleaner Recipe

Add 2 tablespoons of castile soap to 2 cups of distilled water in a spray bottle and go! You can also add essential oils to your cleaner. I like peppermint or orange essential oil, or use about 15 drops of your favorite essential oil.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

2. Reusable Cleaning Wipes

I love the reusable cleaning wipes recipe from Lisa Bronner’s blog. Mix together 1 1/2 cups distilled water and 1 tablespoon of castile soap and 20 drops tea tree oil. Add a cut up shirt (for DIY rags) or small cleaning towels to a jar, add the castile soap solution, and add a lid. Pull a wipe at a time from the jar and wipe counters, floors, and other surfaces.

3. Toilet Bowl Cleaner 

No one really likes scrubbing toilets, but it has to be done. To really get at tough stains, make your own toilet bowl cleaner with baking soda and castile soap. Baking soda deodorizes and removes tough stains while the castile soap removes dirt and bacteria from the surface of the toilet bowl.

DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe

Equal parts baking soda and castile soap are diluted in a cup of water and a bit of essential oils. Use this toilet bowl cleaner to lift stains, deodorize, and remove bacteria and dirt.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

4. Hand Soap

I love making my own liquid hand soap. It’s super easy to make: equal parts water (distilled is best) and castile soap. Add to a soap dispenser bottle and it’s ready to use: add soap to wet hands and create suds as you rub your hands together. Use a foaming soap bottle for the best lather.

Castile soap is highly concentrated and intended to be diluted, making it the best natural hand soap that’s budget-friendly, too.

DIY Foaming Hand Soap Recipe

Make your own foaming hand soap with just two ingredients: equal parts concentrated castile soap and water.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

5. Tub and Sink Cleaner (Scouring Scrub)

This is my favorite way to use castile soap for cleaning!

This scrubbing cleaner is great in the bathroom and also in the kitchen sink. Think of this as a homemade soft scrub natural alternative. You can even use this cleaner on dirty kitchen or bathroom grout: dip an old toothbrush in the mixture, then scrub and watch the brightening and cleaning magic!

Homemade Scouring Scrub Recipe

1 cup of baking soda is mixed with ¼ cup of castile soap to make a thick paste that brightens, deodorizes, and lifts dirt, grease, and bacteria from surfaces. Simply take out a little scoop and scrub it into your sink, tub, or tile grout, then rinse with water.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

6. Floor Cleaner

If you aren’t a fan of vinegar for cleaning hard floors, castile soap to the rescue! This floor cleaner takes seconds to make: just hot water and castile soap. The soap helps lift dirt and bacteria from hard floor surfaces. Dip your mop in the solution and watch your floors sparkle without toxins.

Floor Cleaner Recipe

You only need 2 tablespoons of castile soap in a 2 gallon bucket of warm water. I like to add pine essential oil for nostalgia purposes, or use a few drops of essential oil of choice.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

7. Dusting Spray

One of the best ways to avoid toxic chemicals and synthetic ingredients is to make your own dusting spray. I like to spray this on a dusting cloth and not directly on surfaces to ensure I’m not using too much. A little goes a long way.

Dusting Spray Recipe

Just a touch of castile soap (2 teaspoons), 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1 cup of water is all you need to make this DIY recipe. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil, if desired.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

8. Stain Remover

My kids aren’t the only ones who get food and grass stains on their clothes…oops! I’ve tried so called “natural stain removers” from the store and none of them have truly wowed me. So I created a stain remover spray that truly removes stains and costs just pennies to make.

Homemade Stain Remover Recipe

Castile soap does the hard work of loosening stains and then hydrogen peroxide comes in and brightens fabric back up. A great way to pre-treat stains before washing. Simply spray on a stain, scrub, let rest, then wash.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

9. Bathroom Cleaner

You can certainly use the all-purpose spray mentioned above, but I like to add a little bit more to my bathroom spray for an extra boost of cleaning power. To do this, combine baking soda, water, and castile soap for a deodorizing, germ-fighting blend.

All-In-One Bathroom Cleaner Recipe

Add 2 tablespoons of castile soap to 2 cups of distilled water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. I also increase the essential oils here as tea tree oil can have antibacterial properties that are perfect in this room.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

10. Clean Cutting Boards

Cutting boards are the workhorses of the kitchen. I use a quick squirt of castile soap to help scrub away any visible stains and lift bacteria on my cutting boards. And castile soap is really safe to use on eating and food preparation surfaces.

11. Dishes

There are a lot of blogs and articles out there that mention using castile soap as a dish soap. It’s perfectly fine if you want to use it, and it will work to get dishes clean. To do this, fill the sink with water and add a few squirts of castile soap.

However, in my own experience, I just don’t find that it cuts grease well. I prefer to reach for Sal’s Suds (castile soap’s big brother) when I make my own dish soap. It’s safe and non-toxic, but the chemical makeup means it is a detergent rather than a soap, which is why it works to cut grease on dishes.

12. Liquid Laundry Soap Detergent

Combine borax, washing soda, and liquid castile soap with water to make a money-saving laundry detergent replacement. Add to a load of dirty laundry and watch the soap lift dirt, stains, and stinky odors.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap Detergent Recipe

Brightens, lifts dirt and fresh stains, and deodorizes. Combine castile soap, washing soda, borax, and water to make this liquid laundry soap. Use between 2 tablespoons and 1/4 cup of soap per load of laundry.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

13. Laundry Soap Powder

If you prefer a powder laundry soap, shred two bars of castile soap (using a cheese grater or food processor) and combine with washing soda to make an effective laundry detergent that’s best used in warm water. If you don’t want to use borax, make a borax-free laundry soap powder with castile soap and salt.

Homemade Powder Laundry Soap Recipe

Made in just five minutes! Shred two bars of castile soap in a food processor or with a cheese grater, then add borax and washing soda.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

14. Produce Wash

Use castile soap to clean vegetables!  Add 1 tablespoon castile soap to 1 gallon of cold water. Add the veggies and fruit, then swish them around in the mixture. Allow to rest for a few minutes in the soapy mixture, then rinse with fresh water and dry.

15. Makeup Brush Cleaner

Breaking out lately? It could be due to dirty makeup brushes that spread dirt and oils on the face. Give your makeup brushes a natural clean with a homemade makeup brush cleaner.

DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner Tutorial

Add a couple drops of soap to a bowl, along with water and witch hazel. Place makeup brushes in the solution and soak for a few minutes. Rinse with water and dry.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

When cleaning with castile soap it’s important to avoid mistakes that are commonly promoted online and on Pinterest.

1. Never Mix Castile Soap and Acidic Ingredients: Things like vinegar and lemon juice (acidic ingredients) don’t mix with castile soap (a base ingredient). I shared the science behind this in 4 Cleaning Ingredients to Avoid Combining. This is such a popular combination online that leaves behind an oily mess!

2. Castile Soap and Hard Water Warning: If you use a mixture of castile soap and hard water, it will leave behind a white residue on surfaces. This residue can easily be rinsed off with water or a vinegar spray. The easiest way to avoid this is to use distilled water (found in the water section of the store) in castile soap cleaning recipes.

Need more ideas? Learn how to use this soap beyond cleaning with 24 Brilliant Castile Soap Uses for Home and Body. A few of my favorite uses: makeup remover wipes, plant spray, shaving cream, and honey face wash.

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The post Cleaning With Castile Soap (15 How to Use Recipes & Tips) appeared first on Live Simply.

Growing up, my mom cleaned the mirrors and windows in our home with a famous blue liquid. This liquid, and the scent that came with it, represented “clean” in our home. I’m so glad glass cleaner was one of the first cleaning products to be questioned when we began to make the switch to using more natural products in our home.

Why Make Homemade Glass and Window Cleaner?

Let’s take a look at the ingredients listed on the Windex website (just one of many window and glass cleaner brands on the market): Water, 2-Hexoxyethanol, Isopropanolamine, Sodium Dodecylbenzene, Sulfonate Cleaning, Lauramine Oxide, Ammonium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Liquitint® Sky Blue Dye.

Common household ingredients, right?! Nothing like an ingredient list that makes you wish you paid more attention during high school chemistry class.

If you’d like to know more about the risks and dangers that may be associated with any ingredient you don’t recognize on an ingredient list (because they probably weren’t covered in high school chemistry class), check out the Environmental Working Group’s Database. The EWG grades nearly all ingredients found in common cleaning products in the United States.

Just reading the word fragrance on the ingredient list, above, raises a big red flag. Lots of undisclosed ingredients can be hiding under this vague ingredient name, including phthalates (which are believed to disrupt hormones and be carcinogenic).

Learning how to make your own cleaning products is one of the best ways to avoid toxic chemicals and have confidence in what you’re using to clean your home. There’s no need to memorize a long list of ingredients to avoid or spend hours researching safe cleaning products. And the best part is…with just a handful of natural and non-toxic ingredients you clean your entire home and make your own speciality cleaning products.

Why learn how to make your own cleaning products?  This DIY glass cleaner is a great place to start!

• Save Money. You probably already have most of the ingredients needed to make this homemade glass and mirror cleaner, and many other DIY cleaners, already in your home! And the best part, you can use the same ingredients to make other homemade cleaners, like an all-purpose cleaner.
• Reduce Exposure to harsh chemicals that are of known concern (like fragrance ingredients and ammonia), yet continue to be used in popular cleaners.
• Be Self-Sufficient. Learning how to cook and make your own natural cleaners is a great way to do this! That’s what Live Simply is all about.

Now I get it, the rational answer is not to “throw the baby out with the bathwater.” I understand that we don’t live in a bubble. I still use some plastic products in our home (just to name one example) and probably come in contact with phthalates, and other ingredients, just by continuing with daily routines outside our home. But when an alternative solution exists for something that’s sprayed in our home environment regularly, like glass cleaner, and that solution only takes 60 seconds to pour into a bottle and spray on my windows and mirrors, why not give it a shot?

Today, my goal is not  to scare you, but rather to show you just how easy it is to make homemade glass cleaner at home.

How to Make Glass Cleaner

Ingredients to make homemade DIY glass cleaner…

• 1/2 cup Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol): This ingredient is very low on the toxicity scale (see how it rates). Rubbing alcohol dries quickly and helps create that streak-free cleaning experience we all want from a glass, mirror, and window cleaner. If you prefer, I think vodka would also work as a substitute.
• 1/3 cup White Vinegar: The superstar of natural cleaning ingredients! This antibacterial ingredient is acidic and removes film, grime, and dirt on glass surfaces, naturally and without toxic chemicals.
• Water: From a safety and bacterial perspective, it’s best to use distilled water when making homemade DIY cleaners. For streak-free surfaces, like glass surfaces, using distilled water will keep surfaces streak-free (tap water can leave water spots on surfaces).
• Essential Oils: This is optional. If you want to scent your products, add a few drops of essential oil for a natural scent. I love a germ fighter blend (like this)–the combo of clove and other warm spices is amazing!
• 16-ounce Spray Bottle (my favorite): You’ll need a bottle to shake and combine the mixture of ingredients.

Add the rubbing alcohol and vinegar to the spray bottle, and essential oil if using (about 10-15 drops), then top the bottle off with water until full. So easy, right?!

How to Use DIY Glass Cleaner

With your homemade glass cleaner ready to go, here’s how to put this spray cleaner to use…

• Spray on surfaces. Use this cleaner on glass, window, or stainless steel (always spot test first) surfaces. This glass cleaner also works as a homemade window cleaner and mirror cleaner. You don’t need 3 different products for cleaning windows, glass surfaces, and mirrors–just this one!
• Wipe with a cloth. I recommend a microfiber cloth for streak-free cleaning. Microfiber cloths don’t leave behind the lint like many other cleaning cloths.

More DIY Cleaner Recipes and Tips

After making this recipe, give these natural cleaning tips and recipes a try…

• 5 Secrets to Using Natural Cleaners 
• Easy Homemade Sink and Tub Cleaner 
• All Purpose Cleaner 

Print

Homemade Glass and Mirror Cleaner

How to make a DIY homemade glass and mirror cleaner. This streak-free formula is budget-friendly, non-toxic, and takes less than 5 minutes to make!

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Glass Cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 16 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rubbing/isopropyl alcohol (if you'd prefer to not use this ingredient, skip it and add 1/2 vinegar OR vodka)
• 1/3 cup white distilled vinegar
• distilled water distilled water is best if storing for a few weeks, filtered water is fine if using within a few days

Instructions

• Add the alcohol and vinegar to a 16 ounce spray bottle.
  1/2 cup rubbing/isopropyl alcohol, 1/3 cup white distilled vinegar
• Add water until the bottle is full (use a funnel, if needed). If you don't care for a vinegar scent (although it goes away once the surface dries), add a few drops of your favorite cleaning essential oil. I personally like lemon, grapefruit, or a germ fighter blend. This glass cleaner may be stored at room temperature.
  distilled water
• To Use: Spray a glass, mirror, or window surface with the cleaner, then wipe the surface with a cloth (microfiber is best for streak-free glass cleaning).

Video

The post How to Make Homemade Glass and Mirror Cleaner appeared first on Live Simply.

Why Make an All Purpose Cleaner With Vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent natural cleaner. Most household vinegars (used in the kitchen) contain 4-6% acetic acid, which is what makes vinegar such a great cleaning ingredient. Vinegar has been shown to have antibacterial properties. To quote Dr. Alan Taege, an infectious disease expert at the Cleveland Clinic, in a recent interview with Women’s Health Magazine, “Vinegar does have disinfectant activity. Vinegar is acetic acid, which has the ability to destroy bacteria and viruses.”

Beyond its cleaning effectiveness and long-time traditional use, vinegar is super affordable. Besides baking soda, it’s probably the most affordable ingredient you can use when making homemade cleaning products.

What kind of vinegar is best to use for cleaning?

White vinegar is considered to be the most acidic vinegar out there and the strongest option for making a household cleaner. So when it comes to picking out a vinegar for cleaning purposes, I recommend going with distilled white vinegar. There’s no need to go organic when it comes to purchasing a vinegar for cleaning, just go with the most economical option you can find. I prefer buying a large bulk bottle of vinegar as vinegar is the most-used cleaning ingredient in my home.

But I Can’t Stand the Smell of Vinegar…

Or maybe someone you live with can’t stand the smell. If this is you, here are two ways to make and use an all purpose cleaner without having your house smell like a vinaigrette salad dressing.

• Transform white vinegar into a fragrant citrus vinegar. This is easy to do and only requires a handful of leftover citrus peels (orange peels, lemon peels, grapefruit peels, lime peels–your choice), fresh herbs, warm spices, and white vinegar. This infusion turns the vinegar into a deliciously-scented homemade orange peel vinegar (or take out the oranges and sub in whatever citrus you have on hand). Use this vinegar instead of white vinegar in homemade cleaning recipes like today’s all purpose vinegar cleaner. Find the recipe for orange peel vinegar here.
• Skip the vinegar and use castile soap instead. This homemade all-purpose cleaner is made with castile soap and water. It’s a great alternative to an all purpose cleaner made with vinegar.

How to Make an All Purpose Cleaner with Vinegar

To make all purpose cleaner with vinegar, you’ll need to combine 2 ingredients, with a third optional ingredient in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe.

1. Vinegar

I recommend using distilled white vinegar or a homemade orange peel vinegar. You’ll need 1 cup of vinegar to make this all purpose cleaner. If I want a stronger cleaning spray, I go with full strength vinegar. If I’m just looking to wipe down some counters and dust, I usually go with the suggested 1:1 ratio of water to vinegar. The beauty of making your own cleaning products is that you are in complete control of the strength of your product.

2. Water

If you’re going to use this cleaner within a few days, filtered water from your fridge or sink will be just fine. But if you’re planning to store this cleaner for a few weeks, distilled water is the safest choice. The distilled water process removes potential contaminants that could cause bacteria growth.

3. Essential Oil (Optional)

If you’d like to add a scent to this all purpose cleaner (aside from using an orange peel vinegar, if desired), or want to add extra antibacterial properties to the cleaner, adding an essential oil or a combo of essential oils is a nice option. Essential oils are concentrated oils derived from plants. Above, I’ve included a chart of some of my favorite essential oils to use for cleaning. I personally like lemon, grapefruit, or a germ fighter blend. You don’t need to add an essential oil to this cleaner to make it effective, this is simply an added bonus ingredient if you choose to use it. Keep in mind, it’s very difficult to determine how much of an essential oil is needed to make something like this DIY all purpose cleaner an antibacterial, antiviral, etc. spray. After all, this is a homemade spray and not something we’re testing in a lab.

4. Spray Bottle

I highly recommend investing in a couple of glass spray bottles if you’re going to make your own all purpose cleaners. Glass spray bottles will cost about $20 for a set of two. I’ve had my bottles for years and reuse them over and over again when making all-purpose spray.

How to Use This All Purpose Cleaner

There are so many ways to use this cleaner. Let’s take a look…

• sinks and tubs
• kitchen counters and tables (DO NOT use on granite or stone surfaces. This all purpose cleaner is a better option.)
• dusting surfaces (I recommend using a microfiber cloth)
• dirty toys
• door knobs
• lightswitches
• stainless steel surfaces
• bathroom counters
• toilet surfaces and even in the toilet bowl

Spray the surface directly with all purpose cleaner, then use a cloth to wipe the surface clean (or a toilet brush for the toilet). I don’t recommend using the cleaner on glass or mirror surfaces as it will leave behind a residue.

Print

DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Vinegar

How to make an easy all purpose cleaner with vinegar. Use this homemade cleaner to clean multiple surfaces in your home: kitchen surfaces, bathrooms, tubs and sinks, and more.

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword homemade vinegar all purpose cleaner

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 16 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 16 ounce glass spray bottle
• 1 cup white vinegar (between 4-6% acidity) or homemade citrus vinegar
• 1 cup distilled water
• 15-20 drops essential oil (optional) I personally like lemon, grapefruit, or a germ fighter blend.

Instructions

• Add the vinegar, water, and essential oil (if using) to the spray bottle.
• Place the spray nozzle on the bottle and gently shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. You'll want to do this each time you use the cleaner.
• Spray a cloth or the surface directly, then use a cloth to clean the surface. (Check out my 11 natural cleaning caddy essentials here.)

Notes

Where to use this cleaner...

• sinks and tubs
• kitchen counters and tables (DO NOT use on granite or stone surfaces, use this cleaner instead)
• dusting surfaces (I recommend using a microfiber cloth with this cleaner)
• dirty toys
• door knobs
• lightswitches
• stainless steel surfaces
• bathroom counters
• toilet surfaces and even in the toilet bowl (use a toilet brush after spraying)
• interior car surfaces

More DIY Cleaning Recipes with Vinegar

• Glass and Mirror Cleaner
• Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner
• How to Naturally Clean Your Dishwasher
• Vinegar Floor Cleaner (for Hard Floors)

The post DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Vinegar appeared first on Live Simply.

What is a Cleaning Caddy?

A cleaning caddy is a physical organizer, or a designated place in your home, where you store everything you need for cleaning. The beauty of keeping everything in one spot is that you can easily find what you need when you need it. Some people like to keep everything (except a broom or vacuum) under the sink (that’s my preference), others like to keep cleaning caddy essentials in the laundry area. Here are a few of my favorite cleaning caddy organizers:

• bamboo caddy
• plastic white caddy
• white metal caddy
• utility cart
• 2 tier sliding basket

What to Put in a Cleaning Caddy

Everyone’s cleaning needs are slightly different. You may choose to put a few extra cleaners or cleaning tools in your cleaning caddy. The following items are what I consider to be the top 11 cleaning caddy essentials that will get most (or all, in my case) of your home clean the non-toxic way.

1. All Purpose Cleaner
2. Castile Soap or Sal Suds
3. Vinegar
4. Baking Soda
5. Glass/Mirror Cleaner
6. Essential Oils
7. Microfiber Cloths
8. Microfiber Duster
9. Dustpan Set
10. Scrub Brush and Toilet Brush 
11. Microfiber Mop and Bucket

How to Use Your Cleaning Caddy Essentials

1. All Purpose Cleaner

Even if you don’t want to make your own cleaning products, I recommend going the DIY route with this cleaner. There are two options, either a vinegar all purpose cleaner (not suitable for stone or granite surfaces) or castile soap/Sal Suds all purpose cleaner (safe for most surfaces). Use an all purpose cleaner to clean: kitchen countertops, dusty surfaces, sinks and tubs, light switches, dirty toys, stainless steel surfaces, bathroom counters, and spot clean floors.

• For an all purpose vinegar cleaner, combine 1 cup distilled water, 1 cup white vinegar or homemade orange vinegar, 15-20 drops essential oil of choice (if desired). Add all the ingredients to a glass spray bottle.
• For an all purpose cleaner without vinegar, add 2 cups distilled water to a glass spray bottle, followed by 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap or 1 teaspoon Sal Suds and 15-20 drops essential oil of choice (if desired).
• If you prefer the store-bought route, check out this post for my top non-toxic all purpose cleaner suggestions.

2. Castile Soap or Sal Suds

Liquid castile soap is a plant based concentrated soap used to make multiple cleaning products. Sal Suds is the heavy duty big brother to castile soap and is fantastic at cutting grease and tackling super dirty surfaces.

• Clean hard floors by filling a 3 gallon bucket with warm water, followed by a few squirts of castile soap or Sal Suds and (optional) a few drops of an essential oil. Use a mop or scrub brush/rag to clean the floor with this solution.
• Use castile soap or Sal Suds to make an all-purpose cleaner for cleaning surfaces in your home.
• Use castile soap or Sal Suds to make a scrub cleaner to remove stubborn dirt and stains in tubs and sinks.
• Use castile soap to make a stain remover for laundry stains.

3.Vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent natural cleaner and the perfect addition to a natural cleaning caddy. Most household vinegars (used in the kitchen) contain 4-6% acetic acid, which is what makes vinegar such a great cleaning ingredient. White vinegar is considered to be the most acidic vinegar out there and the strongest option for making a household cleaner. If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, make a homemade orange cleaning vinegar with vinegar and orange peels.

• To make a hard floor cleaner, in a bucket, combine 2.5-3 gallons of warm water with 1 cup of vinegar (white vinegar or homemade orange vinegar) and (optional) a few drops of an essential oil. Use a mop or scrub brush/rag to clean the floor with this solution.
• Make an all-purpose cleaner to clean multiple surfaces in your home (not suitable for stone or granite surfaces).
• Make a disinfectant spray.
• Add vinegar to the laundry to naturally soften clothes and towels.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda is the most underrated cleaning ingredient in the natural cleaning world. It’s incredible and so effective! Baking soda will freshen, deodorize, and remove stubborn dirt and grease from surfaces. I keep a mason jar filled with baking soda in my cleaning caddy.

• Sprinkle baking soda in the toilet bowl, then scrub after a few minutes with a toilet brush.
• Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and rugs and vacuum after a few minutes to freshen a room.
• Sprinkle baking soda in a sink or tub, then scrub the surface with a wet cloth or scrub brush (add a squirt of Sal Suds or Castile soap for extra cleaning power).
• For a homemade magic eraser, apply baking soda to a wet cloth and gently rub the surface, repeating until the crayon or unwanted mark dissapears.

5. Glass/Mirror Cleaner

If you make a vinegar all purpose cleaner, you can use it to clean and polish glass surfaces. If you’re using an all purpose cleaner made with castile soap or Sal Suds, you’ll need to use something else.

• Make a glass and mirror cleaner by combining 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol and 1/3 cup white vinegar in a 16-ounce spray bottle, then top off the bottle with distilled water. If you’d prefer to not use rubbing alcohol, skip it and use 1/2 cup of vinegar instead. Spray on a glass surface and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

6. Essential Oils

If you’d like to add a scent to an all purpose cleaner, floor cleaner, or just want to just freshen your home without toxic fragrances, adding an essential oil or a combo of essential oils to a homemade cleaner or a diffuser is a nice option. Essential oils are concentrated oils derived from plants. Above, I’ve included a chart of some of my favorite essential oils to use for cleaning. You don’t need a huge stockpile of essential oils, choose a few scents (or just one) that you love and keep those oils handy for diffusing or cleaning. I personally like lemon, grapefruit, or a germ fighter blend. Want to learn more about essential oils? Check out my recent podcast episode with an aromatherapist.

7. Microfiber Cloths

A microfiber cleaning cloth is a blend of polyester or polyester and nylon. In my opinion, microfiber cloths do a better job at picking up dirt and debris than cotton cloths. And microfiber doesn’t leave behind streak marks on glass and stainless steel. According to an article by UC Davis, regarding a hospital that switched over to microfiber mops, “microfiber mops did a better job of penetrating surface pores and removing dust particles than conventional string mops and cloth. For example, after a surface was cleaned with conventional tools, a bacteria culture showed a 30% reduction, while microfiber materials reduced bacteria by 99%.”

8. Microfiber Duster

I’ve used the same microfiber duster with a removable, washable dusting pad for over 5 years now…it’s amazing! Just like with the microfiber cloths, I find this duster does a better job than feather dusters as it actually traps the dust versus sending dust particles flying throughout our home. After dusting a surface, I give the surface a spray with an all-purpose cleaner and wipe the surface clean.

9. Scrub Brush and Toilet Brush

Keep a long handle scrub brush or short handle scrub brush in your cleaning caddy to use when scrubbing tubs and sinks. And, of course, a toilet brush. A sprinkle of baking soda and a toilet brush are all I use to keep my toilets clean and fresh. If you want something extra for the toilet, spray all purpose cleaner or 100% vinegar in the toilet bowl after scrubbing away the baking soda, then scrub again.

10. Dust Pan Set

We have a Roomba in our home (because #animals) but I still find myself reaching for my broom and dust pan daily. I have a small dust pan set and a large broom. If you have carpet, of course, you’ll want a good vacuum as well. I have a Dyson and am satisfied with it. Shark brand is also highly rated.

11. Microfiber Mop and Bucket

For cleaning floors, I use the castile soap floor cleaner (mentioned above under castile soap) or vinegar (mentioned above under vinegar) and a mop bucket and microfiber mop. Just like with the duster and cloths, I find that microfiber does the best job at cleaning and picking up dirt. If you’re cleaning hardwood floors, it’s important to use a minimal amount of water (no soaking the floors). Always perform a spot test before cleaning an entire floor with a new cleaning product, even if it’s more natural.

The post 11 Natural Cleaning Caddy Essentials appeared first on Live Simply.

Why Make an All-Purpose Cleaner Without Vinegar?

Most household vinegars (used in the kitchen) contain 4-6% acetic acid, which is what makes vinegar such a great cleaning ingredient. It’s one of the major stars in my natural cleaning caddy.

Vinegar has been shown to have antibacterial properties. To quote Dr. Alan Taege, an infectious disease expert at the Cleveland Clinic, in a recent interview with Women’s Health Magazine, “Vinegar does have disinfectant activity. Vinegar is acetic acid, which has the ability to destroy bacteria and viruses.” But, I totally get not using vinegar to clean your home. If you’re in this boat, you may fall under one of two categories…

• You can’t stand the smell of vinegar. I get it. Having your house smell like a bottle of fresh vinaigrette salad dressing (sans the oil and spices) isn’t for everyone. Personally, I’ve learned to deal with the initial odor as it quickly vanishes, but I totally understand the odor issue.
• You need to clean a sensitive surface and can’t use vinegar. Vinegar can be too harsh for some surfaces, like natural stone, granite, and marble surfaces. The acidic nature of vinegar can be corrosive and damage these surfaces over time.

In these cases, you’ll need to reach for something other than the vinegar bottle. And today I’ll show you how to do this when making an all-purpose cleaner.

What can you use instead of vinegar for cleaning?

Castile soap or Sal Suds are my top two choices when needing to make an all purpose cleaner without vinegar. Let’s take a look at both of these powerhouse ingredients, then you can decide which one you want to use.

Option 1: Castile Soap

Castile soap is a plant-based soap made from vegetable oils (olive, coconut, palm) and plant oils. Here’s the exact definition and ingredient list from Dr. Bronner’s  (a popular castile soap brand).

“Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap with easy to recognize ingredients: Water, Organic Coconut Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Organic Palm Kernel Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Lavandin Extract, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Lavender Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol.” 

Castile soap isn’t a new fad. It’s been around since the 11th century and was first made in the Aleppo of the Levant region (modern day Syria). The Crusaders learned about this soap which was, eventually, duplicated in Europe without success. That is, until a region in Spain (called Castile) was able to get the recipe right and successfully made what we know today as “castile soap.” The soap became popular with Spanish royalty and eventually by the 1500’s made its way to England. Castile soap is versatile (you can use it to make multiple DIY cleaners and body products), inexpensive, and non-toxic. Today, there are many different castile soap brands. Dr. Bronner’s is my favorite and the easiest to find. Check out this post to learn more about castile soap and make 7 castile soap cleaning recipes.

Option 2: Sal Suds

Sal Suds is Dr. Bronner’s tougher version of soap, although its chemical makeup makes it a detergent, not a soap. Sal Suds is formulated to conquer tough cleaning projects: unforgiving grease and stubborn dirt.  Sal Suds, unlike castile soap, can be combined with vinegar since it’s a detergent with a different chemical composition than castile soap.

I use Sal Suds for tough cleaning tasks, like washing dishes, mopping the floor (it’s amazing how much dirt two kids and two dogs can track into a house), and removing stubborn grease stains from garments. Sal Suds is my backup tough guy when castile soap just can’t get the job done. Sal Suds is not a body-care product, so it doesn’t receive quite the same attention as its versatile cousin, castile soap.

Ingredients Needed to Make DIY All Purpose Cleaner Without Vinegar

We’re going to keep today’s recipe super simple. There’s no need to complicate this DIY cleaner. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need.

1. Castile Soap or Sal Suds

We talked about both of these options above so I won’t spend much time talking about them here. Keep in mind, both ingredients are used for cleaning surfaces, but are not antibacterial. As Lisa Bronner writes on her blog, “Surfactants, such as Castile Soap and Sal Suds, remove germs and bacteria, as well as dirt and grease. Again, they don’t kill. They remove all manner of dirt and germs and grease and other ickies off of any surface.”

2. Water

If you’re going to use this cleaner within a few days, filtered water from your fridge or sink will be just fine. But if you’re planning to store this cleaner for a few weeks, distilled water is the safest choice. The distilled water process removes potential contaminants that could cause bacteria growth in this homemade cleaner.

3. Essential Oil (Optional)

If you’d like to add a scent to this all purpose cleaner (outside of using a scented castile soap), or want to add antibacterial properties to the cleaner, adding an essential oil or a combo of essential oils is a nice option. Essential oils are basically concentrated oils derived from plants. Above, I’ve included a chart of some of my favorite essential oils to use for cleaning. I personally like lemon, grapefruit, or a germ fighter blend. You don’t need to add an essential oil to this cleaner to make it effective, this is simply an added bonus ingredient if you choose to use it. Keep in mind, it’s very difficult to determine how much of an essential oil is needed to make something like this DIY all purpose cleaner an antibacterial, antiviral, etc. spray. After all, this is a homemade spray and not something we’re testing in a lab.

4. Spray Bottle

I highly recommend investing in a couple of glass spray bottles if you’re going to make your own all-purpose cleaners. Glass spray bottles will cost about $20 for a set of two. I’ve had my bottles for years and reuse them over and over again when making all-purpose spray.

How to Use All Purpose Cleaner

There are so many ways to use this cleaner. Let’s take a look…

• sinks and tubs
• kitchen counters and tables
• dusting surfaces (I recommend using a microfiber cloth)
• dirty toys
• door knobs
• lightswitches
• stainless steel surfaces
• bathroom counters

Spray the surface directly with all purpose cleaner, then use a damp cloth to wipe the surface clean. I don’t recommend using the cleaner on glass or mirror surfaces as it will leave behind a residue. If you need something for cleaning mirrors and windows, I recommend this DIY cleaner.

Watch How to Make This Cleaner

Print

DIY All Purpose Cleaner Without Vinegar

This DIY all purpose cleaner is made without vinegar. You'll need just a couple of ingredients: castile soap or Sal Suds and water. You may also add an essential oil, if desired. This homemade cleaner removes bacteria and germs, along with grease and dirt from surfaces (removes, not kills -->this is a cleaning spray, not a disinfectant spray).

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword DIY all purpose cleaner without vinegar

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 16 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 16 ounce glass spray bottle
• 2 cups distilled water filtered water is fine if you plan to use the cleaner within a few days
• 2 TB liquid castile soap unscented or scented, OR 1 teaspoon of Sal Suds
• 15-20 drops essential oil (optional) I personally like lemon, grapefruit, or a germ fighter blend.

Instructions

• Add the water to the spray bottle, followed by the castile soap (or Sal Suds), and (if using) essential oil of choice.
• Place the spray nozzle on the bottle and gently shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. You'll want to do this each time you use the cleaner, particularly if it's been sitting and the ingredients have settled or separated.
• Spray a cloth or the surface directly, then use a damp cloth to clean the surface. ALWAYS perform a spot test first in a tiny area before spraying this cleaner on a surface, particularly sensitive surfaces. This applies to all cleaning products.

Video

Notes

Where to use this cleaner...

• sinks and tubs
• kitchen counters and tables
• dusting surfaces (I recommend using a microfiber cloth with this cleaner)
• dirty toys
• door knobs
• lightswitches
• stainless steel surfaces
• bathroom counters
• interior car surfaces

More DIY Cleaning Recipes Without Vinegar

• Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• DIY Hand Soap
• Homemade Laundry Soap Powder
• Soft Scrub Like Cleaner
• Bathroom Cleaner

The post DIY All Purpose Cleaner Without Vinegar appeared first on Live Simply.

One of the easiest ways to create a healthier home is to swap out commercial air fresheners with non-toxic options. Below, you’ll find 6 totally-natural, non-toxic air fresheners.

Are Air Fresheners Healthy?

According to the National Research Defense Council, “The federal government does not currently test air fresheners for safety or require manufacturers to meet any specific safety standards.”

The Defense Council tested 14 brands of air fresheners and found that 12 of the products contained phthalates, a man-made chemical that can be used in plastics and fragranced cleaning and cosmetic products. Some forms are believed to disrupt hormones (listen to this podcast episode about hormones and detoxing), cause reproductive health issues, be carcinogenic, and may be linked to asthma.

And this is JUST ONE concerning ingredient.

The US Government’s National Toxicology Program warns that plug-in air fresheners release formaldehyde, which is a known human carcinogen.

We’re not going to spend our time talking about the harmful side of conventional air fresheners, because today we’re going to focus on the change we can make: safe-for-you, DIY air fresheners. If you want to learn more about the harmful ingredients used in air fresheners, check out this article.

6 DIY Natural Air Fresheners

Below, you’ll find a list of natural air fresheners for a fresh, healthier home. Don’t let the word “DIY” scare you away. Some options don’t require any mixing or craftiness, while others do require some easy DIYing.

You may want to use one air freshener or multiple in your home. Keep in mind, a natural air freshener will not contain the strong, long-lasting fragrance that you’ll find with most air freshener products sold in stores. This is because these products do not contain toxic chemicals that cause scents to linger. Natural scents will dissipate over time and will add a subtle scent to a room.

1. Beeswax Candles

A cozy way to purify the air in your home. Buy beeswax candles from local markets or make them yourself. They’re super easy to make: try the slow-cooker method, stove-top method, or taper candles. If you want to scent your candles, add an essential oil (naturally derived from plants).

2. Live Plants

Plants not only add beauty to a space, but also purify the air. Even if you don’t have a “green thumb” you can still add a couple of plants. I’ve had great success with the ZZ Plant and Monstera Delicioso (both work in spaces without a ton of direct sunlight).

3. Diffuser

This is my favorite way to scent my home. Add a few drops of an essential oil or blend of essential oils to an essential oil diffuser. My favorite oil blends to diffuse for fall: Harvest Moon and Pumpkin Pie.

4. Simmer Pots 

Add cinnamon sticks, orange or lemon rinds, whole cloves, and/or fresh rosemary or eucalyptus to a pot of water and simmer on your stove-top. The simmer will freshen the air in your home and add a wonderful scent.

5. Vodka Air Freshener

Make your own air freshener spray with vodka and essential oils or spices. Try this recipe for an essential oil vodka spray (4 ways!) and this recipe for a spray using oranges and herbs.

6. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a great odor-absorber. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, rugs, or a mattress. Let rest for 20-30 minutes, then vacuum. Add an essential oil to the baking soda if desired for scent.

Essential Oils Note: If you have animals in your home, do your research about which essentials are best to use and not use around your pets.

The post 6 DIY Natural Air Fresheners For a Fresh Home appeared first on Live Simply.

If you peeked under my sink a few years ago, you would have counted at least 12 “different” products. I never sat down to calculate how much money I spent on all those products (most of which I didn’t use), but I’m sure the annual cost was quite significant.

After making changes to the way we eat (going from a diet of highly processed food to one of healthy, real food), I started to question the cleaning products used in home. I was curious (just as I was about food): what ingredients were used to create my favorite cleaning products? Why did my favorite beauty products smell a certain way? What ingredients were used to make the products sprayed in my home and layered on my body and were they safe? I also started to question whether so many different cleaning products were essential.

I was shocked to learn that cleaning and body products are not required go through rigorous testing or approval. In fact, cleaning companies are not required to disclose their ingredients (beauty product are required).

When you take a deep dive into researching these products and ingredients, it can be concerning to read about the impact they have on the body. For example, “fragrance” is considered a trade secret that is commonly found on the ingredient list (if disclosed) of products. This ingredient (which can be made with hundreds of different chemicals, including phthalates which disrupt hormones) is top secret and incredibly concerning in terms of toxic ingredients. This is just one example of the concerning ingredients that can be used to make a product.

Sure, maybe a small amount of these ingredients aren’t harmful (as companies say), but when you consider how many products we use in a day (or week or month), we aren’t using a trace amount of these chemicals in our homes and on our bodies. We’re burdening our systems with all these ingredients and the cumulative effect of using so many potentially-toxic chemicals.

You’ll find a lot of natural and green marketing words used to describe cleaning and body products today. These terms have no regulation, so full transparency of ingredients is all we have to help us navigate products and make informed choices.

A company should be completely transparent about their sourcing and ingredients, particularly a company that claims (on a website or packaging) to be “natural” or “non-toxic.” There should be nothing to hide. Instead, such a company should be proud to disclose their ingredients. This includes companies making both body and cleaning products.

At the time (remember, this was 9 years ago), there weren’t many transparent brands on the market making ready-to-use, multi-purpose cleaning products, so I decided to research the idea of making my own products. My research led to the discovery of a natural product that cleans anything and everything: castile soap.

What is Castile Soap?

Castile soap is a plant-based soap made from vegetable oils (olive, coconut, palm) and plant oils. Here’s the exact definition and ingredient list from Dr. Bronner’s  (a popular castile soap brand).

“Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap with easy to recognize ingredients:Water, Organic Coconut Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Organic Palm Kernel Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Lavandin Extract, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Lavender Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol.” 

Want to learn more?  In this guide, learn everything you need to know about this traditional soap, how to use it, 7 amazing benefits, the best brands, and warnings.

History of Castile Soap

Castile soap isn’t a new fad. It’s been around since the 11th century and was first made in the Aleppo of the Levant region (modern day Syria). The Crusaders learned about this soap which was, eventually, duplicated in Europe without success. That is, until a region in Spain (called Castile) was able to get the recipe right and successfully made what we know today as “castile soap.” The soap became popular with Spanish royalty and eventually by the 1500’s made its way to England.

3 Reasons to Use This Soap

Besides being an ancient and traditional soap, there are several reasons why castile soap is awesome…

• Super Versatile: Castile soap is super versatile. You can make cleaning and body products with the same soap.
• Inexpensive: A 32-ounce bottle of castile soap will cost $17. Yes, this is more expensive than a bottle of all-purpose cleaner, but it will last you for months! Castile soap is highly concentrated so a little bit goes a long way.
• Non-Toxic: Castile soap is made with easy to recognize, simple, non-toxic ingredients. This is why you can use it on your skin and the surfaces in your home.

How to Use Castile Soap

When using castile soap to make household cleaners, there are a few things to keep in mind…

• Dilute: Castile soap isn’t meant to be used as-is, unless you’re buying the bar soap for your body. It’s intended to be diluted before use. This chart is a great cheat sheet.
• Don’t Mix Castile Soap with Vinegar: I see this all the time on Pinterest. Please do not mix your castile soap with vinegar. You will not make an amazing cleaner. You’ll end up with a mess. When combined, vinegar (an acid) and castile soap (a base) cancel each other and create unsaponified soap. This reaction reduces the soap back to its original oils. If you try mixing the two ingredients you’ll immediately notice the castile soap curdles and feels very oily.
• Castile Soap is Safe for Most Surfaces: Unlike vinegar (which shouldn’t be used on marble or granite or unsealed wood), castile soap is safe to use on most surfaces in your home. The only one caution I would advise is to avoid using castile soap on waxed floors to avoid build-up.
• Castile Soap is Skin Safe: It’s not only safe for most surfaces, but also safe to use on the skin. Just be sure to dilute.

Where to Buy Castile Soap

You’ll find castile soap in most stores, from Target to Walmart to Whole Foods and the down-the-street grocery store. Many times, castile soap won’t be found in the cleaning section, so be sure to check the body care section. You can also buy castile soap on Amazon.

I recommend Dr. Bronner’s brand. I’ve tried other brands in the past, but haven’t been pleased with most options. Dr. Bronner’s makes several options for scents. I prefer the baby mild since I can add my own essential oils (for scent or additional antibacterial properties) or just go free of any scent. If you want to try a scented castile soap (the scents are completely natural and not made with the hormone disrupting ingredients found in “fragrance”), here’s what I recommend…

For cleaning products: Lavender, Tea Tree or Citrus

For beauty products: Lavender, Tea Tree or Baby Mild

7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap

I don’t make all of these products today (9 years after I learned about castile soap and started making products at home). There are quite a few store-bought options now on the market, so most of my skincare is from brands I love and trust. I still make the most of my own cleaning products with laundry soap being the one exception. I find that making my own cleaning products to be the most affordable option for natural cleaning.

This list is to give you an idea of all the different products you can make with one bottle of castile soap. Using this one ingredient to make multiple products saves money and allows you to know exactly what’s going into your products.

1. All-Purpose Cleaner Spray

My favorite cleaning product that will clean nearly every surface in your home. Use this cleaner in your bathroom and kitchen, your sinks, stovetops, even your toilets.

• 2 cups distilled water
• 2 TB liquid castile soap
• 15 drops essential of choice, such as: lavender, tea tree, orange, or peppermint
• 16-ounce glass spray bottle

Pour the water into the spray bottle (use a funnel, if needed). Add the castile soap and essential oil. Gentle shake the cleaner. This cleaner may be stored at room temperature.

2. Hand Soap

With two active kiddos we go through a lot of hand soap in our house. A bottle of natural hand soap costs $3.99-$6 a bottle, depending on the brand. One 32-ounce bottle of castile soap makes approximately 8 homemade bottles of hand soap. If you don’t like the liquid feel of this hand soap, use a foaming hand soap dispenser instead of a regular soap dispenser.

• 1/2 cup distilled water
• 1/2 cup liquid castile soap
• 1 TB sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, avocado, or olive oil (optional, for moisturizing)
• 15 drops tea tree essential oil (optional, for bacteria-fighting properties)
• 5-10 drops lavender essential oil (optional, for bacteria-fighting properties)
• soap dispenser or foaming soap dispenser bottle

More Recipe Ideas

SEE ALL RECIPES

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner (Just 3 Ingredients!)

How to Make DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaners 

DIY Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Homemade Stain Remover Recipe For Clothes

Cleaning With Castile Soap (15 How to Use Recipes & Tips)

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I want to help you do the same. That’s why each month we chat about how to practically make the switch from toxic products to more natural products. So far we’ve talked about making the switch to natural toothpaste and dish soap.

Today, let’s talk about a cleaning product that most of use daily in our homes: all-purpose spray cleaner.

Unlike body and personal care products, companies aren’t required to list all ingredients on a cleaning product label. And since cleaning products aren’t ingested, the ingredients are not regulated by the Food & Drug Administration.

Because of this, it can be hard to know what cleaning products are more natural and what products are potentially harmful. The easiest way to determine this is to search for a product’s rating on either the Environmental Working Group’s website or the Think Dirty App (both resources are provided by consumer watchdog groups). I aim for an A or B rating on the EWG site, or a 0-3 rating on the Think Dirty App.

My goal with every “make the switch” chat is to provide you with a list of my favorite products in a particular category. My favorite all-purpose spray cleaner list includes a couple of store-bought products, a couple of online products, and a few homemade solutions. The list certainly isn’t exhaustive, so I also encourage you to use the EWG and Think Dirty resources to do your own research.  

White Vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent single ingredient all-purpose cleaner that may be used on a variety of surfaces (not granite, marble, or other surfaces that are sensitive to acid). Vinegar is the most cost-effective option on this list. Here’s how to make your own cleaner…

In a 16-ounce spray bottle, combine 1 cup of distilled water, 1 cup of white vinegar, and an optional 15-30 drops of essential oil: lavender, peppermint, grapefruit, orange, or lemon. Seal the bottle and shake to combine the ingredients. Store the cleaner for up to 3-4 weeks. Shake between uses.

Sal Suds

Sal Suds is Dr. Bronner’s tougher version of castile soap, although its chemical makeup makes it a detergent, not a soap. Sal Suds is formulated to conquer unforgiving grease and stubborn dirt. I like to combine Sal Suds with vinegar to make an all-purpose spray.

In a 16-ounce spray bottle, combine 1 cup of distilled water, 1 cup of white vinegar, 1/2 tsp of Sal Suds, and an optional 15-30 drops of essential oil:  lavender, peppermint, grapefruit, orange, or lemon. Seal the bottle and shake to combine the ingredients. Store the cleaner for up to 3-4 weeks. Shake between uses.

Castile Soap

If you’re not a fan of vinegar’s distinct scent, castile soap is another option for a semi-homemade all-purpose cleaner. This is a great option if you’re cleaning delicate surfaces (always spot test first), or just want to avoid vinegar. Here’s how to make your own cleaner…

In a 16-ounce spray bottle, combine 2 cups of distilled water, ¼ cup of castile soap, and an optional 15-30 drops of essential oil: lavender, peppermint, grapefruit, orange, or lemon. Seal the bottle and shake to combine the ingredients. Store the cleaner for up to 3-4 weeks. Shake between uses.

Branch Basics 

This company has won my heart and cleaning caddy. Not only are the founders of Branch Basics super transparent about their ingredients and have a deep passion for teaching people how to get rid of toxic chemicals in their home, the products they sell really work. I say products, but really there is only one main cleaning product: the concentrate. With this one product, you can make multiple cleaners to use in your home, from all-purpose cleaner to laundry soap to hand soap. Branch Basics sends you all the bottles (which include how much concentrate to water you need to mix together) along with the actual concentrate. Once you have the bottles, you simply need to replace the concentrate as needed. Use code Livesimply at checkout for 10% off. 

Seventh Generation All-Purpose Spray (or Multi-Surface Disinfecting Spray)  

This is my favorite store-bought, ready-to-use spray. It’s easy to find in most grocery stores and inexpensive. The cleaner receives an A rating from the Environment Working Group and a 0 from Think Dirty.

FIT Organic

This option isn’t as easy to find as the Seventh Generation spray. If you stumble upon it in your local grocery store or a health food store, I recommend giving it a try.

Earth Friendly Products ECOS All Purpose Cleaner

This cleaner receives an A grade from the EWG, is affordable, and can be found at many different stores (from Walmart.com to Whole Foods). It has a wonderfully subtle orange scent that feels fresh but not overpowering (the trademark of a good, naturally-scented product).

 Tell me what you’re working on swapping in your home, what you’ve already swapped, what you want to swap in the future, and any all-purpose cleaners that you particularly love (or don’t love).

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