Commercial cleaning products dominate household routines. While these products promise quick results, their hidden costs impact both the environment and our health, and they often don’t work better than homemade eco-friendly products. Homemade eco-friendly cleaning products offer a real and easy solution.
Most commercial cleaners contain synthetic chemicals like bleach, ammonia, and artificial fragrances, which release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to indoor air pollution. Additionally, many of these chemicals don’t break down easily, polluting waterways and harming ecosystems when washed down the drain. Add to that packaging waste as most commercial cleaners come in single-use plastic bottles, fueling the global plastic crisis.
Let’s check a better solution, homemade eco-friendly cleaning products. Made from simple, natural ingredients, these DIY alternatives are free from toxic chemicals and biodegradable, meaning they won’t linger in the environment. As an extra, they’re also stored in reusable containers, reducing plastic waste.
Below, we explore 20 effective, eco-friendly cleaning products you can make yourself. But let’s first explain a bit more why these alternatives stand out over conventional cleaning supplies.
- 1 Why are Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Better for You?
- 2 What Ingredients Do You Need To Make Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
- 3 20 Housemade Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
- 3.1 1. All-Purpose Cleaner
- 3.2 2. Glass and Window Cleaner
- 3.3 3. Bathroom Cleaner
- 3.4 4. Floor Cleaner
- 3.5 5. Carpet Deodorizer
- 3.6 6. Wood Furniture Polish
- 3.7 7. Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- 3.8 8. Stainless Steel Cleaner
- 3.9 9. Air Freshener
- 3.10 10. Dish Soap
- 3.11 11. Laundry Detergent
- 3.12 12. Oven Cleaner
- 3.13 13. Drain Cleaner
- 3.14 14. Furniture Dusting Spray
- 3.15 15. Grout Cleaner
- 3.16 16. Stainless Steel Polish
- 3.17 17. Microwave Cleaner
- 3.18 18. Mattress Freshener
- 3.19 19. Refrigerator Cleaner
- 3.20 20. Shoe Deodorizer
- 4 Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Simply Are Better
Why are Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Better for You?
Switching to eco-friendly cleaning products offers multiple benefits that go beyond a clean home. These natural alternatives reduce exposure to harsh chemicals, improve indoor air quality, and lower your environmental footprint. Traditional commercial cleaners often contain synthetic ingredients and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. In contrast, eco-friendly options use safe, biodegradable ingredients that are gentle on both you and the planet. Here’s why choosing eco-friendly cleaning products is a smarter, healthier choice.
- Non-Toxic Ingredients: Unlike commercial cleaners that often contain harsh chemicals (like bleach, ammonia, and artificial fragrances), these homemade products use safe, natural ingredients, such as baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils. This means they don’t release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other toxins that can affect indoor air quality and human health.
- Biodegradability: Ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils are biodegradable, which means they break down naturally and don’t linger in the environment. This reduces water pollution and soil contamination that can occur when harsh cleaning chemicals enter waterways and ecosystems.
- Reduced Packaging Waste: By making these products yourself, you’re reusing bottles and containers instead of purchasing new plastic packaging each time. This helps reduce single-use plastic waste, which is a significant contributor to pollution and landfill overflow.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: The ingredients used in these recipes are often common household staples. By avoiding the need to buy commercially manufactured cleaners, which require transportation, packaging, and industrial production, you reduce the overall carbon footprint of your cleaning products.
- Essential Oils as Natural Fragrances: Commercial cleaners often use synthetic fragrances, which can contain phthalates and other chemicals. Essential oils provide a pleasant scent naturally, without introducing toxins. Many essential oils also have natural antibacterial or antifungal properties, adding to their cleaning effectiveness without environmental harm.
- Gentle on Surfaces and Skin: Natural cleaning solutions are generally less abrasive and gentler on surfaces and skin. They reduce the risk of exposure to skin-irritating chemicals, which is especially beneficial for people with allergies or sensitive skin.
- Safety for Household Members and Pets: Homemade cleaners that avoid synthetic chemicals are safer for children and pets, who can be more susceptible to the harmful effects of commercial cleaners. Ingesting or coming into contact with these natural solutions is less likely to lead to poisoning or adverse health effects.
What Ingredients Do You Need To Make Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Creating your own eco-friendly cleaning products is simpler than you might think, and it only takes a handful of common, natural ingredients. These items are safe, biodegradable, and effective for a wide range of cleaning tasks—without the harsh chemicals often found in commercial products. From everyday pantry staples like baking soda and vinegar to plant-based options like castile soap and essential oils, these ingredients can be mixed and matched to tackle dirt, grime, and odors throughout your home. Here’s a look at the key ingredients you’ll need to get started.
- Baking Soda: It’s a natural deodorizer and gentle abrasive, suitable for scrubbing without harsh scratching. It’s safe for the environment and effective for deodorizing and cleaning.
- White Vinegar: This common kitchen staple is a natural disinfectant and cuts through grease effectively. It has antimicrobial properties, helping to reduce bacteria without leaving harmful residues.
- Castile Soap: Made from vegetable oils (like olive or coconut), castile soap is biodegradable and non-toxic, making it an eco-friendly alternative to commercial dish soaps that often contain phosphates and other harmful chemicals.
- Essential Oils: Natural oils like lemon, tea tree, and lavender add fragrance without synthetic chemicals and also provide additional antimicrobial or antifungal properties.
- Olive Oil: When used in polishing solutions, olive oil offers a safe and sustainable alternative to petroleum-based products, which can have a heavy environmental impact.
20 Housemade Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
We tested 20 different eco-friendly, homemade cleaning products that you can easily make yourself to keep your home sparkling clean. Here’s the full list, along with simple recipes to get started.
1. All-Purpose Cleaner
Combine 1 cup distilled water, 1 cup white vinegar, and 10–15 drops of essential oil like lemon or lavender in a spray bottle. This all-purpose solution cleans countertops, sinks, and other surfaces effectively without harsh chemicals. Avoid on natural stone, as vinegar may etch. Using vinegar reduces indoor air pollution since it contains no synthetic chemicals that linger in the air, unlike commercial cleaners.
2. Glass and Window Cleaner
For a streak-free shine, mix 2 cups water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. This natural alternative cleans glass effectively without releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) commonly found in commercial glass cleaners, protecting indoor air quality.
3. Bathroom Cleaner
A paste of 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide, and 1 teaspoon castile soap tackles bathroom grime. Let it sit on tiles or tubs for 10 minutes before scrubbing. Baking soda and castile soap are both biodegradable, making this cleaner safe for water systems and septic tanks, unlike chemical-laden commercial options.
4. Floor Cleaner
Mix 1 gallon warm water with 1/2 cup white vinegar. For added freshness, add a few drops of essential oil. This cleaner works on tile and vinyl floors without leaving chemical residues or emitting VOCs. Using vinegar as a cleaning agent helps reduce the need for commercial floor cleaners packed with synthetic ingredients.
5. Carpet Deodorizer
Combine 1 cup baking soda with 10–15 drops of essential oil. Sprinkle over carpets, let sit for 20 minutes, then vacuum. Baking soda neutralizes odors without artificial fragrances, offering a safer option for households with pets or children.
6. Wood Furniture Polish
In a spray bottle, mix 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup white vinegar, and 20–30 drops of lemon essential oil. This polish restores wood’s shine naturally, free of waxy buildup left by petroleum-based commercial products, making it better for both your home and the environment.
7. Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Sprinkle 1/2 cup baking soda in the toilet bowl, then add 1/4 cup white vinegar. The fizzing action lifts stains, and both ingredients are environmentally safe. This combo doesn’t rely on chlorine or harsh acids, reducing water pollution from toxic cleaning chemicals.
8. Stainless Steel Cleaner
Make a gentle paste with 1/4 cup baking soda and water. Apply with a cloth and wipe clean for a smudge-free shine. Commercial cleaners often contain abrasive agents, while baking soda cleans gently, leaving stainless steel surfaces clean without scratches or residue.
9. Air Freshener
Combine 1 cup distilled water, 2 tablespoons vodka or rubbing alcohol, and 20–30 drops essential oil in a spray bottle. This air freshener adds a fresh scent without synthetic fragrances that often contain phthalates. Essential oils disperse naturally, providing a pleasant fragrance and reducing indoor air pollutants.
10. Dish Soap
Mix 1 cup castile soap, 1 tablespoon washing soda, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and a few drops of essential oil. This homemade dish soap cleans effectively without phosphates or dyes, which can harm aquatic ecosystems. Castile soap’s plant-based ingredients also make it safe for your hands and the environment.
11. Laundry Detergent
Grate 1 bar castile soap and mix with 1 cup each of washing soda, baking soda, and optional borax. Use 1–2 tablespoons per load. This eco-friendly laundry detergent avoids synthetic fragrances and phosphates, reducing water pollution and leaving clothes fresh without irritating chemicals.
12. Oven Cleaner
Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with water to create a spreadable paste. Apply, let sit overnight, then spray with vinegar the next day and wipe clean. This method avoids the caustic chemicals in most commercial oven cleaners, making it safe for both the oven and the environment.
13. Drain Cleaner
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. After 15 minutes, flush with boiling water. This natural solution breaks down minor clogs and odors without releasing harmful chemicals into your plumbing or local waterways.
14. Furniture Dusting Spray
Combine 1 cup water, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 10 drops lemon essential oil. Shake well and spray on a soft cloth. This natural dusting solution leaves a gentle shine and fresh scent, avoiding the synthetic fragrances and waxy buildup common in commercial dusting sprays.
15. Grout Cleaner
Create a paste with 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide, and 1 teaspoon dish soap. Apply, let sit, and scrub. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide whiten grout without the use of bleach, reducing chemical exposure for a healthier home.
16. Stainless Steel Polish
Mix 1/4 cup olive oil with 10 drops lemon essential oil and apply with a cloth. This natural polish restores the shine to stainless steel appliances without leaving synthetic residues.
17. Microwave Cleaner
In a microwave-safe bowl, mix 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and a few lemon slices. Microwave for 5 minutes, then wipe the interior clean. This solution uses steam to loosen food particles, avoiding the need for abrasive scrubbers and chemical sprays.
18. Mattress Freshener
Combine 1 cup baking soda with 10 drops lavender essential oil. Sprinkle on the mattress, let sit for an hour, then vacuum. This freshener neutralizes odors without artificial sprays, which may contain harmful aerosols and chemicals.
19. Refrigerator Cleaner
Mix 2 tablespoons baking soda with 1 quart warm water. Use a cloth to clean the interior of your fridge. This non-toxic mixture safely removes stains and odors, leaving no harmful residues that might affect food storage.
20. Shoe Deodorizer
Combine 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup cornstarch, and 10–15 drops essential oil (like tea tree or eucalyptus). Place in breathable fabric bags or socks and leave in shoes overnight. This deodorizer absorbs moisture and odors naturally, eliminating the need for aerosol-based sprays with synthetic scents.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Simply Are Better
Each of these DIY products relies on natural, biodegradable ingredients. Baking soda, vinegar, and castile soap, for instance, don’t linger in the environment or contribute to water pollution, unlike chemicals in many commercial cleaners. Additionally, essential oils provide a safe alternative to synthetic fragrances, avoiding the phthalates that can disrupt endocrine systems in humans and animals.
Homemade cleaning products also cut down on single-use plastic waste, as you can reuse containers instead of purchasing new plastic bottles. This reduces both packaging waste and your carbon footprint, as fewer products need to be manufactured and transported.
Switching to these eco-friendly cleaning solutions not only protects the environment but also enhances your home’s air quality, reduces the risk of chemical exposure for children and pets, and promotes a sustainable lifestyle.