Hey earth muffins! I love spring for multiple reasons: the end of winter, flowers blooming, and (yes) even spring cleaning. There is something about decluttering and sorting the house that clears my mind and makes me feel more at ease at home. Does anyone agree with me?? While cleaning isn’t the most enjoyable activity, the reward after is always worth it. Plus, you can stay sustainable and zero waste as you clean too! Today I will be sharing my favorite DIY all purpose cleaner with you all – let’s jump right into it!
Why Should You Make Your Own All Purpose Cleaner?
Let’s face it – there is an endless array of cleaners at the store. It is honestly so overwhelming (and smelly) in the cleaning supplies aisle! Along with stressing your brain out with too many options, most cleaners are full of nasty chemicals that aren’t great for you. While they are supposed to keep your house clean, do you really want to breathe in all those toxins when there are other more natural options?? On top of this, many come in plastic bottles too which means they are bad for the environment and typically end up in the landfill. So instead of buying cleaners this spring, I suggest making your own! This is a great way to zero waste your cleaning supplies and keep your household chemical-free.
My Favorite DIY All Purpose Cleaner
If you want a cleaner that works, smells great, and is all-natural then I have the solution for you! It only takes a few ingredients:
- White vinegar – I buy mine in bulk and always have a huge container of it under the kitchen sink
- Water
- Your favorite essential oil – I personally think peppermint, lemon, and tea tree are the best for cleaners but feel free to use whatever you have around your house.
- Glass container – If you have a glass spray bottle, then perfect. If you don’t, make do with what you have. I personally used a mason jar and repurposed spray top from an old Windex bottle my boyfriend had when we moved in together (washed of course).
The recipe is so simple anyone can make it. Just mix one parts water with one parts vinegar in your glass container (if you use 1/2 cup of water, then use 1/2 cup of vinegar). 😍 Add a few drops of your essential oil and ta-da! Your cleaner is complete! Please note that it is crucial that you use a glass container to store your cleaner. Essential oils can break down some plastics over time, so you wouldn’t want to keep this in a plastic bottle… It will last for a long time if you correctly store it in glass.
How to Use this All Purpose Cleaner
I basically use this as my go-to cleaner whenever I am cleaning the house. I spray it onto surfaces and then use Natissy paper towels or washcloths to scrub everything clean. It works great on kitchen counters and bathrooms – I’ve never seen my bathroom sink so sparkly! Don’t be afraid about the smell of it either. A lot of people are scared of DIY cleaners because they think the vinegar will make their house smell funky. I definitely thought that at first too; but, I can assure you that it doesn’t leave your house smelling like vinegar. The dilution with water (and the addition of essential oils) ensures there aren’t any lasting odors.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think you need to give this low waste DIY a try when doing your spring cleaning. You really can’t go wrong with it! The cleaner does an excellent job of keeping your house clean while allowing you to stay away from nasty chemicals that aren’t great for your health in the long term. I will definitely be using this a ton in the spring. What cleaners are your go-to? Comment below and share your favorite DIY cleaner recipes!
Love,
Jenna ♥
What a wonderful idea! So glad this works well for you. I definitely need to do some spring cleaning soon!