10 Homemade Cleaners That Really Work (and Are Cheap)!

Mar 6, 2021 | Cleaning Tips and Tricks, DIY

Mixing up homemade cleaners is a quick and easy way to save some major money when it comes to keeping your house clean! We've got ten recipes for different types of cleaners that are simple to make, yet powerful to use.

homemade cleaner on a counter, from Fun Cheap or Free

Where are all our DIYers at? Yes, definitely you? No, not you at all? Whether you're excited to read that or are about ready to skedaddle on outta here, just wait a sec!

*Note: When you click the links in this post, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

We've rounded up just about the easiest-to-make homemade cleaners out there that are easy on the wallet yet tough on dirt and grime. (Ohhh, that sounds like it could have a catchy jingle!) So even if you're not a DIYer, stick around because you're going to like what you read. 😉


THE BEST HOMEMADE CLEANERS

Whether you wanting to avoid harsh chemicals or you're just plain tired of paying so much for your cleaning products, we've got you covered! We've compiled a great list of the best homemade cleaners you can easily make at home. Bonus? Most of the recipes call for ingredients you likely already have in your house!

Here are a few of the most common things you'll need to be able to make your own homemade cleaners:

As with all new-to-you cleaners, test cleaners out in an inconspicuous spot. They should all work perfectly and shouldn't leave any stains or discolorations!


SAFE CLEANERS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

The best thing about these non-toxic, homemade cleaners? The whole family can use them! We love kids helping out around the house, starting at a young age. Most kids want to help, so put them to work and let them enjoy the fruits of their labor. There's nothing like seeing something go from gross to shiny with a little elbow grease!


HOMEMADE CLEANERS FOR YOUR FLOORS

woman cleaning the floor, from Fun Cheap or Free

Floors are one of the most-used surfaces in your house. Keep them clean to keep them in tip-top shape! Use these homemade cleaners, and you'll know you've got the cleanest floors in the neighborhood. 😉


HOMEMADE CARPET CLEANER

We've got two great homemade cleaners for you, one to be used in machines and one to use for spot treatment. Both are super easy to make and work really well!

FOR CARPET CLEANING MACHINES

This recipe is great to use on carpet, upholstery, car interiors, and more!

In a large bowl or pitcher, combine everything but the water and stir until combined. Slowly pour the hot water in and stir carefully, trying not to make any bubbles. Stir slowly until everything is completely dissolved and combined. Store in a gallon-sized container (a milk jug works great!) and label it as “Concentrated Carpet Cleaner.”

This works like a champ! Use however much your carpet shampooing machine calls for and be amazed at the results.


SPRAY ON CARPET CLEANER

For those times you don't want to pull out the machine to get a small spot on the carpet or couch, no worries! We've got your back. Grab these ingredients using what you're almost guaranteed to always have at your house:

Holding the spray bottle over the sink, add the liquid dish soap, vinegar, and water. Add the baking soda and quickly place the lid on the bottle as fast as you can! Vinegar and baking soda react and cause lots of bubbles (remember those volcanoes you made for science class back in middle school?). 😉

When you have a stain, vacuum over the spot and use the scrubber side of a sponge to loosen any particles. Spray the stained area generously with your homemade carpet cleaner and watch it do its magic! Dab and wipe with a towel to help remove the stain and dry the area. Be amazed at the carpet cleaning power you've made!

Pro Tip: Label your various misting and squirt bottles. You don't want to mist your plants with carpet spot remover.


HOMEMADE HARD FLOOR CLEANER

Are you ready for a homemade hard floor cleaner that works on all surfaces?! You can make this cleaner in a snap and have floors that would make Snow White and Cinderella proud.

  • 8 cups warm water
  • 2 cups distilled white vinegar
  • 1 cup 70% rubbing alcohol
  • ½ teaspoon liquid dish soap*

*A note about the dish soap: Don't use any containing anti-bacterial, moisturizing, or oxygenated bleach ingredients, as they will leave streaks. Castile soap will also leave streaks, so we don't suggest using that, either!

Add all ingredients to a gallon-sized bucket, mix, and get to town on those floors with your favorite mop! Allow the floors to dry completely before walking on them. Be proud of just how amazing your homemade floor cleaner works!


HOMEMADE GROUT CLEANER

grout cleaning paste in a jar, from Fun Cheap or Free

Oh grout, you can be the bane of our existence! It looks so nice when it's clean, and so gross when it's not. Use this easy peasy recipe and method and be amazed at how clean your grout is about to be!

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
  • 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap

Mix ingredients together in a small bowl. Spoon onto the grout and let sit for 10- to 15-minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush, then clean up with a damp rag. Next, mop your floor with your homemade floor cleaner (recipe above) for added cleaning power.


HOMEMADE ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER

Three cheers for a homemade cleaner that can be used on all surfaces! Piece of cake. Piece of crumb cake. (Name that movie!)

  • 2 teaspoons liquid dish soap
  • Water

Mix the dish soap and water in a spray bottle and get to cleaning! Just spray it on whatever you need to clean and wipe it off with a towel or rag. Keep in mind this isn't a disinfectant, just a way to keep your surfaces clean.


HOMEMADE OVEN CLEANER

Grimey oven doors are the worst, right? Use this mixture and be amazed at how easy and effortless it is to get your oven spick and span.

  • 3 tbsp baking soda
  • 1.5 tbsp water
  • Vinegar

Mix the baking soda and water into a thick paste. Apply it to the oven door and allow it to sit for at least 20-minutes. Wipe away with a cloth. Spray with vinegar (or pour some on a rag) and wipe the rest of the grit away with circular motions.

Double this recipe to also clean the bottom of your oven. Wipe away any loose debris before adding the paste. Get excited about the sparkling, just-like-new oven you're about to have!


HOMEMADE DRAIN CLEANER

spoon with baking soda, from Fun Cheap or Free

A clogged pipe is nothing to mess around with, but those store-bought cleaners smell so strongly, you know that can't be good to be around! Start making your own and never worry about those fumes again. Plus, it's much cheaper to make.

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1/4 cup salt
  • 1 cup vinegar (heated)

Mix the baking soda and salt; pour down the drain. Pour the heated vinegar down the drain and immediately cover it with a plug. The baking soda and vinegar will foam and bubble, so covering it will keep it contained to do its work in the drain. Allow it to sit for 15-minutes, then flush with hot tap water or boiling water for 30- to 60-seconds.


HOMEMADE WINDOW AND GLASS CLEANER

Between shower doors, mirrors, glass doors, and outside windows, there are a lot of surfaces that need our love on a regular basis. Start making your own homemade cleaner and be amazed at how clear, shiny, and streak-free your surfaces can be!

  • Empty spray bottle
  • 1 cup 70% rubbing alcohol
  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 3 drops liquid dish soap

Combine everything in a spray bottle and gently shake to combine. You'll be amazed at how this homemade window and glass cleaner works!

Note: Dish soap helps remove grime, but a little goes a loooong way! Use three drops, max. If you're pre-scrubbing your shower doors or outside windows, feel free to omit the dish soap from the recipe.


HOMEMADE BATHROOM/SHOWER CLEANER

hand cleaning a sink, from Fun Cheap or Free

Oh, man. Talk about one of the grodiest (yes, we just used that word) places in the house. Luckily, these homemade cleaners will do the trick in a snap!

  • 2 cups warm water
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons liquid dish soap

Combine water and baking soda in a spray bottle and shake. Add in dish soap and swirl to combine. Use on toilets, bathtubs, bath tile, and sinks. Allow the cleaner to sit for a minute, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.


HOMEMADE TOILET BOWL CLEANER BOMBS

If we could never clean one thing again, it would definitely be the toilet bowl! Luckily, these toilet bowl cleaner bombs make it fun and easy to do. Plus, the kids find it so fun when you plop one in that they happily do it for you! #Winning

  • 2 cups baking soda
  • 1/3 cup citric acid
  • 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide
  • Silicone ice cube tray

Stir baking soda and citric acid in a bowl. Slowly add in hydrogen peroxide. Mix until it's a thick and crumbly paste. Add the mixture to the ice cube tray and push it down with the back of a spoon to make sure it's compacted. Allow the cubes to dry for at least 24 hours or until they're fully dry and hard. Putting them outside in the sun helps the process go quicker! Store the toilet bowl cleaner bombs in a glass jar with a lid.

Use one per toilet for a quick clean. Allow it to fizz and work for a few minutes, then give the toilet a good scrub with a brush.


TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HOUSE CLEAN WITH HOMEMADE CLEANERS

Alright, you've made your homemade cleaners, now how are you going to fit all of this cleaning into one day? Luckily, you don't have to! We've got some great tips for you to stay on top of it all without feeling like all you've done in your life is clean your house.

  • Deep clean your house with one task per day! It won't take you that long and you'll be able to easily keep your house clean. Use our free printable to stay on track.
  • Use our four simple tips to keep your home clean all year long.

Whew, well there you have it! Ten easy homemade cleaners that will help you keep your house spick and span, all while saving some money. What's your favorite homemade cleaner recipe? Let us know in the comments!

image with text that reads "10 budget friendly homemade cleaners" from Fun Cheap or Free

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Happy cleaning!

1 Comment

  1. Amy Doucette

    The link doesn’t work to the other blog and recipes. 🙁 searching the blog I didn’t find the recipe either—just food.

    Reply

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