12 Homemade Cleaners That Work!

Not only are these Homemade Cleaners crazy simple to make… they’ll also save you SO much money! Seriously, when it comes to cleaning recipes, these DIY solutions are such a game changer!

If you’re on the hunt for some clever homemade cleaners and DIY homemade bathroom cleaners I’ve got you covered!

Not only are homemade cleaning products recipes healthier to use, they’re also one of my favorite ways to save money fast!

The savings you’ll experience once you start making homemade cleaners is truly mind blowing!

I couldn’t believe how I was able to cut my household expenses so drastically and so FAST, just by mixing up some simple solutions.

Not only are these cleaning recipes a more natural version of your store-bought favorites, they often work so much better! Talk about a win-win, right?

So whether you’re looking to stock your bathroom cabinet on a dime, or just want to make some effective, mostly natural cleaning recipes… THESE are the cleaning recipes for you!

How to Speed Clean Your Home

Now before we get to the homemade cleaners, check out this simple speed cleaning schedule!

Set your timer, stay focused, and check out my 30-minute quick cleanup plan here…

• 2 Minutes: Start a Load of Laundry
• 5 minutes: Dust off Window Blinds
• 5 minutes: Swish & Clean Toilets
• 8 minutes: Swish Sinks, Wipe Down Countertops & Clean Mirrors
• 10 minutes: Mop Floors

Who knew you could get so much done so fast?!? And don’t forget to turn on the tunes while you clean. I’ve found that cleaning to my favorite playlist helps the time fly by!

Popular Homemade Cleaners

Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder

Slash the price of your laundry detergent when you make this Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder Recipe at home! It’s so simple to make and cleans like a champ!

Carie writes: “I’ve been making this for years… it’s easy – everyone should. The savings is crazy!”

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe

Or, make your own Liquid Laundry Detergent for pennies! I have been personally using this recipe for over 10 years!

Misty writes: “I wish I had discovered and known about this many years ago!! I could have saved so much money!!”

How to Clean Your Diamond Ring at Home
(Tip From a Jeweler)

Are you ready for your ring to sparkle like the first day you got it? You won’t believe how gorgeous your ring will look after you try this easy trick!

This simple little trick comes straight from my Jeweler, and works like a charm!

Suzana writes: “That’s a GREAT trick! My jeweler told me to do that, too.”

Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe

The recipe was shared by a fellow Frugal Girls reader who owns her own cleaning company, and it has been an absolute game changer. I’ve been using it for years! It works like a charm and saves SO much money!

In addition to windows and mirrors, it’s one of the best homemade cleaners for showers and glass shower doors, too!

Rebecca writes: “This is such an amazing solution! It works so well.”

DIY Dawn Powerwash Recipe Refill Hack

The name brand spray can be a little pricey… but you can mix up your own spray bottle filled with Dawn Powerwash for pennies!

Ryan writes: “This stuff is awesome and works great.”

How To Make Foaming Dish Soap

This foaming dish soap hack is seriously one of the easiest ways to save money on dish soap.

Seriously! I’ve had this on repeat in my kitchen for years, and it saves a ridiculous amount of money!

Teresa writes: “I have done this for years… I buy Dawn by the gallon at Costco, then the foaming dish soap is super cheap that way!!”

DIY Carpet Powder Freshener

This is my favorite trick to freshen carpets, can be made in less than a minute, and you can even add a pretty scent of your choice!

Supplies Needed:

• Regular Mouth Mason Jar
• Parmesan Cheese Shaker Top
• 1 1/2 cups Baking Soda (Bicarb Soda)
• 45 drops of Essential Oils (your favorite scent) ~ I like to use Lavender or Peppermint. 

Instructions:

1. In small mixing bowl, stir together baking soda and essential oil drops until well combined.

2. Transfer to your regular-mouth mason jar, and affix an old parmesan shaker lid on top.

3. Prior to vacuuming, simply shake baking soda on your carpet, let it sit for 10 minutes, then vacuum it up.

Kat writes: “I love the fresh scent on my carpets. The parmesan lid is perfect! Thanks for the tip!”

DIY Foaming Hand Soap Recipe

This simple homemade cleaners trick alone will save you so much money, and make your soap last SO much longer!

Angie writes: “I’ve been doing this for years and have saved so much money, we love it.”

Instructions:

1. Fill empty foaming soap bottle with approx. 1 inch of clear-based liquid hand soap. (not the creamy kind). Optional: Add in several drops of your favorite Essential Oil to give it a nice, light scent.

2. Slowly fill the rest of the bottle with tap water.

3. Put lid back on, and gently tip upside down & side to side to mix and shake gently if needed. 

Homemade Fabric Softener Recipe

You won’t believe how much money you can save by simply making your own fabric softener at home. Plus, I love how well this fabric softener works on my clothes!

Becky writes: “Made it, used it, LOVED it, made it again! The vinegar smell goes away once the clothes are dried. Love saving money, and love that our clothes don’t have an overpowering smell to them.”

Ingredients:

• 6 cups HOT water
• 3 cups White Vinegar
• 1.5 cups Hair Conditioner (my favorite is Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle, but you could also try your favorite scent of Suave)

Instructions:

1. Mix conditioner & hot water well, until conditioner is dissolved completely. A whisk works well to get the job done.

2. Add the vinegar, and mix well.

3. Store in a large container (empty fabric softener container, etc.)

4. When running non-bleach loads, use 1 – 2 tbsp. per load in the fabric softener spot in your laundry machine, then wash as normal! Just remember to NEVER use vinegar and bleach together.

5. If washing towels, wash on warm or hot water and make sure to dry completely to keep the stink away.

Homemade 409 Cleaner Recipe

I love knowing exactly what is going into the cleaners I use in my home, don’t you? This copycat 409 cleans so good, and takes just a few simple ingredients!

Beth writes: “Thanks so much for sharing this! I mixed our first container full and “Love It”! Works great and smells clean too!”

Richard writes: “Thank You. This solution definitely works. I’ve been using it for several years and it’s my go to general purpose cleaner.”

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. Distilled White Vinegar
• 1 Tsp. Borax Powder
• 1/8 cup Dawn Dishsoap
• 1 cup Hot Water
• 16 oz. Triggered Spray Bottle
• Optional: 8 drops Orange Essential Oil

Instructions:

1. Pour vinegar, borax and hot water into spray bottle.

2. Continue filling spray bottle with cool water.

3. Add Dawn Dish soap last, and gently tilt bottle back and forth to mix in. (no need to shake) Optional: Add in 8 drops of Orange Essential Oil for a light citrus scent.

Homemade Granite Cleaner Recipe

Save money on that overpriced store-bought granite cleaner when you use this frugal Homemade Granite Cleaner instead!

Cristina writes: “Thank you! I made the Granite Cleaner. It works fantastic! So glad to save money, too!”

Daily Granite Cleaner Spray:

Here’s what you’ll need to make your daily granite cleaning spray…

• 1/2 cup Warm Water (Tap water if you’ll be using it up quickly, or distilled water if you’ll be storing it for longer periods of time)
• 5 drops Blue Dawn Dish Soap
• Optional: 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil (or more for a stronger scent)
• Add all ingredients to a spray bottle, stir and shake to combine, and you’re done!

Deep Clean Granite Spray:

Here’s what you’ll need to make your deep cleaning granite spray…

• 1/4 cup Warm Water (Tap water if you’ll be using it up quickly, or distilled water if you’ll be storing it for longer periods of time)
• 1/4 cup 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
• Optional: 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil (or more for a stronger scent)
• Add all ingredients to a spray bottle, give it a little shake, and you’re ready to clean!

How to Use:

1. Spray on granite and use a microfiber cloth to wipe your counters down.

2. Then, with a second clean and dry microfiber cloth, wipe counters down again to buff, shine, and ensure no cleaning residue is left behind. That’s it… so EASY!

Homemade Dog Shampoo

Homemade dog shampoo is so easy to make, and you only need 3 ingredients!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Warm Water
• 1/4 cup White Vinegar
• 1/4 cup Blue Dawn Dish Soap

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a small jar, attach lid, and shake well to combine.

2. Store shampoo in jar, or transfer to an empty shampoo container or squirt bottle.

DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipe

Make sure you know exactly what you’re putting on your hands when you use this DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipe instead of those store bought hand sanitizers! It’s so easy to make, and you’ll love having some on hand!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup Rubbing Alcohol (91% Isopropyl Alcohol or higher)
• 2 1/2 tbsp. Aloe Vera Gel (98% or higher)
• 10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
• 25 drops Lavender Essential Oil (or more for a stronger scent)

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a small mixing bowl.

2. Then whisk together thoroughly for about 1 minute, or until all ingredients have been well combined.

3. Immediately transfer your DIY hand sanitizer to empty containers (old cleaned out hand sanitizer containers, or travel sized liquid containers), and you’re done! Shake well before each use.

What are your favorite Homemade Cleaners that you use?

Leave a comment & share!