9 Super Easy Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes You Can Make at Home

Despite what the ingredient labels in the cleaning aisle may lead you to believe, harsh chemicals are not necessary to get your surfaces squeaky-clean.

Conventional cleaning products often contain harsh and potentially unsafe chemicals, including allergens, endocrine disruptors, and more.

But the good news is that homemade cleaning products are simple and accessible. Making your own cleaners is easier than you may think. (Plus, it’s cheap!)

Lots of natural homemade cleaners are easily created using common household items that you may already have in your cabinet (think: vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap).

So today, I’m sharing 9 natural cleaning products that you can make in the comfort of your own home, from all-purpose cleaners to dish soap and more. All of the DIY recipes below are made using natural ingredients (that you can actually pronounce!).

This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn commission if you decide to make a purchase.

---

Do Non-Toxic Cleaning Products Work?

Yes! Not only are non-toxic cleaning solutions effective, but they’re often inexpensive and can serve multiple purposes. Baking soda and vinegar, for example, are widely recognized for their cleaning abilities—and have been for centuries!

Whether you decide to purchase from a non-toxic brand (I’ve listed some of our favorites below!) or make your own natural all-purpose cleaner, natural products have the power to effectively remove tough stains like dirt, grease, and grime to keep your home clean and healthy at the same time.

How to Make DIY Natural Cleaning Products

Here are some super easy natural cleaning recipes for homemade cleaning solutions that can easily be recreated from the comfort of your own home: 

1. All-Purpose Cleaner (2 Ways)

For a DIY all-purpose cleaner, simply choose whether you’d like to use white vinegar or baking soda.

Combine:

• Either equal parts white vinegar and hot water
• OR 1 tablespoon of baking soda per 1 cup of hot water

Put both of the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake gently to mix.

Either of these super-simple solutions can be used on multiple surfaces to wipe away dirt, grease, soap scum, or any other impurities. The vinegar in this all-purpose cleaner makes it strong enough to wipe away mineral deposits, grease, and soap scum. (Just don’t use acidic cleaners on granite surfaces, as the vinegar will be too harsh.)

To customize your DIY all-purpose cleaner, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils, tea tree oil, or any other scent enhancer that you like to the spray bottle.

2. Glass Cleaner 

For this one, mix:

• 3 tbsp of white vinegar
• with 1 quart of distilled water

Put them both into into a spray bottle. Increase the ratio of vinegar and water to 1:1 for a more heavy-duty solution.

Add lemon essential oil (or any other scent) into the spray bottle if you choose. Mix and spray the glass cleaner onto windows, mirrors, or any other glass surfaces.

Many DIY recipes also call for a few tablespoons of rubbing alcohol to help the solution dry more quickly. However, rubbing alcohol can be very irritating for some people, so omitting it will keep the solution a bit more gentle.

3. Toilet Cleaner

Combine these ingredients into a spray bottle or squeeze bottle:

• 1 cup of water
• 1/8 cup of baking soda
• 1/4 cup castile soap, like Dr. Bronner’s (alternatively, you can use non-toxic dishwashing liquid)
• Optional: you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils if you want

Spray or squeeze the solution into the toilet bowl and allow the solution to sit for a few minutes. Scrub the basin with a brush and rinse. 

Shake before each use.

Find more toilet bowl cleaners here.

4. Garbage Disposal Cleaner 

To quickly freshen up your garbage disposal, just grind ice with orange, lime, or lemon peels. It’s so simple!

5. Refrigerator Cleaner

For this one, mix:

• 2 tbsp of baking soda
• with 1 quart of warm water

Combine them into a spray bottle. Use this natural cleaner to wipe down your refrigerator with a cloth. You can let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping to help break down any crusties!

Add a bit of essential oil to the spray bottle if you’d like a natural scent.

For tough spots, increase the ratio of baking soda to water to create a scrubbing paste rather than a spray. 

6. Stainless Steel Cleaner

To clean your stainless steel appliances, combine:

• 2 tbsp of baking soda
• with 1 quart of distilled water

Again, combine them both into in a spray bottle and use the solution to wipe your stainless steel appliances clean.  

7. Wood Cleaner 

Mix:

• 2 Tbsp of olive oil
• 2 Tbsp of white vinegar
• ¼ cup of lemon juice.

Using a soft cloth, rub the solution into the wood, going in the direction of the grain. No need to rinse off!

8. Brass Cleaner

In this brass cleaner recipe, all you need is:

• a sponge
• a microfiber cloth
• salt
• and a small amount of either white vinegar or lemon juice.

Add lemon juice or vinegar to a sponge until saturated, sprinkle with salt, and gently rub brass surfaces. Wash away the homemade cleaner with water or a damp cloth, and use a dry cloth to wipe the fixture clean.

9. Castile Soap 

While this isn’t technically DIY, this multipurpose cleaning solution can be used to clean practically any corner of your home.

Castile soap is a natural soap that can be diluted in water and used as an all-purpose spray or stain remover as well as for laundry, dishes, floors, windows, toilets, or a kitchen cleaner. (It can also be used for personal care for hand and body soap… So many uses!)

As for brands, Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap is a fabulous option. It’s gentler than other store-bought cleaners and can be used as a DIY natural all-purpose cleaner. Their scented options are natural, using essential oil for their fragrance. Despite its non-toxic nature, this natural soap packs some serious cleaning power. Castile soap is not only a great cleaning solution, but it’s very cost-effective because of how many ways it can be used.

Plus, it’s easy to find at big box stores like Target and Walmart.

DIY cleaners are an amazing way to save money while having complete ingredient transparency in your everyday household cleaners. With simple ingredients and a few minutes, effective homemade cleaners are easy to create and customize to get your home sparkling clean (without the toxins of your typical commercial cleaner).

---

Want to Use Pre-Made Non-Toxic Cleaning Products?

So, what if you decide you want to buy your own pre-made cleaning products instead? Here are some cleaning brands that don’t include harmful or toxic ingredients in their formulas: 

Branch Basics

Branch Basics sells a multipurpose concentrate that can be used for nearly any surface you want to be cleaned: tiles, showers, countertops, dishes, stains, glass, hands, pets, and laundry. It can even be used for baths! The all-purpose concentrate is formulated without any harmful ingredients and is plant and mineral-based, non-GMO, and biodegradable. 

You can check out Abbie’s full review of Branch Basics right here, and you can use the code THEFILTERY for 15% off starter kits.

---

Meliora 

These safe cleaning products are made with non-toxic ingredients and scented with essential oils. All of their formulas are cruelty-free and healthy for a sparkling finish without any of the bad stuff. Plus, their packaging is super low-waste.

You can use the code THEFILTERY10 for 10% off.

Check out our full breakdown & review on Meliora.

---

Force of Nature

If you need a disinfectant, Force of Nature is a safe, EPA-registered sanitizer and cleaner that uses hypochlorous acid as its star ingredient. This is another one that you can use on all kinds of surfaces. You can even spray it onto fabrics and furniture as a safe odor-eliminator.

Check out Abbie’s full review and use the code THEFILTERY30 for 30% off kits.

---

Attitude

A great place to get everything all in one place, this company sells a wide range of products for personal care, kids and babies, cleaning products, and everything in between.

Most (though not all) of Attitude’s products are EWG Verified. They’re also mostly vegan, cruelty-free, naturally sourced, and dermatologically tested. They have a wide variety of worry-free cleaning products to choose from for kitchens, bathrooms, general surfaces, and more. 

---

Common Cleaning Product Ingredients to Avoid 

Now, if you want to learn more about why I recommend avoiding most conventional cleaning products, here are some of the potentially problematic ingredients that are commonly used but not-so-healthy:

Ammonia

Widely recognized for its ability to produce a streak-free shine, this commonly used cleaning agent is harsh on the respiratory tract and has been linked to chronic lung disease. 

Chlorine Bleach

Bleach is common of course, but it’s an air pollutant that’s toxic to the respiratory system. Chlorine often contains dioxin, which has been linked to negative effects on the immune, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems. 

Fragrance

“Fragrance” (or parfum) can be found in lots of common household products, from skincare to laundry detergent. This ingredient can contain health-threatening chemicals that are linked to cancer, fertility issues, and other health concerns.

Since the contents of “fragrance” aren’t required to be disclosed, it’s important to opt for brands that are either fragrance-free or that provide transparency in their ingredient list and use natural scents like essential oils instead.

Isothiazolinone Preservatives

Preservatives like MIT and BIT can be irritating to skin. These ones are sneaky because they’re used in a lot of the “big green” cleaning brands, like Mrs. Meyer’s, Seventh Generation, Method, and Everspring.

Parabens

Parabens (which can be spotted on ingredient labels such as methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, and butylparaben) are common preservatives found in all-purpose cleaner and other cleaning products.

These endocrine disruptors have been linked to diminished ovarian reserve, depression, abnormal fetal development, and breast cancer and tumors.

Phthalates

These sneaky endocrine disruptors are often listed under the “fragrance” umbrella, so you won’t find them listed on labels. They’re linked to fertility issues, pregnancy complications, childhood developmental issues, and breast cancer. 

Polyethylene Glycols, or PEGS 

PEGs utilize 1,4 dioxane and ethylene oxide in production. The final product can be contaminated by both of these chemicals, which are carcinogenic. Additionally, ethylene oxide is a potential endocrine disruptor.

Sulfates

Known for its sudsy properties, sulfates like SLS and SLES are often used in various soap products. SLS can be irritating on the skin, especially for those who have eczema or are otherwise sensitive.

SLES is easier on the skin, but like PEGs, it can be contaminated by 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide.

---

I hope this guide has helped give you some ideas for how you can make your own homemade all purpose cleaner! It’s easy to keep your home clean with just a few easy ingredients that you probably already have at home! No need for all of the complicated and questionable ingredients found in conventional cleaners.