Tuesday, July 1, 2025

🧼 Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner at Home (Save Big, Clean Smarter!)

Looking for a cheap, safe, and effective way to clean your home without relying on expensive store-bought products? You’re not alone. Whether you're a frugal living enthusiast, a DIY cleaning pro, or just someone tired of paying $5+ per bottle for name-brand sprays, learning how to make your own all-purpose cleaner at home is one of the easiest and most rewarding swaps you can make.


This simple recipe will become your go-to for kitchens, bathrooms, windows, and more — and it costs just pennies per bottle.

Why Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner?

From a frugal living standpoint, store-bought cleaners are one of those sneaky budget killers. A single trip down the cleaning aisle could leave you with three or four bottles priced at $4–$7 each. But here's the truth: you don’t need all that.

By switching to a homemade all-purpose cleaner, you're not only saving money — you're also reducing plastic waste, avoiding harsh chemicals, and simplifying your life.

And the best part? It takes less than 2 minutes to make.


✨ What You’ll Need (Just 3 Simple Ingredients!)

Ingredients:

  • 1 part white vinegar – natural degreaser and disinfectant

  • 1 part water – helps dilute and stretch your vinegar

  • 1 small squirt dish soap - helps to cut grease, oils, or sticky messes

  • 10–20 drops essential oil (optional) – lemon, lavender, or tea tree for scent and extra antibacterial boost

Supplies:

  • A clean, empty spray bottle (reuse one if you can!)

  • A funnel (optional, but makes pouring easier)


🧪 Step-by-Step: How to Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner at Home

  1. Add 1 part of vinegar to the spray bottle.
    Frugal Tip: Buy vinegar in gallon jugs at dollar stores or wholesale clubs for under $3.

  2. Add 1 part of water.
    Frugal Tip: Use distilled water if storing for long periods, but tap water is fine for everyday use.

  3. Add dish soap.
    Frugal Tip: Dish soap is a non-abrastive detergent and expands the use to cover nearly any type of solid surface.

  4. Add essential oils (optional).
    Lemon = clean, citrusy smell. Tea tree = great for mold and mildew.
    Frugal Tip: If you don’t have oils, toss in a handful of citrus peels and let it infuse for a few days.

  5. Shake gently before each use.
    Frugal Tip: Label your bottle with the recipe and date so you never forget what’s inside.


🏠 Best Places to Use This Homemade Cleaner

This easy vinegar-based cleaner for daily use can be used almost anywhere around the house. Here’s where it shines:

  • Kitchen counters & stovetops

  • Bathroom sinks & tubs

  • Microwaves, fridges, and appliance fronts

  • Glass and mirrors (wipe with a microfiber cloth)

  • Doorknobs, remotes, and high-touch areas

  • Trash cans and pet areas

⚠️ Avoid on stone surfaces like granite or marble – vinegar can damage natural stone over time.


💰 How Much Can You Save?

Let’s break it down.

Cost of homemade cleaner per 16 oz bottle:

  • Vinegar (1 cup): ~$0.10

  • Water: Free

  • Essential oil: ~$0.10 (optional)

  • Bottle: Reused

TOTAL: $0.10–$0.25 per bottle
🆚
Store-bought cleaners: $3.50–$6.00+ each

Potential savings:
Use one bottle a week? That’s $180–$300/year saved just from switching this one product!


💡 Bonus Frugal Living Tips for DIY Cleaning

✅ Reuse Spray Bottles

Instead of buying new ones, clean out old glass cleaner or disinfectant bottles. Rinse thoroughly.

✅ Infuse Vinegar with Citrus

Save lemon, orange, or grapefruit peels in a jar of vinegar for 1–2 weeks. Strain, then use in your recipe for a natural scent.

✅ Mix in Small Batches

Make 16 oz at a time for freshness. Larger batches may lose potency or scent if stored too long.

✅ Customize the Scent

Use different essential oils for seasonal scents: peppermint in winter, citrus in summer.


🧽 Real-World Use Case

Before:
Ashley, a mom of three from Ohio, was spending nearly $25/month on brand-name kitchen and bathroom sprays — and worried about what her toddler was breathing in.

After:
She switched to this homemade cleaner and now spends less than $1/month on cleaning solution. Her home smells great, and she’s at peace knowing what’s in her products.


💬 Final Thoughts: You Don't Need to Spend a Fortune to Keep a Clean Home

This frugal living DIY cleaning spray proves that you can have a sparkling home without buying a dozen products or exposing your family to harsh chemicals. It’s cheap, it works, and once you try it — you won’t go back.

👉 Ready to ditch overpriced cleaners?

Try this homemade recipe today! Share your favorite scent combos in the comments or pin this post to your DIY cleaning board on Pinterest!


📌 Don’t Forget to Save It for Later:

Pin this post on Pinterest →Best Homemade Cleaner for Kitchens and Bathrooms


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