DIY All-Purpose Cleaner
Cleaners and Allergies, Oh My!
I’ve got a different kind of recipe for you today, but it’s one I make every week! It’s for homemade all purpose cleaner.
People make their own cleaners for a variety of reasons. Maybe it’s to cut down on waste for a cleaner environment. It could be for the cost savings. Some people choose to do it to help eliminate chemicals in their home.
My why? All of the above, plus allergies. Many people don’t think to check their cleaning products or health and beauty products for allergens, but they hide everywhere! By making my own, I have control over exactly what goes in it.
For a long time, I was intimidated by making my own products so I was buying expensive, organic cleaners that were more transparent in their ingredients. When I finally made the jump, I was kicking myself for not starting sooner! This recipe is super easy and utilizes castile soap.
Castile soap does contain coconut oil, but is free-from the rest of the top 9 ingredients. My go to brand is Dr. Bronner’s and I prefer to get the unscented because I’m very sensitive to scents. By going this route, I can use essential oils to customize the smell and also ensure I’m not rubbing oils from any of our allergens all over surfaces I’m trying to clean.
The recipe isn’t unique. I actually got it from a download ages ago right from the Dr. Bronner’s website. But I’ll share it with you today along with the scents that I use.
Ingredients:
2 cups water
2 TBS pure-castile soap
5-10 drops essential oils
Easy, right? Simply fill your bottle, I like to use these glass bottles, with the water. You want to make sure to do the water first or you’re going to have a soap explosion.
Then add in the soap, and your drops of oil.
My go to oils are from doTerra. I know there are a lot of companies out there, but remember, allergy family! I have talked to high level people within the company who have been able to assure me of the processes they use and I’m confident that I can select single oil products with little risk.
While I lemon oil is lovely and you can absolutely choose to use it, I prefer to do a combo of melaleuca oil and peppermint most of the time. Citrus scents are my favorite, but they are not friendly for my granite counter tops. Since I don’t want to risk mixing up my bottles by having various scents, that’s usually what I choose.
Melaleuca has antifungal and antibacterial properties you want in an all-purpose cleaner. The peppermint just smells good!
If you don’t mind the smell, thyme is another great oil to use to increase the effectiveness of the spray.
That’s really all there is to it! Swirl it around, don’t shake it (it’s soap and water, after all) and you’re ready to go!
Do you make your own cleaners? Let me know if them comments your favorites!
