Homemade Natural All Purpose Cleaner – Fast, Frugal & Effective

There’s something so satisfying about a homemade natural all-purpose cleaner that actually works—especially one you can whip up in less than a minute. I stopped using store-bought products close to eight years ago and have never looked back.

There have been several recipes I’ve cycled through over the years, but once I started using the recipe I’m sharing today, I haven’t strayed much since. It’s my go-to, no matter the mess.

This homemade all-purpose cleaner is easy, affordable, eco-friendly, pet-safe, and incredibly effective. In this post, I’ll walk you through the ingredients and how to mix them so you can start cleaning with a truly “clean” disinfecting spray today.

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Why I Made the Switch to Homemade Natural All Purpose Cleaner

My journey to a “clean” home wasn’t just about keeping things tidy—it was about reducing the long-term effects that harsh chemicals can have on our bodies. I wanted to feel good about the work I was doing, so I switched to a non-toxic household cleaner.

The first cleaner I used was from WellnessMama (a fantastic resource for all things homemade). I loved that I could make my own, very effective cleaner for less than what I was spending at the grocery store.

This change aligned with my goals to save money and create a safer environment for my family. I was so grateful that I could use a cleaner that wouldn’t harm my children, pets, or myself. All the boxes I needed were checked.

*I may receive a small commission for items linked on this page/post

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Natural All Purpose Cleaner Recipe – What’s in It & Why It Works

While I started with a recipe from Katie Wells of WellnessMama, I eventually developed my own that works on everything—from kitchen spills and dog messes to ink stains on fabric. You’ll love it for both everyday tidying and deep cleaning. (Check out this post on deep cleaning!)

What’s In It?

• Rubbing Alcohol (1 oz): Disinfects and evaporates quickly
• Liquid Castile Soap (1 tsp): Lifts dirt and grime without harsh residue
• Oregano Oil (20 drops): Powerful antimicrobial
• Lemon Oil (20 drops): Disinfects and smells amazing (feel free to substitute)
• Tap Water* (14 oz): Fills the bottle and helps dilute and spread

*If you’re in an area with low-quality tap water or want a longer shelf life, you can boil it first and let it cool. I don’t, and I’ve never had an issue.

Equipment Needed

• Brown glass spray bottle (best for essential oils)
• Spray nozzle
• Funnel

These powerful ingredients combine to give you a cleaner that works on almost any surface. Even without the essential oils, this base recipe is still highly effective.

I like to include essential oils for the added benefits and pleasant scent. You can substitute lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, or whatever oils your family loves.

My husband grew up on Pine-Sol, so anything that smells similar automatically feels more effective to him.

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How to Make Homemade Natural All Purpose Cleaner

This recipe is refreshingly straightforward—another reason I love it. If it were too scientific or complicated, I’d never use it.

Here’s how to make your own easy DIY cleaning spray:

1. Gather your ingredients and equipment.
2. Use a funnel to add the rubbing alcohol, Castile soap, and essential oils to your spray bottle.
3. Add water, leaving about 1–2 inches of space at the top to allow the spray nozzle to fit without overflowing.
4. Shake well before each use. That’s it!

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How to Use Your Homemade Natural All Purpose Cleaner

We keep three bottles of this cleaner around the house:

• One in the kitchen for wiping cabinets, countertops, the stovetop, and the sink
• One in the laundry room for our weekly cleaning day
• One in the upstairs bathroom for the kids to use on their own messes

Because it’s non-toxic, I can trust my children won’t be harmed when using it. That means more freedom and responsibility for them—a big win.

It’s also a go-to in our schoolroom, especially on the art and craft table. It removes paint, glue, and pencil marks with ease.

I add this same mixture (in a larger water ratio) to our mop bucket once a week for our hardwood floors. I’ve used it for about two years now and feel confident it hasn’t harmed the finish.

It also works well for spot cleaning carpet and upholstered furniture*. I’ve used it to remove marker and ink stains with great success. In most cases, it’s like the mess never happened.

*Always do a test spot on any surface you’re unsure about, preferably in a hidden area.

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Budget Cleaning Solution

Not only is this recipe so easy to make, it’s incredibly inexpensive. It costs about 15 cents per bottle with the brands I use. You heard me—15 cents!

Most store-bought cleaners cost 10–20x that and you often need multiple bottles for different cleaning tasks.

This homemade all-purpose cleaner really lives up to its name: it works everywhere and saves you money.

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Questions & Answers

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve experimented with other variations, but this one’s the winner.

This truly is the cleaner I rely on every day—and I think it just might become your new favorite too. I’d love to hear if you try this recipe! Do you have a go-to natural cleaner or favorite essential oil combo? Leave a comment or tag me on Instagram with your homemade cleaner setup!

🎁 Bonus! I’ve included 3 free printable labels so you can dress up your bottle in your style. Grab it here!

Notes: If using boiled water, boil the water for 10 minutes and allow to cool completely before adding to the bottle. This will ensure that your bottle will not break due to heat, as well as maintaining the effectiveness of your essential oils.