DIY (Almost) All-Purpose Cleaning Solution

This is my go-to, reach-for cleaner for almost any kind of grime almost anywhere in my house. It especially shines in those spots where nasty hand-grime builds up, like around cabinet door handles, around light switches, and the inside handle of your car door. Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about… you know you do. It’s also great for kitchen and bathroom counters, sinks, bath tubs, sticky spills, tile floors… I could go on.  The best thing about this cleaner? The ingredients are probably already in your kitchen! It’s a great, non-toxic alternative to conventional cleaning sprays which are often laden with chemicals.

Now, there are a few places where you DON’T want to use this cleaner. That would include windows and mirrors, because it has some baking soda as a mild abrasive and it ends up streaking those types of surfaces. You also don’t want to use this on your marble or granite counter tops, because it contains vinegar and will dull the shine over time… or very quickly, if you let it sit. I also learned (the hard way) you don’t want to use this on your sealed, finished concrete floor or counter tops, for the same reason as the marble/granite.

Ingredients:

Essential oils, as desired

A very large mixing bowl

1. You’ll probably want to use the largest mixing bowl you have. A large stock pot would also work. In your large container, mix the vinegar and the baking soda. Remember making volcanoes in the kitchen as a kid? Yep, same thing. It’s going to get very fizzy very quickly, and the fizz will keep growing after you stop pouring vinegar – so pour slowly and carefully.

2. After the fizz has died and you’ve stirred the vinegar and baking soda well, add the squirts of lemon juice and dish soap. I like to use a trusted, chemical-free brand of soap – in this case, 7th Generation.
3. Add essential oils as desired. Lemon, tea tree, oregano, rosemary, and eucalyptus all have good qualities for cleaning and add a fresh, clean scent.
4. Pour your mixture into a clean spray bottle. This will probably make enough for some extra, which I put into a mason jar for refilling.
5. Shake before using.