12 Easy DIY Cleaner Recipes - Dollar Store Crafts

Who likes to save money AND know what is inside the cleaning supplies they use around the house? YOU DO! In this article, I have twelve DIY household cleaning recipes that are made from stuff you already have on hand (plus one or two special ingredients). You can get the plastic spray bottles, brushes, rags, and gloves at the dollar store! Between shopping at the dollar store and making your own cleaning supplies, just think how much money you are going to save!

You don’t have to use toxic chemicals to get your home clean; mix up your own cleaners using some common household items (plus a few powerful specialty items). Making your own cleaning supplies is fun, and gives you peace of mind because you know what you are spraying, sprinkling, and using all around your house to get it squeaky clean.

Note: When mixing cleaning supplies, always label the container with the name of the cleaner and a list of ingredients. So keep your Sharpie handy!

Here are twelve easy recipes to help you clean every area in your home:

Recipes you will find in this article:

  1. DIY All Purpose Cleaner
  2. DIY Mild Oxygen Laundry Stain Remover
  3. DIY Oxygen Stain Remover Laundry Booster
  4. Pre-Wash Laundry Stain Treatment
  5. DIY Glass and Window Deep Cleaner
  6. DIY Shower Cleaner
  7. DIY Grout Cleaner
  8. Bathroom Mildew Stain Remover
  9. Rust, Lime, Hard Water Stain & Calcium Remover
  10. Food-Safe Dishwaher De-Scaler
  11. Wood Floor Cleaner
  12. Super Wood Floor Cleaner

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1. DIY All Purpose Cleaner Recipe

Get just about any surface in your home clean with this DIY All Purpose Cleaner recipe.

Ingredients Needed:

  • 1 Tbsp. vinegar
  • Generous squirt dish soap
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 quart warm water
  • Spray bottle

Mix ingredients together in a bucket, then decant to a spray bottle. Don’t forget to label the bottle.

2. DIY Mild Oxygen Laundry Stain Remover Recipe

This homemade mild oxygen stain remover works well on organic stains and is mild on clothing, for those with sensitive skin.

Ingredients Needed:

  • 1 part Hydrogen Peroxide
  • 1 part Baking Soda
  • 1 part Dish Soap (Dawn)

Mix a small amount in a cup. Apply to stain, wait 15 minutes, then launder.
After washing, check stained area before you put it in the dryer to make sure it’s completely gone. If some of the stain remains, repeat the treatment.

NOTE: Mix up a new batch each time you need it, as it is only effective for up to six hours. Discard remaining amount in your laundry load.

3. DIY Oxygen Stain Remover Laundry Booster Recipe

This DIY oxygen stain remover works well on organic stains such as food and drink.

Ingredients Needed:

  • 1/2 cup Washing Soda
  • 1/2 cup Hydrogen Peroxide

You don’t even need to mix these. Simply add the above to a load of laundry to boost cleaning power and help whiten whites.

4. Pre-Wash Laundry Stain Treatment Recipe

Keep this mixture of homemade Laundry Pre-Wash Stain Treatment in a spray bottle at your laundry station and spray it onto any stains before you toss clothing into the washer.

Ingredients Needed:   

  • 1/2 c. rubbing alcohol
  • 1/2 c. hydrogen peroxide
  • 1/4 c. Dawn dishwashing liquid
  • 1/4 c. water
  • Spray bottle

Mix ingredients together in a spray bottle and apply to laundry stains before washing.

5. DIY Glass and Window Deep Cleaner Recipe

Don’t do windows? You won’t mind washing windows when you try this powerful and effective DIY Window Cleaner recipe.

Ingredients Needed:

  • 2 cups water
  • Squirt of dish soap
  • 2 Tbsp. vinegar

Mix ingredients together in a wide-mouth container (a recycled cottage cheese bucket would work well), or a spray bottle.

Apply solution to windows or mirrors with spray bottle or by dipping a cleaning rag in the solution and wiping on. Wipe off with a clean, dry rag, a paper towel, or — newspaper!

Tip: Newspaper is my secret for a streak-free finish when cleaning windows.

If cleaning outside windows, apply to windows with a rag then rinse with a hose and allow to drip dry.

6. DIY Shower Cleaner Recipe

Keep your shower squeaky clean with this easy DIY Shower Cleaner recipe.

Ingredients Needed:

  • 1 part water
  • 1 part white vinegar
  • 1 part dish soap

Mix together in a spray bottle, then spray surface and wipe clean.

Tip: Kids love to help clean the shower with this non-toxic recipe! Put the solution in a dispensing dish brush or sponge and let them scrub the shower or bath.

7. Bathroom Mildew Stain Remover Recipe

You don’t need to buy harsh chemical cleaners to deal with mildew in your bathroom. Try this Bathroom Mildew Stain recipe instead:

Ingredients Needed:

  • 1 cup Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Squirt of dish soap
  • Spray bottle

Mix ingredients together, and spray on mildew stains. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, then scrub briefly. Rinse with water.

8. DIY Grout Cleaner Recipe

This DIY Grout Cleaner works well on light or white grout, and with ceramic tiles. Avoid using around marble or stone tiles.

Ingredients Needed:

  • 3 parts Baking Soda
  • 1 part Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Toothbrush

Mix ingredients. Apply the paste to the grout with a toothbrush, and let it sit. Rinse with water after about an hour.

 

9. Rust, Lime, Hard Water Stain, Calcium Remover Recipe

Here’s my secret weapon used in removing hard water and calcium buildup: Citric Acid! It’s the stuff that makes Sour Patch Kids sour, but it’s also a handy ingredient for removing difficult stains caused by hard water. Save this Calcium, Lime, Rust & Hard Water Remover recipe!

Ingredients Needed:

  • Citric Acid
  • (Optional) A shaker bottle

Fill shaker bottle with citric acid and shake onto the mineral stain. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, then scrub away.

Citric acid works well on hard water stains in toilets, bathtubs, and sinks.

10. Food Safe Dishwasher De-Scaler Recipe

If you have hard water, this Food Safe Dishwasher De-Scaler recipe can help remove buildup from your dishwasher and get dishes cleaner. I love that citric acid is a food-safe cleaner and de-scaler!

Ingredients Needed:

  • Citric Acid

Add citric acid to both cups of dishwasher’s cleaning reservoir. With an empty dishwasher, run regular dish cycle (you don’t need to run the drying cycle).

11. Wood Floor Cleaner Recipe

You don’t need any special ingredients to get your wood floor shiny clean! Find the ingredients for this Wood Floor Cleaner Recipe in your pantry.

Ingredients Needed:

  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1 gallon warm water

Mix ingredients in a bucket, and apply to floor with a mop dipped in the solution. Rinse mop frequently and dip again into solution.

Allow floors to dry or dry with a towel.

12. Super Wood Floor Cleaner Recipe

If you have a greasy wood floor, mix up a batch of this Super Wood Floor Cleaner!

Ingredients Needed:

  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1 gallon warm water
  • A squirt of dish soap

Mix ingredients in a bucket, and apply to floor with a mop dipped in the solution, or spot clean with a rag. Rinse mop frequently and dip again into solution.

Allow floors to dry or dry with a towel.