If you want to avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning your home, consider making this multipurpose cleaner. All you need are five natural ingredients to tackle even the toughest stains. One note: this cleaner includes vinegar, so avoid using on marble surfaces. Follow the step-by-step guide below.
Video: DIY Multipurpose Cleaner
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Things You'll Need
2 cups water
1 tsp. Borax
1/4 cup Castile soap
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
20 drops lavender essential oil
Spray bottle
1. Mix Borax with water
In a measuring cup, combine 1 teaspoon of Borax with 2 cups of hot water. Borax helps dissolve stuck-on grease and dirt. Stir until well dissolved and pour into a spray bottle. You can also combine them right in your spray bottle and shake until well combined.
Warning
Borax is widely considered safe to use in homemade cleaners. However, it can be toxic at very high doses so keep it away from children. You can replace it with washing soda, if desired.
2. Add the vinegar
Add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the spray bottle. Vinegar is a must-have natural ingredient in cleaning recipes for its ability to disinfect and deodorize.
Tip
This recipe is based on a 1:4 ratio of vinegar to water. So scale the amounts up or down depending on how much cleaner you want to make.
3. Add the Castile soap
Add 1/4 cup of Castile soap. Castile adds a bit of sudsing action to the spray cleaner.
4. Add the essential oil
Add 20 drops of lavender essential oil. Lavender is antibacterial and antifungal, and also adds a nice scent that makes tough cleaning jobs much more pleasant.
Your spray cleaner is ready to use. Spray it on surfaces that need cleaning -- countertops, sinks, toilets -- and wipe with a wet cloth. Messes won't stand a chance against your super DIY multi-purpose cleaner!
Warning
Avoid using vinegar on marble surfaces. It will leave marks and erode the stone.
