With the right ingredients, homemade cleaning sprays can handle stains, spills, greasy fingerprints, and bad smells all around the house. They’re simple to make, save money, and are usually kinder to the environment than store-bought cleaners. To cut back on pricey cleaning products, I turned to the experts for easy DIY recipes that really work.
It takes just a few minutes to fill a reusable spray bottle with one of these solutions. You probably already have most of what you need—like vinegar, essential oils, rubbing alcohol, and dish soap—sitting in your kitchen or bathroom. From all-purpose sprays to window cleaners and gentle cleaners for stone, here’s a handy list of the best homemade sprays for almost every surface at home.
Quick safety tip: Always label your bottles of DIY cleaner with everything inside. It’s important to know what’s in them, just in case a child or pet gets curious.
Easy Homemade Cleaning Sprays
It’s easy to make a simple and effective cleaning spray right at home. Just mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Drop in a few drops of your favorite essential oil to make it smell nice and boost its cleaning power. For a stronger spray, add a bit of rubbing alcohol or mix vinegar, water, and a small squirt of dish soap.
Here are a few easy homemade spray recipes:
- Basic All-Purpose Spray:
Pour 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water into a spray bottle. - Citrus Fresh Spray:
Add 5 to 10 drops of lemon or orange essential oil to the basic mix. - Alcohol-Powered Cleaner:
Mix ¼ cup rubbing alcohol, ¾ cup water, 5 to 10 drops of essential oil, and a squirt of dish soap in a spray bottle. - Disinfecting Spray:
Combine 1 cup rubbing alcohol with 2 cups water and 10 drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil.
Helpful tips for using your homemade sprays:
- Shake the bottle well before each use.
- Spray on surfaces and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
- Use a glass spray bottle so the vinegar doesn’t react with plastic.
- Check if your surface is safe for the spray you’re using.
- For the best results, use distilled water.
1. All-Purpose Cleaner With Dish Soap
What you’ll need:
- ¼ teaspoon dish soap
- 1 cup water
- Optional: 4–6 drops essential oil
This easy cleaner wipes away greasy fingerprints from painted walls, smudges from stainless steel, and spots inside the fridge. Paired with a microfiber cloth, it’s great for dusting baseboards, window sills, and more. Just don’t use it on wood.
Pour water and dish soap into a spray bottle, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and shake well. If you skip the oil, this mix can help lift carpet stains. Spray it on a microfiber cloth and gently blot the stain. When it’s gone, spray clean water from another bottle to rinse the soap, then blot dry.
2. Scented All-Purpose Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1 part white vinegar
- 1 part water
- Peel of 1 lemon
- 2–3 sprigs rosemary
Mix equal parts vinegar and water, toss in the lemon peel and rosemary sprigs, then shake. Let it sit for about a week before using so the scent gets stronger. (You can swap in orange peels, cloves, or cinnamon sticks for a different smell.) Use this spray to clean trash cans, erase wall smudges, remove hard water stains, and more. The lemon peel adds a fresh scent and helps clean better.
Be careful: Don’t use vinegar cleaners on granite—they can damage the stone. Also, check before using on stainless steel, since some brands don’t recommend it.
3. DIY Glass Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup white or apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup rubbing alcohol (70% concentration)
- Optional: 1–5 drops orange essential oil
This homemade cleaner makes windows and mirrors shine. The vinegar clears dust and dirt, and the rubbing alcohol helps it dry fast to stop streaks.
Mix the water, vinegar, and alcohol in a spray bottle. (For smaller bottles, cut the recipe in half. Tip: 2 tablespoons = ⅛ cup.) Add a few drops of essential oil if you like, then shake.
Tip: Don’t clean windows when it’s sunny and hot—the spray dries too quickly and leaves streaks. For mirrors, spray onto a cloth instead of directly on the glass.
4. Natural Stone Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- ¼ cup rubbing alcohol
- ¾ cup water
- 1 teaspoon dish soap
- Optional: Up to 10 drops essential oil
Stone surfaces like kitchen counters, bathroom tiles, and marble floors need gentle cleaning. Harsh cleaners and acidic ingredients (like lemon and vinegar) can harm them. To make a safe stone cleaner, mix rubbing alcohol, water, dish soap, and a few drops of essential oil. Shake well, spray on the surface, and wipe with a microfiber cloth.
Are Homemade Cleaners Effective?
Yes—homemade cleaners can work just as well as store-bought ones. You might need to scrub a little more or apply them twice if something is really dirty. If they aren’t strong enough, try a store-bought cleaner instead.
Remember: Not every homemade cleaner is safe for every surface. Always test a small, hidden area first. And don’t forget to label every bottle with what’s inside to keep things safe.
What Supplies Do You Need?
It’s a good idea to get a few glass spray bottles for storing your homemade cleaners. They’re easy to wash and reuse. (One good option is Grove’s refillable spray bottle—it even has a built-in label.) A plastic funnel also comes in handy to pour liquids into the bottles without spills.