After cooking a big meal, the kitchen often looks like a tiny tornado passed through — greasy stove, sticky counters, and that mystery spot by the sink that refuses to go away. That’s usually when the question How to Make Homemade Kitchen Cleaner? pops into my mind, because using store-bought sprays every day gets pricey, and I’d rather keep things natural around my food.
I’ve definitely battled my share of stubborn messes, but a few simple DIY mixes have saved me more times than I can count. Here’s what usually works for me — and might just make your cleanup routine a whole lot easier, too.
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Why I Ditched Store-Bought Cleaners Forever
Commercial cleaners are convenient until you read the warning labels. Respiratory irritant. Corrosive. Keep away from children. I’ve had clients cough their way through a kitchen clean because the fumes were so strong. Meanwhile my homemade versions smell like lemon or orange instead of a chemical factory.
Cost is the other kicker. My everyday all-purpose cleaner costs me about 18 cents per 32-ounce bottle. The name-brand “natural” one at the grocery store? $5.99 on sale. Do that math over a year and you’re looking at hundreds saved.
But the real reason I’m obsessed is performance. Vinegar dissolves mineral deposits better than most lime removers. Baking soda scrubs without scratching. Castile soap cuts grease like nobody’s business. Once you see how fast these simple ingredients work, you’ll feel a little silly for ever paying premium prices for watered-down chemicals.
Only Ingredients You’ll Ever Need (My Pantry Staples)
I keep six things on hand at all times:
- Distilled white vinegar (5% acidity) – the workhorse
- Baking soda – gentle abrasive and deodorizer
- Liquid Castile soap (I prefer Dr. Bronner’s unscented or peppermint
- Hydrogen peroxide 3% – disinfectant when you need it
- Essential oils – lemon, tea tree, sweet orange, lavender (optional but heavenly)
- Dish soap – I use unscented Dawn or Seventh Generation Free & Clear
That’s literally it. Everything else is just variations.
My Everyday All-Purpose Kitchen Cleaner (The One I Make Every Week)
This is the bottle that lives on my counter 24/7.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon castile soap or ½ teaspoon dish soap
- 20–30 drops essential oil (I like 15 lemon + 10 tea tree)
Instructions:
- Fill a 24- or 32-oz spray bottle halfway with hot water (helps everything mix).
- Add the soap first—otherwise it bubbles like crazy when you add vinegar.
- Pour in the vinegar.
- Add essential oils.
- Top off with cool water, leave an inch of headspace, and shake gently.
This stuff obliterates sticky spills, fingerprints on stainless steel, and that weird film on granite. I’ve used it daily for years and it’s never etched or dulled anything.
The Heavy-Duty Degreaser That Replaced My Goo Gone
When you cook bacon or fry anything, you need this.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups hot water
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons castile soap
- 1 tablespoon washing soda (Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda—not baking soda)
- 15 drops sweet orange essential oil (cuts grease like magic)
Washing soda is the secret weapon here. It turns the mixture slightly alkaline, which is what grease hates most. Spray it on a little thicker than usual, let it sit 2–5 minutes on nasty stovetops or range hoods, then wipe. I once cleaned a rental house where the previous tenant apparently deep-fried everything—this got the vent hood sparkling in one pass.
Pro tip: Always wear gloves with washing soda mixtures. It’s safe but can dry your hands out.
The Gentle Granite & Quartz Daily Spray (No Streaks, No Etching)
So many people are terrified of vinegar on stone. Here’s what I actually use on my own quartz and on every client’s granite:
Ingredients:
- ½ cup rubbing alcohol (70% or higher)
- 1½ cups distilled water
- ½ teaspoon castile soap or a few drops dish soap
- 10 drops essential oil (I love lavender here)
The alcohol evaporates fast, leaving zero streaks. It’s also antiviral and antibacterial. Safe on sealed granite, quartz, marble, soapstone—everything. I’ve been using a version of this for eight years on my own kitchen and it still looks brand new.
Stainless Steel Polish That Actually Works
Store-bought stainless wipes are $8 a canister and half the time they leave streaks. This costs pennies.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil (yes, really)
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
Method:
Spray or dampen a microfiber cloth with straight vinegar, wipe with the grain. Buff dry. Then put 3–4 drops of the olive oil mixture on a clean microfiber and buff again. Your appliances will look wet and gorgeous for weeks. I do this to my fridge and dishwasher once a month and people always think they’re new.
Natural Oven Cleaner That Doesn’t Require a Gas Mask
I hate commercial oven sprays with a passion. This works better and doesn’t make me leave the house for four hours.
Make a paste:
- ½ cup baking soda
- 2–3 tablespoons water (or just enough to make toothpaste consistency)
- 1 tablespoon castile soap
- 10 drops sweet orange oil
Spread it everywhere except the heating element. Let sit minimum 12 hours (I do it before bed). Next morning, wipe out with a damp cloth, then spray with 50/50 vinegar-water to dissolve any residue. For really bad ovens, I put a bowl of straight vinegar in while it’s still slightly warm (not hot!) overnight—the steam loosens everything.
Disinfecting Wipes You Can Make in 5 Minutes
Perfect for quick counter wipes after raw chicken.
Take an old T-shirt or buy bamboo cloths, cut into squares.
Mix:
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tablespoon castile soap
- ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide or ½ cup vodka
- 15 drops tea tree + 15 drops lemon oil
Soak the cloths, wring lightly, stuff into an old wipes container or large mason jar. They stay good for weeks. When they get grubby, toss in the wash and remake.
What Not to Do: Mistakes I Learned the Hard Way
- Never mix vinegar and castile soap in large batches without testing. Sometimes it can separate or get cloudy (it’s still safe, just ugly).
- Never use vinegar on natural stone that isn’t sealed or on waxed floors.
- Don’t store hydrogen peroxide mixtures in opaque bottles—it breaks down in light.
- Never mix bleach with anything except water. Ever. I had a client who mixed bleach and vinegar once and ended up in the ER. Not worth it.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought (The Real Numbers)
| Cleaner Type | Homemade Cost (32 oz) | Store-Bought Cost | Fumes? | Effectiveness (my rating) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-purpose spray | $0.18–$0.35 | $4.99–$7.99 | None | 9.5/10 | Wins every time |
| Degreaser | $0.45 | $6.99 | Mild citrus | 10/10 | Homemade destroys commercial |
| Granite/quartz safe | $0.25 | $7.99 | Alcohol smell (gone in seconds) | 10/10 | No streaks ever |
| Stainless polish | $0.30 | $8.99 (wipes) | None | 10/10 | Lasts 3–4× longer |
| Oven cleaner | $0.20 | $5.99 | None | 9/10 | Takes longer but no toxic fumes |
How to Store Your Cleaners Properly
Clear spray bottles are fine for vinegar mixtures (they last 1–2 years).
Alcohol-based cleaners: 6–12 months.
Hydrogen peroxide mixes: make small batches, use within 1–2 months.
Label everything with sharpie: name + date made.
Keep out of reach of kids (even natural stuff can be harmful if swallowed in quantity).
Advanced Recipes for Specific Nightmares
Tomato sauce splatters on plastic containers: Straight hydrogen peroxide, sit in sun 30 minutes, wash.
Burnt pan bottoms: Sprinkle baking soda, add just enough water to cover, simmer 10 minutes.
Microwave explosion: Bowl of 1 cup water + 1 cup vinegar, microwave 5–10 minutes, wipe.
Garbage disposal stink: ½ cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup vinegar. Let foam, then pour a kettle of boiling water.
Final Thoughts From Someone Who’s Cleaned Over 400 Kitchens
Making your own cleaners isn’t about being crunchy or saving the planet (though both are nice bonuses). It’s about having something that works immediately, smells good, and doesn’t make you worry about your kids breathing it in. I’ve watched clients’ faces light up when they spray my homemade stuff and realize it actually works better than what they paid $8 for.
Start with the basic all-purpose recipe. Make one bottle tonight. Use it for a week. I pretty much guarantee you’ll be throwing out the commercial stuff by next weekend.
Always test in an inconspicuous spot first. I learned that the hard way on a client’s antique wood table (vinegar took the finish right off). But on 99% of modern kitchen surfaces? You’re golden.
FAQ
Is homemade kitchen cleaner really as effective as store-bought?
Yes—often more so. Vinegar kills 99% of bacteria, mold, and viruses on contact. Baking soda scrubs better than Bon Ami. I’ve never had a client complain it didn’t work.
Can I use vinegar on granite?
Only if it’s sealed (most modern granite is). When in doubt, use the alcohol-based recipe above—it’s 100% safe.
How long do homemade cleaners last?
Vinegar-based: 1–2 years. Alcohol-based: 6–12 months. Anything with hydrogen peroxide: 1–2 months max.
Will essential oils make it antibacterial?
Some (tea tree, oregano, lemon) have mild properties, but they’re mostly for scent. For real disinfection use vinegar, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide.
My homemade cleaner separated. Is it bad?
No. Just shake it. Castile soap and vinegar sometimes separate—it’s cosmetic only.
