For dusting and lightly polishing sealed wood furniture.
Ingredients
¼ cup water
¼ cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
10 drops lemon essential oil, optional
Directions
Add everything to a small spray bottle and shake thoroughly. Spray a small amount onto a soft cloth, then wipe the furniture. Shake before and during use because the oil naturally separates.
Use only on sealed, finished wood. Avoid unfinished or waxed wood, floors, glass, fabric, and natural stone. Make a small batch so the olive oil does not become stale.
2
Window & Mirror Cleaner
For clear glass without a heavy fragrance or soapy film.
Ingredients
2 cups distilled water
¼ cup white vinegar
¼ cup 70% rubbing alcohol
Directions
Combine in a labeled spray bottle. Spray lightly and wipe immediately with a clean, lint-free microfiber cloth.
Avoid finished wood, natural stone, electronic screens, and specialty-coated glass. Rubbing alcohol is flammable; keep it away from heat and open flames.
3
Castile-Soap Shower Scrub
A soft scrub for everyday soap residue and bathroom grime.
Ingredients
½ cup baking soda
Unscented liquid Castile soap, enough to make a soft paste
Directions
Mix fresh in a small bowl until it has a frosting-like consistency. Apply with a damp sponge, gently scrub, and rinse thoroughly.
Test first on acrylic, fiberglass, and natural stone. Baking soda is mildly abrasive and may dull delicate surfaces.
4
Toilet-Bowl Cleaner
For routine cleaning, with a separate vinegar step for mineral buildup.
Ingredients
½ cup baking soda
1 teaspoon unscented liquid Castile soap
½ cup white vinegar, used separately if needed
Directions
Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, add Castile soap, scrub, and flush. If mineral buildup remains, add the vinegar only after flushing. Let it sit for 15–30 minutes, scrub again, and flush.
Do not store these ingredients mixed together. Never use vinegar before or after bleach unless the toilet has been fully flushed and no bleach product remains.
5
Lemon or Orange All-Purpose Cleaner
For routine cleaning on most washable, sealed household surfaces.
Ingredients
20 ounces water
4 ounces white vinegar
1 tablespoon regular dish soap
8–10 drops lemon or orange essential oil
Directions
Add the water and vinegar to a 28-ounce or larger spray bottle. Add the dish soap and essential oil last. Gently turn the bottle to combine; do not shake hard.
Use regular dish soap—not Castile soap—in this recipe. Avoid granite, marble, natural stone, unsealed wood, waxed surfaces, and electronics.
My Cleaning Notes
Write down the surfaces you tested, the scents your family prefers, or the bottles that need refilling.