Make this easy DIY all-purpose cleaner with simple ingredients for a natural way to clean glass, countertops, and other household surfaces.
If you're looking for a simple homemade cleaner that actually works, this is one you'll want to keep on hand.
I've been using this DIY all-purpose cleaner for years because it's quick to make, budget-friendly, and made with common household ingredients.
I love having one cleaning spray that works on so many different surfaces around the house.
Whether you're wiping down kitchen counters, freshening up the bathroom, or cleaning mirrors, this recipe gets the job done.
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Why You'll Love This DIY Cleaner
This homemade cleaner comes together in just a few minutes using ingredients you can find at almost any grocery store.
It works well on many household surfaces, making it easy to clean multiple rooms without switching products.
The fresh lemon adds a light, clean scent, while the vinegar helps cut through everyday grime. Best of all, you can mix a new batch whenever you need it.
Ingredients
See the recipe card below for measurements and instructions.
- Water
- Vinegar
- Dish Liquid
- Lemon
Ingredient Notes
The ingredients in this recipe are simple, but each one serves an important purpose.
Warm water helps the ingredients blend together easily. White vinegar helps dissolve soap residue, grease, and mineral buildup while leaving many surfaces looking clean and shiny. Dish soap helps lift dirt and grime, and fresh lemon juice adds a citrus scent while boosting cleaning power.
I recommend using filtered water or distilled water if your tap water contains a lot of minerals or impurities. This can help reduce streaks, especially when cleaning glass and mirrors.
A glass spray bottle is a great choice for storing vinegar-based homemade cleaners because it won't absorb odors over time. If you use a plastic spray bottle, choose one designed for cleaning products and be sure to add a label so everyone knows what's inside
DIY All Purpose Cleaner Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups Warm Water
- ¼ cup Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dish Soap
- 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice about a half of one lemon
Instructions
- Add the warm water, vinegar, dish soap, and fresh lemon juice to a clean spray bottle.
- Secure the lid and gently shake until the ingredients are combined.
- Lightly spray the cleaner onto the surface and wipe clean with a lint-free cloth or paper towel.
- When cleaning glass or mirrors, allow the solution to evaporate completely before buffing for a streak-free finish.
Notes
- This cleaner works well on most non-porous household surfaces, including glass and mirrors.
- Do not use vinegar-based cleaners on natural stone surfaces such as granite, marble, or travertine, as the acid can cause etching.
- Avoid using this cleaner on waxed surfaces, cast iron, aluminum, or electronic screens such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops because vinegar can damage protective coatings.
- Store the cleaner in a labeled spray bottle and shake gently before each use.
Where to Use This Cleaner
One of the reasons I keep this DIY cleaner stocked is because it's so versatile.
It works well on kitchen surfaces, bathroom counters, sinks, tubs, mirrors, windows, stainless steel appliances, and many other sealed household surfaces. I also use it to wipe down toys, clean pet messes, and freshen up other areas around the house.
After spraying the cleaner onto the surface, wipe it away with a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel. When cleaning glass or mirrors, allow the solution a few moments to evaporate before buffing for the clearest finish with fewer streaks.
Important Safety Tips
Surfaces to Avoid
Although this cleaner works well on many surfaces, there are a few places where it should not be used.
Do not use vinegar-based cleaners on natural stone such as granite, marble, quartzite, or other stone countertops because the acid can damage the finish over time. Avoid using it on waxed surfaces, cast iron, aluminum, and electronic screens.
Always test the cleaner on a small, hidden area before using it on a new surface.
Store Safely
Store the cleaner with the lid tightly closed in a clearly labeled spray bottle and keep it out of reach of kids and pets.
Because this recipe contains fresh lemon juice, it's best to make smaller batches that you'll use within a few weeks for the freshest results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you'd like a stronger scent, you can add a few drops of essential oils such as lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, or tea tree oil. While many people enjoy using tea tree oil in homemade cleaners, I simply use fresh lemon juice in this recipe because I like the clean citrus scent.
I don't recommend it for this recipe. Vinegar and castile soap don't work well together and can create a cloudy residue instead of an effective cleaner.
This recipe works well for everyday cleaning by helping remove dirt, grease, and grime from surfaces. It is not registered as a disinfectant and should not be relied upon to kill bacteria or germs in situations where disinfection is needed.
Keep it in a labeled glass spray bottle or cleaning bottle with the lid tightly closed. Store it in a cool location away from direct sunlight.
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More DIY Cleaning
Check out the cleaning tutorials below for more simple tips, helpful ideas, and DIY solutions to make everyday cleaning a little easier.
Hi, I'm Katie!
I'm so glad you're here. Want to make something fabulous? I'm here to help!
Ian Edmonson
I really can't believe how powerful vinegar is, I thought it is for removing stain in tiles in the floors. Thank you for sharing I will try this in our stove.
wilson
Gracias por los consejos que son muy útiles los pondré en practica.
John
I can't believe it how heavy vinegar is that, I can just believe it vinegar is very important for food and drink. Thanks for sharing information.
Stella
Hi Katie, great tips here, I will give them a try! I look forward to reading more from you 🙂
Adam
I am wondering if this works on car's windshield too.
Melissa
Um, how cute is the bottle with the built-in juicer?! That thing is amazing! Love the tip to use the lemon juice in the vinegar solution (we use vinegar a whole bunch for cleaning around our home - one of my faves is in the laundry.) Have you ever heard of using cornstarch or arrowroot powder in your homemade window cleaner? I've heard it works a treat. Really appreciate the time you put into providing us all with these easy solutions. Thanks again for the great information!
David Engle
I read out your article about cleaning and got some very good information about clean my toilet using vinegar. I hope this recipe help to make my toilet and bathroom clean.
Thank you.
Doug Mahoney
Agreed! This is one of the best homemade cleaners and it works very effectively. Moreover, very easy to prepare and use. Thanks for sharing the recipe,Katie!
Varun Sharma
Amazing cleaner recipe. It was great.
Gurunath Reddedesani
Thanks for sharing this wonderful cleaning tip. Have heard about cleaning with vinegar before, but I never knew how to do it. I came to know about it from your blog.Will definitely be trying it now.