Do you ever need that little spark of motivation to organize and clean your home? Let my DIY All-Natural Bathroom Cleaner give you the means and the motivation to refresh your bathroom without any harsh chemicals! Okay, so it may not make you say, “Yay! I can’t wait to clean the toilets!” but at least it can make the job a lot more pleasant (and far less toxic).
Toss the Toxins: Why All-Natural Is Just Plain Better
Did you know that many store-bought cleaners can contribute to indoor air pollution, are poisonous if ingested, and can be harmful if inhaled or touched? If you’re searching for the best all-natural bathroom cleaner, then chances are you already knew that, right? Well, just in case, let me refresh your memory on exactly what goes into most of those cleaners and why they’re so bad.
To learn more about each ingredient, I turned to the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning. While best known for their Skin Deep database for skincare products, they also have one to help you find the best cleaners that works pretty much the same way. It lists different ingredients in a product along with their safety rating on a grading scale from A to F, with F, of course, being a failing grade.
Out of 290 ranked products, only 39 products passed with an A. On the other hand, 132 earned a failing grade, and another 90 barely passed with a D. That list includes almost all of the major cleaners you’ll find in your average store. Let’s see what they have to say about the most common household cleaner ingredients.
Ammonium Chlorides
While there are many different equally unpronounceable names for this common ingredient, they’re all pretty horrifying. None of them rates higher than a D (with many earning an F). They all come with a note saying, “this substance poses a high risk for human health.” Of its many offenses, it’s particularly nasty for those with asthma and may cause damage to your reproductive health. If that’s not enough to make you want to start using only all-natural cleaners, keep reading. It doesn’t get much better.
Silicon compounds
While silicone on its own isn’t particularly dangerous, when you break it down and pop it into a cleaning product, it’s a different story. Another failing grade on the EWG scale, silicon compounds have a “high concern” when it comes to developmental, endocrine and reproductive effects.
The effects are particularly nasty when it’s inhaled. Unless you’re basically wearing a gas mask while cleaning your bathroom, there’s a very strong chance you’ll inhale at least a little bit of the substances. For those who are concerned about the planet, the silicon compounds found in cleaning products are also fairly toxic to ocean creatures.
Butoxydiglycol
I can’t even begin to tell you how to pronounce this one, but I can tell you that it’s definitely not good for you! While it received a slightly higher grade than the first two (a D, so barely passing), it’s considered a “high concern” when it comes to your pulmonary function. You know, that system that keeps you breathing and keeps your heart beating? It’s pretty important, so anything that’s a “high concern” should definitely be eliminated from your home.
Hydrochloric acid
If you’ve ever watched a horror movie or a crime show, you know what Hydrochloric acid is used for. Not a scary movie fan? Let’s just say that it’s what the bad guys use when they want to get rid of all (and I do mean all) evidence of their crime. Oddly enough, it’s only a C on EWG’s grading scale, so it’s not quite as toxic as ammonia and silicon compounds. Still, most of us would rather not use ingredients capable of wiping an entire human body off the face of the planet, right? Its greatest offense is to your respiratory system, although there’s “some concern” about its effects on your skin and vital organs.
Fragrance
While fragrance is often the least offensive ingredient in most cleaners (aside from water, the only thing that gets an A), it’s still potentially problematic for those with allergies, asthma, or sensitivities. On the EWG scale, it earns between a C and D, depending on the product. Unfortunately, we’ve conditioned ourselves to believe that if something doesn’t smell like lemons, it’s not clean, which is why manufacturers include it even if they can make their product work just fine without it.
These are just a small handful of the most offensive ingredients found in the average bathroom cleaner. Depending on the brand and product, it’s possible to have 5, 10 or even more chemicals that barely manage a “passing” grade. So, now that you know why cleaning with natural products is just better, let’s talk about the how.
How to make your own DIY all-natural bathroom cleaner spray
With only a few simple non-toxic ingredients you can keep your bathroom fresh and sparkling. This DIY All-Natural Bathroom Cleaner works wonders, keeps my kids’ bathroom super extra clean, and it is safe for daily use. It’s one of my favorite hacks for a more natural home!
After you discover how easy it is to make your own bathroom cleaner spray and how good it works, you’ll never go back to store-bought cleaners again! You can get a spray bottle at a dollar store and label it with a simple sticker.
I’ll give you the exact recipe that I use in a moment, but first, a quick word about the ingredients I used. While my cleaner works great for me, I know some do find it challenging to mix the baking soda and vinegar. I believe the words “science experiment” and “volcano” came up.
Yes, if you mix baking soda and vinegar quickly, it will fizz all over the place. In fact, it’s this fizzing action that makes it such a great alternative to drain cleaner (try it, pour both down your drain and watch the clogs vanish). When you’re mixing up a batch to keep in a spray bottle, though, slow and steady definitely wins the race.
Of course, you can use other ingredients to make your DIY all-natural cleaner if you prefer. Read on for a few examples, along with some recommended products.
Vinegar + Pure Castile Soap
Castile soap is incredibly versatile on its own. You can use it to clean everything from your hands to your dishes. The added vinegar gives it a bit more oomph when it comes to dealing with soap scum, making it a great homemade cleaner for showers and tubs.
While we’re talking about soap, I know a lot of people use vinegar and Dawn for cleaning. Did you know, though, that even the mildest variety of Dawn only scores a C on EWG? By comparison, unscented Castile soap passes with an A.
Plain diluted vinegar
Sometimes, the best natural cleaners for bathrooms are the simplest ones, and you can’t get much simpler than this DIY idea! Just fill a spray bottle up halfway with water, then the rest of the way with vinegar for a fantastic all-purpose spray. Use it on everything from your counters to your shower door. It’s also amazing for way beyond the bathroom! I use it as a kitchen counter spray, on my windows, and so much more.
Baking Soda + Salt + Washing Soda
If you need a powerful scouring powder to use as a homemade tub cleaner, Wellness Mama shares an easy and inexpensive recipe that uses just three ingredients (the essential oils are optional). The washing soda is the only thing you may not have on hand. It’s fairly cheap, though. You can get a huge 5-lb bag for under $15.
Essential Oils
Fragrances aren’t a necessity, but they’re a nice finishing touch. Skip heavy chemical perfumes and just use essential oils. Not only will your whole house smell great but essential oils have antibacterial properties, so they do double duty. Grab a starter set of the most popular essential oils, then experiment a bit to find a combo that you love. Orange, lemon, eucalyptus, and tea tree are all very clean-smelling oils. Just add a few drops to any of your DIY natural bathroom cleaners.
With just a few simple ingredients, it’s easy to whip up natural products cleaning the tub, shower, sink, toilet, and pretty much everything else in your bathroom. In fact, you can use those same ingredients throughout the rest of your home. Ready for my recipe? Check it out below!
Print
DIY All Natural Bathroom Cleaner
Description
All natural, safe, and effective bathroom cleaner.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- Juice of 1/2 lemon or 15 drops essential oils *optional for fragrance
- 1 spray bottle
Instructions
- Pour the water and vinegar into the spray bottle.
- Add the baking soda and shake the bottle to combine all the ingredients.
- You can add the juice of 1/2 lemon or some drops of essential oils for fragrance if you want.
- Use this spray to clean the tub, tile, toilet, sink, and even the bathroom floor.
- Just spray all the surfaces and clean your entire bathroom naturally.
Notes
Warning: Please make sure to pour the baking soda slowly because it fizzes a lot.
- Category: bathroom cleaner
Last update on 2022-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Shwan Marsh says
I saw this recipe two or three years back, applied it, and been using it from that point onward. This stuff is like WOWW!!! I additionally use it in my sink and toilet. My tub, sink, and toilet never shined brighter. Thanks for this. You thoroughly rock!!
★★★★★
Creative And Healthy Fun Food says
Thank you! Glad to know it also works great for you!
Michael K says
Super interesting, looks like a great recipe; I would say that a huge warning should come with this: if you mix up these ingredients and put them into a plastic spray bottle, cap it, You can explode a plastic bottle Unless the pressure is released
Joe Carrow says
Great this amazing publish. This is practically new one particular for me. I must say I appreciate the most the info an individual share concerning natural bathroom cleaner Tips! It may be necessary to care for the bathroom cleaning. I actually loved them all tips along with videos. I will definitely try these out!! Appreciate you sharing!
Lisa says
Can you just leave this cleaner on say the toilet seat, or do you have to rinse it off?
Creative Healthy Family says
You have to rinse it off after cleaning it. Thanks.
Dianne says
Please tell me how do you keep it from bubbling over when you add the baking soda!!
Jaiden says
This is essentially a science fair volcano…… exploded all over my kitchen when I put the baking sofa in would not recommend.
★
Creative Healthy Family says
Oh no! I’m so sorry. I don’t understand why that happened. It works for me 🙁
Dianne L Bryant says
You’re sweet. Thanks for getting back to us.
Creative Healthy Family says
Thanks!
Max R says
Hello, I’m a bit late but for anyone having the same problem : Put the baking soda FIRST in the bottle, then pour the vinegar on top slowly. It will create foam that you can gradually get rid of, and since the bottle will still be mostly empty, there’s room for it. Once the baking soda is done reacting to the vinegar, you can start adding water. It’ll make the foam come out of the bottle, slowly. Once that’s done, you can easily add your essential oil and shake the bottle to mix. It will not have an explosive reaction anymore.
★★★★★
A says
Haha I used bicarb soda and created a volcano in the sink! Only left with about half a cup of mixture to try.
Creative Healthy Family says
Oh no! You need to pour it slowly.
Curtain Maker says
I had my reservations about adding baking soda to vinegar mix (school science lessons)! I think you need to say about adding slowly! I decided to put baking soda into the pre mix and then pour into spray bottle. Result: volcanic eruption! Once I had salvedged half the original mix, it was a good cleaning product. Just think you need to warn about the volcanic bubbling effect!
★★★
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you for the recommendation 🙂 I will add it to the instructions.
Catherine Letheren says
I made it yesterday and the same thing happened to me. I added it by the teaspoon but it still exploded. Please add the warning before other people make the same mistake. What was left in the bottle worked really well though.
Creative Healthy Family says
I will be editing the instructions soon!
Anita says
Does the baking soda settle to the bottom of the spray bottle and “cake”?
Creative Healthy Family says
Hi, it should not do that.
Gemma says
I tried this recipe with juice from a lemon and the smell of the mixture was revolting, it made me feel sick but I wanted to at least try it. The smell is just unbearable so I tipped it away after I had spayed it on the hob.
Creative Healthy Family says
So sorry to hear that 🙁
Karen W says
Used some bergamot essential oil along with mixture. Cut vinegar smell completely. I also mixed a triple batch and soaked in the tub. Then I mopped it on the walls. Worked great.
★★★★
Creative Healthy Family says
Great! Thanks so much!
M. Blair says
To make this without it exploding, just grab a mixing bowl or a large-ish Tupperware container. Put the baking soda in the bottom and add the vinegar relatively slowly. The mixture will fizz up, but its not too big a deal. Stir it around with a whisk a bit. Add the water and whisk it some more. The goal is to dissolve as much of the soda as possible. The add it to the spray bottle and shake it a little, just enough to knock it about.
By the time its in the bottle, all the fuel that makes it fizz should be spent. If you want to add a scent (I didn’t) this would be the time. Its not difficult and its not anything to be scared of. The cleaner worked great in the bathrooms.
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you so much!
Alice says
Hi, i just tried this, and for some reason that I cannot fathom it left streaks both on the taps and the mirror..
Why does that happen? And what can i do to prevent that?
Creative Healthy Family says
Oh no! I’m so sorry about that. I really don’t see why that happened to you! I think you should give it another try, start the recipe again and try it. Hope it works!
Jessica says
Hello!
Excited to try this but was wondering how long this cleaning solution lasts? Or should you use it all with each batch you make?
Thanks.
Creative Healthy Family says
Hi, thank you for your message. I keep mine for a few weeks 🙂 Hope this helps!
Jessica says
Yes, thank you!
★★★★★
Moshe says
Aw, this was an exceptionally good post.
Taking a few minutes and actual effort to generate a very
good article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t seem to get
nearly anything done.
★★★★★
Tracy Cahill says
Just wondering if you would suggest this method for all areas of cleaning or just for bathrooms😁
Creative Healthy Family says
It will work too!
Thans says
Vinegar and baking soda just creates salt and plain water it school science. Mixing it and storing is pointless. Only the fizzing can help in clogged situations, other than that there is no use.
Using them separately, I agree, are powerful natural cleaners
Minnie Rose says
Surely if they work individually to clean, they will work collectively to clean?
This recipe worked well for me. I’ve been using it for a few months.
★★★★
David Hug says
You are such a talented woman! I am sure your family really appreciate everything that you do to make your home totally amazing! I am in awe! God Bless you! I can’t help but follow everything that you post. Thank you.
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you so much for your kind comment.
Harriet Frost says
Thanks for sharing this amazing article, it is a very informative post good work keep it up.
★★★★★
Harriet Frost says
This is amazing. Thanks for sharing this blog. I have become a fan of your blogs. This blog is so interesting and informative.
★★★★★
Joy says
I read that you should not use vinegar on tile or granite, so if you have granite countertops or a tile shower, you should not use it in those areas. Supposedly it dissolves the stone over time. Source is Hands on Home by Erica Strauss.