Green Cleaning: All Purpose Cleaner

The easiest way to go green with your cleaning products is to start with an all purpose cleaner.  This thing is so versatile and so CHEAP, you will wonder how you ever lived without it.  And better than cheap, it is effective and completely non-toxic.  You can feel good knowing that your family is not being affected by unpronounceable chemicals that have who knows what long term impacts on their health.


DIY Green All Purpose Cleaner

• 1 cups water
• 1 cups white vinegar
• 10-15 drops essential oil (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Swirl or shake to blend.


The essential oils are optional, and are used to provide a light, clean fragrance. I am partial to lavender and lemon (together, or on their own).  If you do choose to use essential oils, do not go overboard.  A little goes a LOOONG way.

I use this cleaner primarily on glass, but it also works great on appliances (even stainless steel), porcelain sinks, and while I have not used it on a flat finish paint, it works well on our glossy painted cabinets and wood trim.  Do not use it on granite countertops... the vinegar can erode the finish over time.  

If you are concerned about the lingering smell of vinegar, don't be.  Once it dries, the smell is gone.  

I tend to make a huge batch of this cleaner by tripling or even quadrupling the recipe and storing it in a large container that I use to refill my smaller spray bottle (that naturally, I labeled with cute adhesive vinyl letters that I cut out using my Cricut Explore).  

* I will update later with resources on where to buy materials for making this cleaner.

Happy green cleaning!