Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe

Alternatives for commercial cleaners are growing in popularity, as more people realize how easy they are to make, and how much safer they are to use around the house!  I still use vinegar and baking soda a lot as a basic cleaner, but I also really like this simple, all-purpose cleaner recipe.

It includes a number of bacteria-killers, including castile soap, tea tree oil, and vinegar.  Tea tree oil demonstrates antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal qualities, including against staph and ecoli, among other things.   I did find a medical report that said bacteria can develop resistance to tea tree oil if it’s used in concentrations below 4%.  My bottle is a 25% concentration.   Just be sure to check that when you pick up your oil.

One study found that 5% vinegar is 90% effective against mold and 99.9% effective against bacteria.

To make your own all-purpose cleaner, combine the following in a spray bottle:

2c water
1/2c distilled white vingar
1t castile soap (I used Dr. Bronner’s)
1/2c hydrogen peroxide
20 drops tea tree oil

That’s it!

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