The Homemade Cleaner I Trust for Every Dirty Corner in My Home

I never plan to become the kind of person who mixes my own cleaner, but it slowly becomes part of my routine after becoming a mom.

One day I am wiping the dining table for the third time, and the smell from the store-bought spray feels too strong. Another day I walk into the kitchen and see a tiny sticky patch on the floor where juice dried overnight.

And each time, I feel uncomfortable reaching for products filled with ingredients I can’t pronounce, especially with a toddler touching every surface in the house.

So one afternoon, while cleaning under the highchair, I tell myself I should try something simpler. I want a cleaner that works, smells light, costs almost nothing, and feels safe enough to use anywhere. That’s how I start mixing my own, and now I can’t imagine using anything else.

The Simple Mixture I Depend On

I keep only three ingredients in the house for this cleaner. They are easy to find, inexpensive, and gentle enough for daily use. Here is the ratio I use every time:

• 70% warm water
• 20% white vinegar
• 10% dish soap

Sometimes I add a piece of lemon peel or a couple of drops of essential oil, but that depends on what I have. Most days I use only the basic three ingredients. They work well together, and I like how the scent fades quickly.

I also reuse an old spray bottle because it feels good not to buy new plastic for something so simple.

Why I Start Making This Cleaner

When I first try it, I am mostly curious. I want to see if something homemade can actually replace the many bottles sitting under my sink. In the beginning, I use it only to wipe juice spills and dried food from the table. But the more I use it, the more confident I feel.

The mixture loosens greasy patches around the stove without needing harsh scrubbing. It wipes fingerprints from the fridge in a few seconds. It lifts dry crumbs from the highchair tray and doesn’t leave any sticky residue behind.

Plus, the vinegar smell disappears faster than I expect, and I like how clean the surface feels afterward. Little by little, I start spraying it everywhere.

This Homemade Cleaner Fits Into My Daily Routine

Most days, I keep the bottle on the kitchen counter because that’s where I need it the most. My toddler drops food, drags toys, and leaves tiny fingerprints on every reachable surface.

Instead of searching for something strong or complicated, I grab my homemade spray and a cloth. It becomes part of the rhythm of my home without me noticing.

I use it on the dining table after meals. I use it under the table where crumbs always hide. I spray it on the counters when the cooking oil splashes. I also use it on the fridge handles, the sink, the stove once it cools, and even the inside of the microwave.

When I walk into the bathroom, I bring the same bottle with me. It handles toothpaste marks around the sink and small water spots near the faucet. I wipe the doorknobs, the shelf corners, and the windowsills without switching products.

I Always Rely on My DIY Cleaner

One morning last week, I find a dried patch of syrup underneath the kitchen cart. It’s mixed with dust, crumbs, and a few random bits of cereal.

I could pull out a heavier cleaner, but I don’t want the strong smell in the room. So I reach for my homemade spray, spray the corner a few times, and let it sit for a moment.

When I wipe it, the sticky layer comes off easily. There is something satisfying about watching something so messy disappear with a simple mixture of water, soap, and vinegar.

This Cleaner Is So Important to Me

Making my own cleaner is saving money, being perfect with sustainability and even feeling comfortable with what I bring into my home.

It’s about wiping my baby’s highchair without worrying about strong chemicals. It’s about reducing one more piece of plastic by reusing the same bottle. It’s about choosing something simple in a world full of unnecessary products.