How to Make Homemade Bathroom Cleaners - Easy DIY Tips

Nothing is worse than the musty, rotten smell of an unkempt bathroom, and the unsightly presence of stains, mold, and scum. But, readily available cleaning solutions can be corrosive and harmful for your health, which is why we’re taking the DIY route and giving you 5 homemade bathroom cleaner recipes for every part of your bath and shower.

Tub and Tile Cleaner

Tubs and tiles bring an air of elegance when they’re kept shiny and streak-free. This solution is a mild and gentle homemade bathroom cleaner that will get rid of water stains, and leave your fixtures looking bright and new.

What You’ll Need:

• Dish Soap (like Dawn Dish Soap)
• White Vinegar
• Lemon or Citrus Essential Oil 
• Spray Bottle
• Scrubbing Sponge or Cloth
• Gloves and Mask
  

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Step-by-Step Process:

1. Wear gloves and a mask when handling vinegar, particularly if you have allergies or sensitivities.
2. In a spray bottle, mix together the dish soap (similar to dawn dish soap) and the vinegar in a 2:3 ratio. Swirl gently to blend.
3. Add in the lemon essential oil. This will give your solution a pleasant smell, and combat the odor of the vinegar.
4. Spray the solution around the bathtub and tiles. Make sure to get into the nooks and crannies, between tiles, and around the drain.
5. Use a scrubbing sponge or cloth to wipe the areas dry.

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Helpful Tip: Wiping in small, circular motions prevents streaks from showing up on the surface.

Grout Cleaner

Is there anything worse than seeing mold grow on grout, turning it into a gross color? This recipe will revitalize your grout to its original glory. All you’ll need are a few laundry staples.

What You’ll Need:

• Baking Soda
• Distilled Water
• Bleach
• Old Toothbrush
• Gloves
• Cloth or sponge
  

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Step-by-Step Process:

1. Make sure to wear gloves while handling bleach. 
2. Mix together baking soda and water to form a thick paste. Add in a few tablespoons of bleach. The paste should be thick enough to stick on grout, but damp enough not to crumble.
3. Use an old toothbrush and apply the paste on grout, making sure to apply a good layer on visibly stained areas. 
4. Let the paste sit until dry. Do not get the grout wet during this time.
5. Brush off the dried paste, and wipe any excess with a damp cloth or sponge.
6. Repeat steps weekly until stain is removed.

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Helpful Tip: Bleach can cause natural stone tiles to deteriorate, so best to check on a small area first before proceeding to use this solution for regular cleaning.

Heavy Duty Toilet Bathroom Cleaner

Cleaning toilets may not sound ideal, but this solution tackles even the toughest stains, and does not require you to touch the toilet at all! 

What You’ll Need:

• Borax
• Vinegar
• Essential Oils (Optional)
• Spray Bottle
• Gloves and Mask
  

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Step-by-Step Process:

1. Wear gloves and a mask while handling borax and vinegar as these may irritate skin and lungs.
2. Mix together ¾ cup borax with 1 cup of vinegar in a spray bottle. Gently swirl to incorporate.
3. Add in essential oil, if using.
4. Spray the solution liberally around the toilet bowl, and on and under the rim.
5. Pour the remaining solution into the toilet bowl. 
6. Let the solution sit for 1 hour.
7. After 1 hour has passed, flush the toilet and rinse out the areas where the solution was applied.
8. Repeat weekly.

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Helpful Tip: Use the same solution on a cloth to wipe the toilet rim, lid, and outer surface. Don’t forget to sanitize the flush handle too!

Wall and Basin Cleaner

What You’ll Need:

• Baking Soda
• Castile Soap 
• Essential Oils (Optional)
• Distilled Water
• Sponge or Scrubber
• Mixing Bowl
• Mixing Spoon or Whisk
• Funnel
• Spray Bottle
  

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Step-by-Step Process:

1. In a bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and 2 tablespoons of castile soap into 1 liter of clean, distilled water.
2. Using a funnel, transfer the solution into a spray bottle.
3. Add in 20-30 drops of essential oils, if using. Gently shake or swirl to blend. 
4. Spray the solution on walls and basin areas, focusing on visible grime and debris.
5. Use a sponge, clean cloth, or scrubber to wipe the areas clean.
6. For stubborn buildup, use an old toothbrush to scrub away at the dirt. 
7. Repeat weekly, or as necessary.
   

Mirror and Chrome Fixture Cleaner

Mirror, mirror on the wall, can’t we get rid of grime at all? Of course we can! This cleaning solution polishes your mirrors and chrome fixtures for a streak-free, fingerprint-free shine. Best of all, it’s made with only one ingredient which you probably already have at home!

What You’ll Need:

• White Vinegar
• Essential Oil
• Distilled Water
• Mixing Bowl or Bottle
• Clean Non-fibrous Cloth
• Spray Bottle (Optional)
  

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Step-by-Step Process:

1. Dilute 2 tablespoons of white vinegar into 3 cups of clean, distilled water. 
2. Use the solution to clean mirrors and other chrome fixtures. 
3. Damp a clean, non-fibrous cloth with the solution, and wipe directly on the mirror, faucet, and even door handles. Or spray directly on fixtures and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

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Helpful Tip: Don’t like the smell of vinegar? Try using castile soap instead! Use 2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap for every 1 liter of water and follow the steps as directed.

Keeping Your Bathroom Clean and Spotless

More than making your own homemade bathroom cleaner alternatives, it also pays to perform quick and easy steps every day to keep your bathroom spotless. These include daily wiping, dusting and even washing.

For more handy tips and information about home and bathroom cleaning, visit our blog page!