5 DIY eco friendly cleaning products (That Will Save You €270 a Year)

Cleaning. It’s one of those chores we all have to do, but let’s be honest – no one really leaps out of bed on a Saturday morning, shouting, “Hooray! It’s scrubbing day!” And when you’re staring at the rows of overpriced, chemical-laden products in the supermarket, it’s easy to feel like cleaning is both an environmental and financial black hole.

But with a little ingenuity and some basic ingredients, you can whip up your own eco-friendly cleaning products that are as kind to the planet as they are to your purse. Bonus: they smell delightful (if you’re a fan of essential oils) and won’t leave your home smelling like a science experiment gone wrong.

Here are vife easy DIY cleaning recipes that are non-toxic, eco-friendly and made in minutes.

1. DIY All-Purpose Spray: The Jack-of-All-Trades

The all-purpose cleaner is the Swiss Army knife of the cleaning world, tackling everything from countertops to sticky kitchen cupboards. And the best part? You only need a couple of cheap ingredients to make your own.

⚠️A Quick Science Note: You might see some recipes online telling you to mix vinegar and baking soda together in a bottle. Don’t do it! Because vinegar is an acid and baking soda is a base, they instantly neutralize each other. Chemically speaking, you just end up with salty water—which won’t clean a thing—and a bottle that might explode from the trapped gas. Let’s keep them separate for maximum cleaning power!

What you need:

• 60 ml of white vinegar
• 150 ml of water
• 10-15 drops of essential oil (lavender, tea tree, or lemon work wonders)
• A spray bottle (reuse an old one if you can!)

How to make it:

1. Combine the vinegar and water in your spray bottle.
2. Add the essential oil for a lovely, natural scent.
3. Give it a shake, and you’re done!

How to use it: Spray on surfaces like countertops, sinks, and tiles. Wipe clean with a reusable cloth (one of the best eco friendly alternatives to paper towels), and enjoy your sparkling home.

Why it’s great: A homemade cleaning product with vinegar is an excellent hero for wiping out all limescale, plus it’s 100% biodegradable. It might smell a bit sharp at first, but the essential oils and the amount of water will help mask that, leaving your home smelling fresh and clean. Plus, it costs pennies compared to those chemical-laden store-bought cleaners.

Reading tip: Spring Cleaning Checklist: Sweep away the dust and bring in the freshness!

2. Natural Toilet Cleaner: The Throne Deserves Respect

If you want to keep your porcelain throne pristine, then use this simple recipe that ditches the hard chemicals leaving you the Queen/King of the smallest dominion in your house. 

What you need:

• ½ cup of baking soda
• ¼ cup of white vinegar
• 10 drops of eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil (optional but recommended)

How to make it:

1. Pour the baking soda into the toilet bowl.
2. Add the vinegar and watch as it fizzes like a science fair volcano. 
3. Add a few drops of essential oil for a lovely scent and antibacterial benefits.
4. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then scrub with a toilet brush and flush.

Why it’s great: While mixing vinegar and baking soda in a bottle is a bad idea, adding them directly into the toilet bowl is fantastic. This cleaner is all-natural and cuts through stains and odours without sending a cocktail of chemicals into the water supply. The fizzing action makes you feel like a cleaning wizard, and eucalyptus or tea tree oils give it a refreshing, spa-like scent which makes sending your loyal subjects on their way so much more enjoyable.

3. Non-Toxic Glass Cleaner: No More Streaky Panes

Have you ever cleaned a window or mirror only to end up with more streaks than when you started? Frustrating, isn’t it? This DIY glass cleaner is here to save the day (and your sanity).

What you need:

• ½ cup of white vinegar
• ½ cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol (optional, for quicker drying)
• 1 tsp of liquid wash soap 
• A reusable spray bottle
• A microfibre cloth or an old newspaper (grandma’s tip) 

How to make it:

1. Mix the vinegar, water, wash soap and rubbing alcohol in your spray bottle.
2. Give it a good shake, and it’s ready to use.

How to use it: Spray onto glass surfaces, then wipe with your cloth or newspaper. If you’re using newspaper, another cheap eco-friendly alternative to paper towels, be prepared to feel oddly nostalgic and virtuous at the same time.

Why it’s great: Unlike conventional glass cleaners that contain ammonia and other nasties, this DIY version is non-toxic and biodegradable. It leaves your windows and mirrors sparkling without that weird chemical smell, and the rubbing alcohol helps it dry faster, reducing streaks.

Reading tip Microplastics at Home: Where They Hide (and What You Can Actually Do About It)

4. DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent: The Marseille Soap Miracle

Commercial laundry detergents are expensive and usually packed in heavy plastic jugs. Did you know you can make 5 liters of eco-friendly, hypoallergenic laundry soap from just a single block of Marseille soap? It costs next to nothing and works like a charm.

🧼 Is Marseille soap safe for washing machines? Yes, absolutely! Because authentic Marseille soap contains no synthetic additives, palm oil, or animal fats, it dissolves beautifully and won’t clog your machine. Just make sure to use a cheese grater to turn the block into fine flakes.

What you need:

•  80 grams of authentic Marseille soap (grated into flakes)
•  5 liters of water
•  4 tablespoons of baking soda (optional, for extra brightening power on white wash)
•  20 drops of essential oil (lavender or eucalyptus works brilliantly)
•  A large bucket or pan, and old detergent bottles to store it

How to make it:

•  Bring 1 liter of water to a boil in a large pan.
•  Turn down the heat, add the grated Marseille soap, and stir until completely dissolved.
•  If using baking soda, stir it in now until dissolved.
•  Add the remaining 4 liters of warm water and stir well.
•  Let the mixture cool down overnight. It will thicken into a gel-like consistency.
•  Stir in your essential oils, give it a good mix (or use a hand blender if it’s too thick), and pour it into your reusable bottles.

How to use it: Use it exactly like normal liquid detergent. Add one capful (about 60–100 ml) directly into your washing machine’s detergent compartment. Give the bottle a quick shake before each use.

Why it’s great: Marseille soap is completely biodegradable, plastic-free, and incredibly gentle on sensitive skin. It gets rid of stains naturally without poisoning the waterways, and cutting your detergent costs from €12.50 to €1.10 per 5 liters is the ultimate budget victory.

5. Zero Waste Dishwasher Tablets

Cut down on packaging waste and avoid harsh chemicals by making your own dishwasher tablets. These are simple to create, highly cost-effective, and leave your dishes sparkling clean without harmful residues.

What you need:

•  2 cups washing soda
•  1 cup baking soda
•  1 cup citric acid
•  ½ cup coarse salt
•  10–20 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional, for fragrance)
•  ½ cup water (adjust as needed)

💡 Thyme & Lime Budget Hack: You can actually make washing soda at home for pennies by baking standard baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in the oven at 200°C for about an hour. This process removes carbon dioxide and water, transforming it into powerful washing soda

How to make it:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the washing soda, baking soda, citric acid, and salt. Mix well.
• Gradually add water a tiny bit at a time, mixing continuously. The mixture should feel like wet sand and hold its shape when squeezed.
• Add essential oils if desired, stirring them evenly into the mixture.
• Press the mixture into an ice cube tray or silicone mold. Pack it down as tightly as possible.
• Let the tablets dry for 24–48 hours in a cool, dry place.
• Once completely dry, pop the tablets out of the mold and store them in an airtight container.

Why it’s great: Traditional dishwasher tabs come wrapped in individual plastics and cost a fortune per wash. These homemade tabs use the natural cutting power of citric acid and washing soda to banish grease for just €0.06 a load, leaving zero toxic residue on the plates you eat from.

Why DIY Cleaning Products Are a Lifesaver 

Making your own cleaning products isn’t just about saving money (although that’s a nice bonus). It’s about saying goodbye to single-use plastic bottles and hello to a cleaner, greener home. And let’s not forget the immense satisfaction of knowing you’ve made something useful with your own two hands.

So, next time you’re in cleaning mode, give these recipes a go. You’ll be reducing waste, cutting down on chemicals, and proving to yourself (and possibly your nosy neighbour) that being eco-friendly doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, it can be downright fun.

Reading tip:  Your Yearly Home Maintenance Planner + free checklist