Keeping your floors clean can seem like a never-ending chore. Dirt, dust, and grime accumulate quickly and regular mopping is a must. Instead of using harsh chemical cleaners, try making your own homemade floor cleaner. A DIY floor cleaner is easy to whip up with ingredients you likely already have at home. It’s also inexpensive, non-toxic, and works great on a variety of floor types.
Benefits of a Homemade Floor Cleaner
There are many benefits to making your own DIY floor cleaner rather than buying a commercial product:
- Cost effective – Homemade cleaners are much cheaper than store-bought since you’re using ingredients you already have at home. No need to continually buy new products.
- Non-toxic – Many commercial cleaners contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, and other additives. A homemade cleaner is made with simple, natural ingredients that are safer for people, pets, and the environment.
- Tailored formula – You can customize your cleaner to your specific needs and floors. Add essential oils for fragrance or ingredients like vinegar for extra grime-fighting power.
- Eco-friendly – DIY cleaners reduce plastic waste from single-use bottles. The ingredients are also biodegradable.
- Works on all floors – A good homemade cleaner can be used on hardwood, tile, laminate, vinyl, and other sealed flooring. No need for specialized products for each surface.
Choosing the Right Ingredients
Making an effective floor cleaner is easy with just a few simple ingredients:
- Water – Forms the base of the cleaner. Warm water can help dissolve and lift dirt.
- Castile soap – Made from natural oils. Helps cut through grease and grime.
- White vinegar – Acidic properties help remove buildup and disinfect floors.
- Baking soda – Gentle abrasive that scrubs away stubborn dirt and stains.
- Essential oils (optional) – Add a fresh, natural scent. Lemon, lavender, peppermint are popular choices.
Avoid mixing certain ingredients like vinegar and bleach that can create toxic fumes. Test any cleaner in an inconspicuous area first.
How to Make a Homemade Floor Cleaner
Making a homemade floor cleaner takes just a few minutes. Here is an easy recipe and directions:
Ingredients:
- 2 gallons (8 liters) warm water
- 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 10-15 drops essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
- Fill a bucket with 2 gallons of warm water. Hot water helps dissolve dirt.
- Add the castile soap and stir gently to combine. The soap helps lift grease and grime.
- Pour in the vinegar and baking soda. Vinegar disinfects while baking soda scrubs.
- Stir in 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil for a fresh scent. Lemon or lavender oils work well.
- Dip a microfiber mop or cloth into the solution and mop floors as usual.
- For high-traffic areas, sprinkle baking soda directly on the floor. Let sit 5-10 minutes before mopping.
- Rinse the mop head frequently as you clean. Re-wet and continue mopping floors until the water stays clear.
- Allow floors to air dry completely.
Tips:
- Sweep floors first to remove loose dirt and debris. This allows the cleaner to work on stuck-on grime.
- Work in sections and rinse the mop often for best results.
- For tough stains, let the cleaner sit for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing.
- Re-mop heavily used floors more frequently.
- Always patch test in an inconspicuous area first.
- Store unused cleaner sealed in the bucket up to 2 weeks.
Additional Recipes
Feel free to customize your homemade floor cleaner with different ingredient ratios depending on your needs:
All-Purpose Cleaner:
- 2 gallons water
- 1/2 cup castile soap
- 1/2 cup vinegar
Disinfecting Cleaner:
- 2 gallons water
- 1/2 cup castile soap
- 1 cup vinegar
Scrubbing Cleaner:
- 2 gallons water
- 1/2 cup castile soap
- 1 cup baking soda
Clean & Shine:
- 2 gallons water
- 1/4 cup castile soap
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
FAQs
How often should I mop floors with a homemade cleaner?
How often you need to clean depends on traffic, pets, kids, and overall dirtiness. For light cleaning, mop 1-2 times per week. Heavily soiled floors may need daily cleaning.
What floors can I use a DIY cleaner on?
Homemade cleaners are safe for sealed hardwood, laminate, tile, vinyl, and most other hard surface floors. Don’t use on unfinished wood or stone. Always test first.
Is it better to use warm or cold water?
Warm water is better at dissolving and lifting away grime. But you can use cool water if needed. Avoid hot water as this can leave floors streaky.
Can I add essential oils to homemade floor cleaner?
Yes, add 5-15 drops of essential oils like lemon, lavender, eucalyptus, or peppermint for a fresh, natural scent. Be sure to dilute in water first.
Why use castile soap in a floor cleaner recipe?
Castile soap is made from plant-based oils so it’s a natural, non-toxic choice. It helps cut through grease and lift dirt without leaving residue.
How do I know if my floors are clean after mopping?
Floors are clean when the mop rinse water runs clear and free of dirt. Over time, homemade cleaner builds up floors’ shine.
Conclusion
Cleaning floors doesn’t require expensive store-bought products filled with harsh chemicals. With simple ingredients like castile soap, vinegar, and baking soda, you can easily whip up an effective homemade DIY floor cleaner. Homemade cleaners are inexpensive to make, safe for people and pets, and work on all types of hard surface flooring. Customize your own formula to suit your cleaning needs. And enjoy clean floors without toxins and plastic waste. A little mopping with your homemade concoction keeps floors fresh all week long.