I used to think a clean home meant a cabinet overflowing with expensive, harsh chemicals. I was wrong.
It felt like for every single surface, there was a special spray, wipe, or powder I was supposed to buy. The marketing tells you that you need one thing for glass, another for wood, a third for the bathroom tiles, and a fourth for the kitchen counter. It’s exhausting and expensive. When I started my journey to overhaul my life, I looked at everything that was making me feel overwhelmed. The constant cycle of unhealthy habits wasn't just about what I was eating or how I was spending my time. It was also about the environment I was living in.
As I worked on shedding over 110 pounds and building a life of intention and purpose, I realized I wanted to simplify everything. That included the products I brought into my home. Taking control of my health meant being more aware of what I was breathing in, not just what I was putting in my body. Creating my own cleaning solutions became a small but powerful act. It was a way to save money, reduce chemicals, and bring a little more peace and order into my space. It's amazing how clearing the clutter under your sink can help clear the clutter in your mind.
The Simple Toolkit for a Naturally Clean Home
You don’t need a huge arsenal of products. In fact, you can handle about 90% of your household cleaning with just a few simple, inexpensive ingredients. You probably have most of them in your pantry right now.
My go-to ingredients are:
- Distilled White Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Castile Soap
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Lemon Juice
- Olive Oil
That’s it. With these basics, you can mix up a solution for almost any cleaning task you have. Get a few spray bottles, label them clearly, and you’re ready to go.
10 DIY Cleaning Recipes That Actually Work
Here are the tried-and-true recipes I use every week. They are simple, effective, and get the job done without the overpowering chemical smells.
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Everyday All-Purpose Cleaner. This is my workhorse. I use it for kitchen counters, spills on the floor, and wiping down surfaces. In a spray bottle, mix one part white vinegar and one part water. If the vinegar smell is too strong for you, you can add a few drops of a simple essential oil like lemon or lavender just for the scent.
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Streak-Free Glass Cleaner. Forget the blue stuff. In a spray bottle, combine one cup of water, two tablespoons of vinegar, and one-quarter cup of rubbing alcohol. Shake it up. Spray it on windows, mirrors, or glass tabletops and wipe with a microfiber cloth for a perfect, streak-free shine.
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Heavy-Duty Scouring Scrub. For soap scum in the bathtub, grimy sinks, or tough spots on the stove, this paste works wonders. Make a thick paste with baking soda and a small amount of castile soap. Apply it to the surface, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a sponge. It lifts grime without scratching.
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Garbage Disposal and Drain Freshener. If your kitchen sink starts to smell a little funky, this is the fix. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. It will fizz and bubble up. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then flush it with very hot water.
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Simple Wood Polish. Keep your wood furniture looking nourished. Mix one-quarter cup of olive oil with a few tablespoons of lemon juice in a small bowl. Dab a soft cloth into the mixture and rub it into the wood, following the grain. Buff it with a clean, dry cloth.
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Grout and Tile Cleaner. Dingy grout can make a whole bathroom look old. Create a paste using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Apply it to the grout lines with an old toothbrush, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then scrub and rinse well.
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Kitchen Grease Cutter. For greasy stovetops or backsplashes, this is my go-to. Fill a spray bottle with hot water and a good squirt of your favorite dish soap. Spray it generously on the greasy area and sprinkle a little baking soda on top. Let it sit for a moment, then wipe away with a damp cloth. The grease comes right off.
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Carpet and Rug Deodorizer. This couldn’t be easier. Sprinkle baking soda liberally all over your carpets or area rugs. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (an hour is even better), then vacuum it up thoroughly. It absorbs odors and leaves the room smelling fresh.
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Effective Toilet Bowl Cleaner. Pour about one cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl and let it sit for about an hour. Then, sprinkle in a generous amount of baking soda. It will fizz. Use your toilet brush to scrub the bowl and then flush. It disinfects and cleans without harsh bleach.
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Stainless Steel Shiner. After you’ve cleaned your stainless steel appliances with your all-purpose spray, put a few drops of olive oil on a clean microfiber cloth. Wipe down the appliance, moving with the grain of the steel. It removes fingerprints and leaves a beautiful, protective shine.
Creating a Sanctuary
For me, cleaning isn’t just a chore anymore. It’s part of how I care for my home and my family. When I was struggling with bad habits, my surroundings often reflected my inner state: messy and chaotic. Taking the time to create a clean and orderly home became an act of self-respect. It was a physical expression of the new, intentional life I was building.
It reminds me of the importance of stewardship, of being a good caretaker of the blessings God has given us, including our homes. A clean, peaceful space is a sanctuary—a place to rest, recharge, and connect with loved ones and with God. It doesn't need to be perfect, but it should feel like a place of peace.
So, where can you start? Don’t try to do everything at once. Just pick one.
What is one recipe from this list you could try this week? Maybe start with the all-purpose cleaner. Mix up a bottle and see how it feels to use something you made yourself. You might be surprised at how such a small, simple change can make a big difference.
