Looking to make an inexpensive, homemade bathroom cleaner spray without toxic chemicals? This blog is for you! No more buying multiple products to clean the bathroom. Here’s how to make the best bathroom cleaner with just 3 ingredients and 2 minutes!
Simply whisk together baking soda, castile soap, and water for a simple and effective DIY cleaning spray that can be used on all bathroom surfaces.
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In this blog, I’m outlining the exact steps to make the best all-purpose bathroom cleaner.
The Story Behind This Recipe…
- In 2014, I took the kids to a birthday party. The true highlight of the party was more than just a piece of cake or presents; it was the mom’s therapy.
- Each mom shamelessly chatted about the pile of dishes on the kitchen countertop at home and the never-ending laundry pile. There were moments of laughter about potty training and home messes—therapy at its finest.
- One topic we discussed was how hard it is to keep a bathroom clean with little kids at home. Boy, did this resonate with me!
- Since having children, we’ve made drastic changes to our lifestyle. Gone are the days of freezer pop-tarts and Tide laundry soap (trust me, that was a hard habit to quit.)
- As a family, we’ve embraced real food and natural cleaning, but under one condition: homemade alternatives must be more effective (or better tasting and satisfying in the case of food) than the toxic alternatives.
- This quest has led me to homemade scrub cleaner, homemade laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner, and so much more. It’s been freeing.
- So what’s a mom to do with a forever changed bathroom and the need for an effective homemade bathroom cleaner? Experiment, of course!
- After much experimenting, I created an all-in-one homemade bathroom cleaner that’s simple and effective. A cleaner that works so effectively, I must share for the sake of all the parents out there!
- Think of this cleaner as bathroom therapy and mess relief in a little homemade bottle. Over the years, many people have made and loved this cleaner. I hope you will, too!
Key Takeaways
- All-Purpose Cleaner – This cleaning spray is an all-in-one product, because it literally does it all! It’s one of the best homemade bathroom cleaners for this reason.
- Simple Ingredients – All you need is a few natural ingredients: castile soap, baking soda, water, and (optional) essential oils.
- Shelf Life – If you use distilled water (found in any grocery store), this recipe will last for up to 1 month.
Before You Get Started: Ingredients & Tools
- 2 tablespoons Liquid Castile Soap
- 1 tablespoon Baking Soda
- 2 cups Warm Water – Distilled water is the best option for safety reasons, which you’ll find at any grocery store.
- 30 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil (Optional for extra cleaning power)
- 20 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil (Optional, or use your favorite essential oil for scent)
- 16-ounce Spray Bottle
Ingredient 1: Liquid Castile Soap
- Ancient & Natural – Castile soap is a plant-based soap made from vegetable oils (olive, coconut, palm) and plant oils. It’s been around since the 11th century and was first made in the Aleppo of the Levant region (modern-day Syria). The Crusaders learned about this soap, which was eventually brought to Europe and spread worldwide. Today, find it in most grocery stores.What is castile soap?
- Multiple Uses – Castile soap is versatile (you can use it to make multiple DIY cleaners and body products), inexpensive, and completely natural.
- Incredible Cleaning Power – Castile soap quickly picks up dirt, bacteria, and cleans grime from surfaces. It doesn’t kill bacteria, but it does easily lift and remove bacteria from surfaces. Antibacterial products, on the other hand, are designed to kill bacteria (not lift and remove the bacteria from the surface, as soap does).
- Learn More: 7 castile soap cleaning recipes & 24 castile soap uses for body and cleaning.
Ingredient 2: Baking Soda
- Underrated – Baking soda is a cheap, powerful, underrated cleaning ingredient.
- Incredible Cleaning Power – It cleans, deodorizes, and lifts odors, brightens and removes stains and soap scum, and freshens.
- Many Cleaning Uses – When used in the bathroom, baking soda is a deodorizer to lift stains and smells trapped on bathroom surfaces (and we all know how sticky a bathroom can get!). Also use baking soda to clean a toilet, remove stubborn dirt and grease, and lift odors.
- Learn More: 19 Frugal Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda
Ingredient 3: Warm Water
- Dissolves Baking Soda – Baking soda needs warm water to dissolve and make a spray cleaner.
- Distilled Water is Best – Tap water may contain pathogens that quickly grow in a water-based solution. For this reason, it’s always best to use distilled water, which has been heated to such a degree that the process kills bacteria and limits the ability for bacteria to grow in your homemade cleaning product. Distilled water also doesn’t contain any minerals, so it won’t leave behind mineral deposit spots on surfaces.
- How to Find Distilled Water- You can buy a gallon of distilled water at any grocery store.
- Learn More: How to Safely Make Homemade Cleaners
Ingredient 4: Essential Oils
- Cleaning Properties – Tea tree and orange essential oils are added to this recipe for their cleaning properties.
- Optional – If you don’t have essential oils on hand, or don’t want to buy essential oils, you can skip them.
- Unscented Option – If you skip the oils, the cleaner won’t have any scent (unless you use scented castile soap).
- Use Your Favorite Essential Oils – You could also use other essential oils, like lavender essential oil, grapefruit essential oil, peppermint essential oil, or eucalyptus essential oil.
- Learn More: Natural Cleaning with Essential Oils 101
Tool: 16-Ounce Spray Bottle
- Use any leftover 16-ounce spray bottle to make and store this recipe. If the spray bottle was previously used for a different cleaner, make sure it’s been thoroughly rinsed to avoid any chemical combinations with the previous cleaner.
- I’ve been using glass spray bottles from Amazon (this brand) for years. You can also make your own spray bottle with a leftover vinegar bottle and spray nozzle.
How to Make Homemade Bathroom Cleaner: Step By Step Guide
Making this recipe is super easy. It only takes 2-5 minutes. As soon as you make the spray, it’s ready to be used.
- Step 1 Add Warm Water and Baking Soda – Pour the warm water (heat the water in the microwave or on the stove-top until warm) into the spray bottle, followed by the baking soda. Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients.
- Step 2 Add Castile Soap and Essential Oils & Shake – Add 2 tablespoons of castile soap and essential oils, gently shaking the bottle to combine the ingredients.
How to Use
This spray truly does it all! The simple ingredients clean up dirt, grease, odors, or mystery liquids that may be lurking inside your bathroom. Here’s where and how to use this cleaner…
- tub (I also love this tub scrub)
- shower
- tile
- grout
- toilet (and I love this toilet bowl cleaner)
- sink
- bathroom fixtures (faucet, shower head, etc.)
- tile floors
- This cleaner also works wonderfully as a stain remover for carpets and rugs! Spray on the stain, then wipe clean. I also love this stain remover spray.
To Clean Surfaces – Shake the bottle before using. Spray the surface, allow the solution to rest for a minute, then wipe with a damp cloth. Rinse the cloth as needed, and wipe the surface with the damp cloth until clean.
How to Store
- 1 Month – Since this product contains water, natural ingredients, and no preservatives, it’s best to store this product for only a few weeks (up to 1 month if using distilled water).
- Use Your Senses – If the cleaner ever smells off, has black spots or fuzzy growth, toss the cleaner and make a new batch. I’ve never had this happen, but it’s worth mentioning just for safety reasons.
What to Avoid Doing
- Vinegar & Baking Soda – Never add vinegar to this recipe. Vinegar and baking soda cancel each other and will result in an ineffective product. Learn more about this reaction.
- Use Tap Water – Tap water may contain pathogens that quickly grow in a water-based solution. Distilled water is always the safety option for homemade cleaner. Learn about homemade cleaners and safety.
- Use Hard Water – When hard water (from the tap) and castile mix together, the end result is a film left on surfaces. While this isn’t harmful or permanent, it is annoying. To avoid this, use distilled water.
- Use Room Temperature Water – The baking soda needs to be mixed with warm water to properly dissolve. Warm the water in the microwave or stove-top before adding to the mixture. If you’re concerned about the glass spray bottle breaking (or if using a plastic spray bottle), dissolve the water and baking soda in a separate bowl, then add to the spray bottle of choice once it cools.
How to Prevent Common Recipe Problems
- Hard Water & Castile Soap – Some folks find castile soap leaves behind a cloudy surface film, like a white residue. This issue is caused by the castile soap interacting with hard water, and the surface may need to be wiped down a few times with a damp washcloth. Another way to avoid this issue is to use distilled water. Or, switch over to an All-Purpose Spray with Vinegar.
- Baking Soda Clogging The Spray Bottle – Use warm enough water to dissolve the baking soda. This solution should prevent the spray bottle nozzle from clogging. I’ve had great success with these bottles over the years.
- Separation & Settling – This recipe is a natural product, so expect some settling and separation. Shake the bottle between uses.
FAQs
- I had problems with the baking soda clogging up my sprayers and ruining them. Any suggestions? Try dissolving the baking soda with really hot water first, then adding the solution to the spray bottle. This should prevent such an issue. Another option is to use less baking soda.
- Could I use different dish detergent than castile soap for bathroom cleaning? Yes, you can use any natural dish soap or your favorite dish soap instead of the castile soap.
- Could you please write a recipe for natural daily shower spray? My favorite option is vinegar mixed with about 30-60 drops of tea tree essential oil for the mold. Combine the two ingredients in a spray bottle. This recipe is found in my Natural Cleaning Course.
- Would it be alright to substitute grapefruit essential oil instead of the orange in the bathroom cleaner recipe? Yes, you can use any essential oil. If you have pets or children at home, do you research on the safest options (many essential oils can’t be used around cats or small children).
All-In-One Homemade Bathroom Cleaner Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water distilled water is best
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons castile soap
- 30 drops tea tree essential oil (optional)
- 20 drops sweet orange essential oil (optional, or your favorite essential oil for scent)
Instructions
- Warm the water in the microwave or on the stove-top.
- Pour the warm water into the bottle, followed by the baking soda. If you're concerned about the glass spray bottle breaking (or if using a plastic spray bottle), dissolve the water and baking soda in a separate bowl, then add to the spray bottle of choice once it cools.
- Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. Add the castile soap and essential oils, gently shaking the bottle to combine.
How to Use:
- Use this spray to clean the tub, tile, toilet, sink, and even floor (particularly around the toilet.) Spray the surface, allow the cleaner to sit for a minute, then wipe with a damp cloth. Rinse the cloth as needed.
Notes
FREE RECIPE DOWNLOAD
4 Must-Make Natural Cleaners for Your Home
Favorite Bathroom Cleaners
- Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- How to Naturally Clean & Disinfect Your Toilet
- Homemade All Purpose Spray With White Vinegar (great for mold and mildew or a daily homemade shower cleaner)
- Orange Peel Vinegar Spray (use leftover oranges and lemons to make this all-purpose spray)
- Tub and Sink Scrub
- Window and Glass Cleaner (also works for glass shower doors )
- 6 Homemade Air Freshener Ideas
- How to Make Homemade Floor Cleaner
Hi I’m really looking forward to try your recipes 🙂
Hey Del, Awesome, enjoy!!
I have had problems with the baking soda clogging up my sprayers and ruining them. Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas?
try melting the baking soda with really hot water first thats what i do