Frogwise

Sustainable living · Cleaning

Build your own cleaning cupboard

A minimal, effective set of ingredients that cleans most of a home without plastic waste or mystery chemistry.

Last reviewed September 2026.

Why make your own?

Most households use between fifteen and thirty different cleaning products, many of them specialised for one surface and one problem. The result is a cupboard full of partly used bottles, each with its own fragrance, preservative system and plastic bottle.

A small set of simple ingredients can replace the majority of them. The recipes below are not about perfection or going fully zero-waste overnight; they are about reducing what you buy, understanding what you use, and getting the job done with less.

If you prefer to buy ready-made while you transition, our review of Sonett is the bridge we recommend.

The eight ingredients

These cover the jobs most cupboards need. Buy them in the largest practical size to cut packaging, then refill smaller containers at home.

Liquid castile soap

All-purpose surfactant

A plant-based, unscented soap. It lifts grease and dirt from most surfaces and is the base for sprays, floor cleaner and hand wash.

White vinegar

Descaler and degreaser

Cuts limescale, soap scum and hard-water deposits. Do not use on marble, granite, unsealed stone, or aluminium — the acid can etch them.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

Mild abrasive and deodoriser

A soft scratch for sinks, hobs and baths. It also neutralises odours in drains, bins and soft furnishings.

Washing soda (sodium carbonate)

Stronger degreaser and water softener

More alkaline than baking soda, so better for oily jobs and laundry. Wear gloves and keep it away from children and pets.

Citric acid

Descaler and rust remover

Works faster than vinegar on kettles, taps and shower heads. Rinse well afterwards.

Olive or sunflower oil

Wood conditioner and polish base

A tiny amount mixed with vinegar or lemon juice feeds wooden boards and furniture. Use sparingly — too much leaves a greasy film.

Hydrogen peroxide 3%

Stain and mould treatment

Optional. Useful for grout, cutting boards and minor stains. Store in an opaque bottle away from heat and light; never mix with vinegar.

Essential oils

Scent and mild antimicrobial boost

Optional. Tea tree, lavender and eucalyptus add scent and a little extra antibacterial action. They are not a substitute for disinfecting a contaminated surface.

Six recipes

Every recipe uses metric measurements and common household tools. Start with small batches until the routine fits your home.

All-purpose spray

Countertops, tables, handles, painted walls

Ingredients

  • 500 ml warm water
  • 2 tbsp liquid castile soap
  • 1 tsp washing soda or baking soda
  • 10 drops essential oil (optional)

Method

  1. Dissolve the soda in warm water.
  2. Add the soap and swirl gently — do not shake hard or it will foam too much.
  3. Add essential oil if you want scent.
  4. Pour into a spray bottle and label it.

Note. For a lighter version, halve the soap. This is not a disinfectant; it removes dirt and some bacteria by washing them away.

Glass and mirror spray

Windows, mirrors, glass tables

Ingredients

  • 250 ml water
  • 125 ml white vinegar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch or potato starch

Method

  1. Shake the starch into the vinegar until it dissolves.
  2. Add the water and mix.
  3. Spray sparingly and wipe with a lint-free cloth or old newspaper.

Note. The tiny amount of starch prevents streaks. Avoid using on hot glass or in direct sunlight.

Gentle scrub paste

Sinks, baths, hobs, grout lines

Ingredients

  • 1 cup baking soda
  • 1/4 cup castile soap
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 10 drops tea tree oil (optional)

Method

  1. Stir everything into a thick paste the consistency of toothpaste.
  2. Spread onto the surface, leave for five minutes, then scrub with a sponge or brush.
  3. Rinse thoroughly.

Note. Test on a small hidden area first on delicate plastics or enamel. It is abrasive, so it can dull very soft finishes over time.

Floor cleaner

Tile, laminate, sealed wood, vinyl

Ingredients

  • 4 litres warm water
  • 2 tbsp castile soap
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar

Method

  1. Add the soap and vinegar to a bucket of warm water.
  2. Mop as usual. No need to rinse unless the floor feels sticky.

Note. Use less soap on laminate and wood; too much leaves a residue. Do not use vinegar on unsealed wood, cork or stone floors.

Toilet fizzies

Toilet bowl freshening and light limescale

Ingredients

  • 1 cup baking soda
  • 1/2 cup citric acid
  • 1 tbsp castile soap
  • Silicone mould or ice cube tray

Method

  1. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Drizzle in the soap slowly while stirring; the mixture will fizz.
  3. Press firmly into moulds and dry overnight.
  4. Drop one into the bowl, let it fizz, then scrub and flush.

Note. These tackle freshness and light scale. For a badly stained bowl, use a proper toilet brush and a stronger cleaner rather than expecting a fizzing tablet to do everything.

Wood polish

Wooden furniture, cutting boards, dining tables

Ingredients

  • 1 cup olive or sunflower oil
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar or lemon juice
  • 5 drops lemon essential oil (optional)

Method

  1. Mix in a jar and shake before each use.
  2. Apply a very small amount to a soft cloth and rub with the grain.
  3. Buff with a clean, dry cloth.

Note. Use a tiny amount. Excess oil attracts dust and can go rancid. Keep in the fridge if you make a large batch.

Starter shopping list

Buy once, refill often. Most of these keep for a year or more in a cool, dry cupboard.

  • Liquid castile soap, 1 litre
  • White vinegar, 1–2 litres
  • Baking soda, 1 kg
  • Washing soda, 1 kg
  • Citric acid, 500 g
  • Hydrogen peroxide 3%, 250 ml (optional)
  • Olive or sunflower oil, small bottle
  • Essential oils of choice (optional)
  • Reusable spray bottles, 3–4
  • Glass jar for scrub paste
  • Silicone mould for toilet fizzies
  • Labels and a marker
  • Rubber gloves

Safety first

  • Never mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in the same bottle — the combination can create irritants.
  • Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or acids. This site does not recommend bleach, but if you ever use it, keep it strictly separate.
  • Label every bottle with the contents and the date. A mystery spray is a safety hazard.
  • Keep citric acid, washing soda and essential oils away from children and pets.
  • Test any new cleaner on a small, hidden area first, especially on stone, wood and plastics.
  • Natural does not mean harmless. Concentrated vinegar, washing soda and essential oils can all irritate skin, eyes and lungs.

Storage and labelling

Reuse spray bottles and jars rather than buying new ones. A permanent marker and masking tape is enough for a label. Write the recipe name, the date it was mixed, and the main ingredients.

Keep acids (vinegar, citric acid) and alkalis (washing soda, baking soda) in separate spots so they do not accidentally mix. Store hydrogen peroxide in an opaque bottle away from sunlight.

Mix small batches. A spray bottle of all-purpose cleaner will keep for two to four weeks; after that it can start to smell off or lose effectiveness.

When to buy instead of make

DIY cleaners handle daily dirt and light scale well. They do not replace a disinfectant when someone in the home is immunocompromised or when a surface has been in contact with raw meat or bodily fluids. In those cases, use a product specifically formulated and tested for that job.

Likewise, do not try to make your own oven cleaner, drain opener or mould treatment for serious problems. Some jobs are genuinely better handled by stronger, professionally formulated products used exactly as directed.

Medical disclaimer: this guide is for general cleaning and maintenance. It is not medical or safety advice for specific health conditions. When in doubt, consult the product safety data sheet or a professional.

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