This is the recipe we use during the DIY workshops of Mixua.
Supplies to make your own 500 ml all-purpose cleaner
Essential oils (preferably organic): 10 drops. Start with the minimum. We recommend: orange, grapefruit, lavender or eucalyptus.
350 ml demineralized water
150 ml household vinegar
Explanation ingredients of the DIY all-purpose cleaner
Essential oils lemon or orange or grapefruit: Essential oils from citrus fruits have a disinfecting and degreasing effect, refresh the environment and have a pleasant, invigorating scent.
Essential oil lavender or eucalyptus: These essential oils are antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal and have a pleasant, fresh scent. More information about essential oils can be found in this blog post.
Vinegar is degreasing, disinfecting, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and removes soap residue and limescale. Household vinegar is more concentrated = more powerful effect.
Demineralized water is less sensitive to bacterial and fungal growth than tap water; this means that the all-purpose cleaner has a longer shelf life.
Preparation DIY all-purpose cleaner
1. Measure in a measuring cup successively:
350 ml demineralized water
150 ml household vinegar
2. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and add essential oil:
10 drops of lemon or orange or grapefruit essential oil
10 drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil
3. Close the spray bottle and shake the mixture well. 4. The workshop host will also give you a sticker to put on the spray bottle: write down what the product is and when it was made (today's date).
Remarks:
Shelf life: The all-purpose cleaner has a shelf life of 6 months. To check whether the product is still good: look and smell.
Suitable for worktops, sink, ceramic tiles, shower, bath, ... but may not be used on natural stone. Shake the bottle before each use.
Preferably use organic essential oils.
Where can you find the ingredients?
Convenience stores or packaging-free shops
Drugstores: Di, Kruidvat, Holland & Barrett
All parapharmacies such as Medi-Marktet
Webshops such as Jojoli or Druantia
Good brands of essential oils are Phytosun or Pranarôm
Did you know... :
Instead of buying household vinegar, you can make your own herbal vinegar or lemon vinegar in advance (massage for at least 2 weeks).
You can also make an all-purpose cleaner based on Marseille soap, a very efficient and versatile soap made from vegetable oils. It exists in different forms, liquid and solid (in bars). It contains no animal fats or synthetic ingredients.
It is best not to use the all-purpose cleaner on mirrors and glass because it can leave a greasy layer on the mirrors due to the amount of essential oil.
Would you like to discover more sustainable tips?
More DIY recipes and tips can be found in the Mixua blog
Discover sustainable addresses in your region in the Mixua online discovery guide.
Join of our online workshops to (continue) exploring how to make a positive impact through your lifestyle