You probably already have all of the ingredients needed to make your homemade floor cleaner. This mopping solution gets your wood, tile, laminate or vinyl just as shiny and streak-free as the commercial stuff without introducing irritants to your home.
That’s one of the great things about making natural homemade cleaners: you don’t need a lot of different products that only clean one kind of surface. So, once you’ve got your standard cleaning ingredients on hand, it’s easy to mix up a variety of homemade cleaning products.
The Best Homemade Floor Cleaner
Safer for Indoor Air-Quality
Commercial cleaning products contribute significantly to indoor air pollution. For people with allergies or asthma, indoor air quality is critical to good health.
Companies that manufacture cleaning products aren’t required to disclose their ingredients on the label. As a result, there’s no way to tell at a glance whether a product contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may cause irritation or even cancer.
Switching to homemade natural cleaners lets you know exactly what you’re using in your home, so you can avoid dangerous combinations of cleaning ingredients that can harm your family’s health.
Easier on Your Budget
If that’s not enough to convince you to switch to a homemade floor cleaner, consider how much money you’ll save. The cost of commercial floor cleaners is crazy!
Using a Swiffer mop, for instance, runs about $0.32 per wet pad — and you have to use two or three of them in even a small kitchen or bathroom. Even bottles of commercial mopping products run anywhere from $4 to $15, depending on the brand.
Over time, those expenses add up. Cleaning shouldn’t cost a fortune, and it doesn’t when you use this homemade mopping solution.
Homemade Floor Cleaner for ALL Hard Flooring
This homemade mopping solution cleans any kind of hard flooring.
✓ It works on laminate.
✓ It works on hardwood.
✓ It works on vinyl, linoleum, and tile.
✓ Yep, you can use it on marble or granite.
✓ It even works on cement!
Have I mentioned that, after powering through grime, it also leaves a gorgeous shine?
It Works With Mopping Robots, Too!
I’ve written before about my search to find the best floor cleaning robots. One of my requirements was being able to use a homemade floor cleaner.
After spending that kind of money on a mopping robot, I didn’t want to be stuck buying a special floor cleaning solution or wet mopping pads all the time.
I’ve been using it in my mopping robot for over two years now, and I’m thrilled with the results.
Homemade Floor Cleaner Recipe
Homemade Floor Cleaner
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water
- 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 cup isopropyl (70%) rubbing alcohol
- 1/8 tsp liquid dish soap (See notes)
- 5-10 drops essential oils optional
Instructions
To Use in a Spray Bottle
- Add all of the ingredients above and gently swirl to mix. Lightly spray 3-foot sections then wipe with a mop. This is best for small areas or touch-up mopping.
To Use in a Bucket
- Scale the recipe depending on the size of your bucket. A 1-gallon bucket holds 128 ounces (US) to 160 ounces (UK). Use the “Serving Size” slider to select your needed amount. You may need to scale more than once to select your desired amount.
For Both Methods
- You do not need to rinse after use.
- Allow the floors to completely dry before walking on them.
- Store unused homemade floor cleaner in a cool, dark spot. Use within 1 month.
Notes
What the Ingredients Do
- Water: Loosens grime and acts helps the other ingredients combine.
- White vinegar: Degreases and provides mild disinfection. At this dilution, it’s safe for natural stone surfaces because it’s not acidic enough to cause etching. I’ve been using this on marble and granite for years without a problem. If you have any concerns, don’t use it.
- Isopropyl (70%) rubbing alcohol: Speeds up evaporation to avoid streaks. Degreases and helps disinfect. (In the UK, if you can’t find it inexpensively at the chemist it’s available online.)
- Liquid dish soap: Dissolves bonds between dirt and floor, degreases and cleans. Don’t use a dish soap that contains moisturizers, antibacterial ingredients, or “oxygen bleach.” I use Dawn Original (Classic). (Fairy is the UK substitute.) Please don’t swap Castille soap for the dish soap. Castille is an oil-based soap and will leave streaks and smears.
- Essential oils: Optional ingredient to offset the smell of vinegar and rubbing alcohol. If you have pets or children, verify the safety of any essential oil you use. Be sure they aren’t compounds (i.e., those with fragrance added to grapeseed or some other form of oil). I buy these from Amazon.
Remember, there are reasons for using the specific ingredients in this homemade cleaning recipe. If you change them, you’re changing the formula, and that may alter your results.
More How-Tos:
- Daily Cleaning Routine Checklist
- How to Clean a Mattress
- How to Clean a Keurig (even if you think it’s broken)
Pin this Homemade Floor Cleaner Recipe for later!
What is the serving size slider you mention on the directions for bucket use?
Hi Debbie,
In the recipe box where it says “22 ounces,” if you click on the number 22 you can adjust the amount as needed.
The manufacturer of my new laminate floor says not to use vinegar on them….any thoughts. I have always used vinegar to clean, but I am not sure at this point. Thanks for your thoughts!
Hi Dd,
If it’s against the manufacturer’s advice, then I’d try something else. Sam’s Club makes a fantastic, affordable laminate floor cleaner. It’s the pink one.
I bought a floor mopping robot. How much of the cleaner would I use in this.
Hi JodiAnnie,
There’s no need to dilute it, so just fill the robot’s tank. Mine takes about a cup for a full tank, and I save the rest for the next mopping session.
I just bought a Vorfruende spray mop with a refillable bottle.
I used your recipe, (cut it in half), and added a few drops of Lemon Essential Oil.
Just mopped the kitchen floor, and WOW!
It worked fantastic. My how how mopping has changed!
So glad to hear it, Bobby!
I was under the impression you could not use water on wood laminate floors. Is it truly safe?
Hi Vicki,
Most modern laminate is water-resistant, which means you can use a damp mop to clean it — like with the spray bottle method I’ve described. You don’t want to slosh water everywhere, obviously, just as you wouldn’t with a hardwood floor or even vinyl.
Just tried your formula. I used everything to your specifications and wow for tile floors.Worth the smelly part. It does go away. My problem is my ceramic living room floor.EVERYTHING LEAVES A FILM and they are very dark. Any ideas? Thank you Katie!
Hi Judy,
That haze on dark ceramic floors can be awful to deal with. One method involves using a gallon of water and 1/2 cup of household ammonia, which is fantastic at cutting through grime. Apply a generous amount of the mixed liquids to your floor and let that sit for a few minutes, then rinse your mop and bucket and use fresh water to re-mop the floor. Follow with a towel-drying to get it all up. You should only have to do this twice a year.
Let me just warn you, though: ammonia smells awful until it dries, and it can be highly irritating to eyes, skin, and lungs. So open the windows wide when you use it, and never, EVER use it at or near the same time you’ve used other cleaning products.
I tried this in hopes it will help keep my dogs from going to the potty on my laminate floors. I added orange essential oil because dogs aren’t supposed to like citrus, we will see. But all i smell is vinegar and i put 10 drops of oil in it. :/
Hi Felton,
The vinegar scent disappears as the cleaner dries. You might also want to check out my article on how to clean pet stains on laminate floors, where I share tips to keep dogs from returning to the wrong spot.
Hi I was wondering if I could use Sal suds instead of other dish soaps?
Hi Chelsie,
I haven’t tried Sals suds, so I don’t know the answer. There’s no reason you can’t give it a try, though.
Can I use a plant based dish soap?
Hi Shobah,
You can use any dish soap as long as it does not contain additional oils since they’ll leave streaks.
Hi, I really look forward to trying this! However, what is the “serving size slider’ you refer to? I’d like to do a gallon bucket, but don’t understand the scaling.
Thanks!
There is a serving size box in the recipe card which multiplies the ingredients for you. Or you can simply multiply them manually to whatever size you need.
I clean homes for a living and I am wanting to make my own natural cleaners and have mixed up before I go to the homes to clean. Would this recipe work with adding to small bucket of water as is or would I have to add all ingredients to the bucket.
Hi Joanna,
This isn’t a concentrated mix — it’s used at the exact strength described in the recipe. So, if you want to make a larger quantity, you need to multiply the ingredients, not add additional water. 🙂
Can you use 90% rubbing alcohol over the 70%?
You can, but keep a couple of things in mind. First, you’ll notice a far stronger alcohol scent. Also, I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re using this on hardwood floors since the higher alcohol concentration may affect the finish.
Used your recipe and it is great. I am a working mother with dogs and cats and have no time to make this every day. I would like to make a concentrate and put it in a big bottle so I just have to put water in a bucket and some liquid out of the bottle. How much should I use of what to make it more concentrated and use it for as long as possible before making a new batch?
Thank you. Daniella
It cannot be made more concentrated. You can adjust the amounts using the slider in the recipe card and, as stated, it can be stored up to one month.
This is a question, not a comment, but I hope you can help. When I brought my cat home from the vet he had peed in his carrier on the towels I had in there. It went through the towels and carrier and in the areas where I left the carrier sit (bad me) for a couple days I can smell urine. Can urine penetrate ceramic tile? What can I add to your formula to get that smell out of my tile floor?
I’d recommend following the steps in my article on pet stains.
UnbelIevable! This formula cleaned my grout!! And floors are nice and shiny! Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Hello, Katie. I mixed up a batch of your leaning solution, but I was wondering how such a small amount of liquid can be used to wash my whole kitchen floor? Am I supposed to use this undiluted or do I mix it in a bucket of water? How much water? Thanks so much, Gaye
You should multiply the recipe based on how much you need to do your floor. Everyone’s home is a different size, and everyone sprays or uses a different amount mopping, so the way to use this is by figuring out how much you need and multiplying the recipe. Kind of like when you’re serving a meal for a larger number of people than the original recipe indicates.
I have ethyl rubbing alcohol, will that work the same?
No.
Hi Katie,
I’ve just found your blog and recipe for a homemade floor cleaner – it sounds fantastic and I’m looking forward to trying it. I have some questions, but please forgive me if I’ve overlooked the answers in your post.. Is the made up solution diluted in a bucket of water, and if so, what are the ratios?
Also, how much area will the solution cover?
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, Eliza
There’s no dilution involved — just use the mixture straight. Due to that, there’s also no way to gauge how much area it will cover since some people use mops and others use spray bottles. Even the style of mop or strength of spray can change how much gets applied to the floor, and so the amount of area covered would change, too.
Have tried a number of DIY floor cleaner recipes, THIS one is the best! Was also pleasantly surprised that this quantity was enough to clean my whole (very dirty) big kitchen floor ! Thank you! I’ll be checking out everything else on your site!
I’m so glad you liked it. It’s my favorite, too!
Can you use the homemade floor cleaning recipe for luxury vinyl flooring?
Yes! I have Armstrong LVP throughout my house now and use this on my floors, whether I’m using a mop or my mopping robot.
Do you just spray this mixture on and the mop with hot water or what instructions do you have. Thank you, Rebecca Wines
You can spray it on and use a damp mop, or you can mix it in a bucket and dip your mop in it.
Question, would 2 drops of Lemon Oil per 100ml cause streaking e.g. 5 drops of lemon oil in a 500ml water bootle?
Or would 1 drop per 100ml be better?
Thanks for your help!
I would put 2 drops in 500 ml to start. If you want more fragrance, add more oil one drop at a time. Check for streaks after each addition.
I’ve read that your not supposed to use vinegar on granite. What am I missing?
Carolyn B
Straight vinegar, no, nor even a 50:50 mix. The amount of vinegar in this recipe is diluted so greatly, however, that it does not cause etching. If you’re very concerned, you could try using my DIY granite cleaner but I have not tried using that on floors.
Hope this is still an active blog!
I just purchased a Braava 380t, love it, and am experimenting with a few strategies. Also have an older Romba. At night, I’m alternating one on one side of the house and one on the other. Doing bathrooms and small den during the day.
None of the ingredients in your homemade mix will do any damage to the wheels? I’m thinking that even if it damaged the mophead, it would be inexpensive to replace that. I have run it in dry mop mode with the (manufacture’s wet) cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide and I found that it goes too fast to remove some spots and left streaks. May try rubbing alcohol in dry mop mode for quick, targeted areas.
Do you have more than one cube? I have a very open floorplan with some angles to it and I’m thinking that I should get a second cube.
Thank you so much for your help.
I use this in my Braava 380t without a problem. From what I can tell, the mop head has to be replaced every few months regardless of what solution you use. I don’t store the mop with any cleaner remaining in the head having learned about the design flaw early on.
If you put it into mopping mode, the Braava goes slower and in a Y-shape, so it also scrubs the floor while it mops. The rubbing alcohol in my floor cleaner helps it to dry faster, so it doesn’t streak. Also be sure to change your pad every 15 minutes or so — a dirty pad will leave streaks, which is true of any mop.
TBH, I don’t even bother with the cube anymore. My bedroom and kitchen open off of the great room, so I usually block the Braava from doing the kitchen one day, then use it in the kitchen but block off the other two rooms the next.
Is this safe in a household with a small dog? I’ve been reading about essential oils harming dogs.
I have a French Bulldog and two cats, and they’re fine with it. It’s true that some essential oils can be harmful to animals, so you should research any you plan to use.
Can you use white wine vinegar?
No, it has a different acidity. Distilled white vinegar is what’s used for cleaning.
I use mop and bucket so how much would I use in my mop and bucket as I be adding water in the bucket.. I have wooden floors…
Buckets come in all sorts of sizes, Fay, so I can’t easily give you a direct answer. Your best bet is to decide how much you want to make and multiply the ingredients, as one would when doubling (or tripling) any recipe.
Typically i’d use just a Mr.Clean cleaner and mop away, Well i ran out and can’t go get any so i started searching for a more natural cleaner i can make at home with supplies i had. I have 2 puppies and 3 adult dogs that are constantly running around and puppies that are learning to go outside. This solution worked pretty well. i had to double it up to make a bit more but it cleaned my tiles and i didn’t mind the smell of conifer, all that was left was the essential oil smell after it dried. i’d give it a ??.
So glad you liked it!
Do you mix this with extra water when actually mopping with it? Or is this recipe for one use and has to be mixed each time?
No additional water is used. The recipe is for one use. If you use the spray bottle method there’s no reason to discard the leftovers — just store them in the bottle and reuse them next time.
Oh, I thought of another question. You said 2 cups warm water. Do you have to reheat it if you’re storing the excess in a spray bottle?
No. The warm water initially helps combine the ingredients. After that, shaking the spray bottle will work.
Can you use cider vinegar instead of white vinegar?
You can try but, as with any recipe, if you change the ingredients you may change the results. I wrote this using distilled white vinegar and that’s what I’ve used for years.
Question, can you add additional warm water in a mop bucket? I usually use 4 gallons of hot water to mop with. Would I need to add more of the ingredients?
As with any recipe — cooking or cleaning — if you want to make a larger quantity you’ll need to multiply all of the ingredients.
Hi there,
Am keen to try out your recipe however isopropyl isn’t cheap here in New Zealand. So I’m wondering if this is a single use recipe or is it a capful at a time like a commercial floor cleaner? I only have a small shop floor (laminate) of about 25m.
Regards,
Adrian
This is a single use recipe since rubbing alcohol is very inexpensive here in the States. (Around $2.50 NZD for 32 ounces.) Sorry!
Is this a pretty safe combo for pets? My cat likes to “help” when I do chores around the house and mopping with another floor cleaner I feel like a goalie keeping him out while it’s drying. Also was the important note on the storage of used stuff?
I use it around my cats and French Bulldog without a problem. And, yes, the note about flammability refers to storing it. 🙂
My husband and I just bought a home with several different types of hard floors: ceramic tile, natural wood, and travertine. In our old house we just had linoleum so used Libman Multi-Surface cleaner in their spray mop. Now that we have different types of floors, I cringe at the thought of having several different cleaners cluttering up my storage closet so I’m really excited to try this recipe! Before I do, I have just a few questions:
1) Can you please confirm what type of white vinegar to use? There are dozens of different types of vinegar, but I’m specifically wondering if white vinegar or distilled white vinegar would be best since the distilled is less acidic.
2) We could not get our bathrooms’ ceramic tile grout clean so ended up using a product called “Polyblend Grout Renew” to refresh the grout. It is water-based, acrylic, urethane stain and sealer. The bottle states solvent-based cleaners should not be used on it. Is your recipe safe to clean that?
3) Under the white vinegar section of your article, you state it is safe to use on natural stone surfaces and you have been using it on your own marble and granite for years without issue. However, in the comments (some quite recent) you say NOT to use it on granite. Which info is current? I’m asking because our entryway floor is travertine and, as you known, natural stone is prone to etching if not cleaned with a proper cleaner.
4) Last question… I promise! Does this recipe eventually dry out natural wood floors? None of the ingredients would seem to condition wood floors and with the alcohol and vinegar content I would think the wood might possibly dry out and crack over time?
Thank you so much! I am so glad I stumbled upon your website and can’t wait to explore what other solutions you have!
Hi Melanie,
Congratulations on the purchase of your new home. I understand the dislike of having several cleaners packed in a closet but, to be honest, it’s sometimes unavoidable. Though it’s possible to occasionally find cleaners that work on a variety of surfaces, they don’t always work perfectly on each. That’s why we need to use ‘the right tool for the job,’ as my contractor says to explain why he carries a toolbox that holds four different kinds of hammers and a half-dozen styles of screwdrivers. So, onto your questions:
1. I use distilled white vinegar — the kind you buy at the grocery store. It has a 5% acidity. Although “cleaning vinegar” is now a thing, it’s mostly a marketing gimmick which can double the price per ounce while only bumping up the acidity to 6%.
2. Vinegar-based cleaners may, indeed, ruin the protection offered by your “Polyblend Grout Renew.” You might want to spot test before using it or find a different cleaning mix to use instead.
3. I still use this on my natural stone surfaces, but I don’t want the responsibility for anyone else’s decisions. So, I suggest using my Granite Cleaner Recipe.
4. I haven’t had any problems with this drying out properly-sealed wood floors. You should still make sure your home has the proper indoor humidity, though: that’s usually the biggest reason that wood floors dry out.
🙂
Very happy with this recipe, love that I can just mix it up whenever I need it with household staples. Left out the essential oils due to cats. Hardwood and tile floors look great.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it, Kim! Thanks for taking the time to leave your comment. 🙂
Could I use vodka instead of rubbing alcohol?
Many thanks!
You can but it won’t have the same sanitizing effect. If you do, please use the cheap stuff or it’s alcohol abuse. 😉
Thanks for sharing this. I just made it and love it. I used a knock off thieves oil blend. I poured it into my Vileada spray mop. My floors are hardwood with a beautiful matte finish. I’m wondering if anyone has used it in the Bissel crosswave?
I haven’t heard of anyone trying that, but hopefully if someone has they’ll see your comment and reply.
Thank you so much. Worked amazing on laminate floor and best of all no streaks.
Glad to hear you liked it!
I’m so excited to try this formula. I have that infamous haze on my wood laminate floors that drives me crazy! I have a question about the mopping process that I haven’t seen mentioned in the comments. I usually use a bucket of water for my mop, but thus recipe calls for just 2 cups of water. If I make this recipe how much do I add to a bucket of water And will the excess water dilute the active ingredients too much to work? If I use a spray bottle to lay down the recipe on the floor would I use a bucket of clear then just to clean the mop? I can’t imagine not rinsing the mop. Please advise. Thanks!!
This recipe is designed to fill a spray bottle. As with most recipes, if you want to make a larger amount you multiply the ingredients. So, it really depends on the size of the bucket you’re using. As far as rinsing, this is a no-rinse cleaner. As you pointed out, even if you use the spray-bottle method you do need a bucket of clean water to rinse the mop. 🙂
I love the idea of using this in the robot mop. However, mine encourages you not to put anything but water in the chamber. Does yours have the same warning and have you had any problems with buildup and clogging with this mixture? My mop came with cleaning pads but the smell of them triggers migraines for me. Just water doesn’t quite cut it with the cloth pads I’ve purchased. I’d like to hear your thoughts!
No, mine says to use any mild floor cleaning solution — even a vinegar and water mix — as long as you empty the chamber after use. That’s one reason I went with this model. Plus, it’s so quiet!
Okay, I’m confussed!!! The receipe at the top of this pg has @ cups warm water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup rubbing alchol, 3 drops dawn dish liquid, & 5-10 drops essential oils. Then reading in the comments u said use; 2 cups water, 2 cups white vinegar, 2 cups rubbing alchol, 1/2 teaspoon dawn dish liquid. So what is the receipe??? U posted one measurement system and yet commented a totally different measurement!!! So I’m lost….
The mixture you read was in a comment that someone else left, and NOT in my recipe. I’ve deleted the comment to stop the confusion.
Cleaned well, but left my wood and tile floors very dull. Wondering if our water being very hard causes this.
Also, why so many comments mention equal parts in the solution? The recipe above clearly states differently.
The recipe originally called for equal parts water and white vinegar and omitted the rubbing alcohol. That version was specifically for tile. After testing numerous combinations, we found that reducing the vinegar and adding rubbing alcohol made it safe for use on wood and laminate floors, too.
Well I followed recipe to the letter and my floors don’t look good at all. I love diy recipes can’t imagine why this one doesn’t work. There are streaks and a haze and footprints.
I’m so sorry to hear that! Not sure why you ran into those problems. What method did you use?
I just want to get this right.
This is to be used straight, as it’s mixed up?
It’s not to be added to your bucket of mop water?
I use a microfiber ‘spin mop’ type (O’Cedar), used as is, the mop would soak up that small amount.
So in essence I’d have to increase the ingredients to make at least 1 gallon or more to mop my floors?
I use it straight. With a spin mop, you might want to spray it on the floor then use the mop to wipe it up.
9/3/2018
I said to my self You Never know.. Plus I always Try to use/find NonToxic methodology.
Yes i was Pleasantly Surprised
Thank you!
I’m glad to hear it!
can you use natural cleaners like Shaklee’s Basic-H instead of the Dawn or other soap?
I don’t know. This is what I use, and it’s impossible for me to guess how a different cleaner would affect the recipe. If you try it with your Basic-H, please let me know how it turned out!
Hi
Thank you for this tip, it is very comforting to know that there is a natural cleaner that works.
I was about to use the recipe but got stuck on which rubbing alcohol to use.
Is the rubbing alcohol at 70% or 99% strength? I found 2 options available and didn’t know which to choose.
Further, can this recipe be used to clean the toilet, toilet bowls etc?
Thanks!
J
I think I answered this earlier, but 70% is the standard strength found at grocery stores and places like Walmart. That’s what I use.
Hi, would this cleaner work for general cleaning on countertops, sinks, etc?
I’d recommend my homemade natural all-purpose cleaner for those surfaces.
Etching? I am desparate for a chemical free clenaing solution. I was curious what you mean by too much vinegar casues etcing? I have foot and sneaker prints all over my floor and can not get them out. Would that be etching? And if so how do I get rid of this?? HELP
Etching, in this context, isn’t a good thing. It refers to damaging the floor’s surface by using too much vinegar. Sometimes people think that more is better but, when it comes to using things like vinegar to clean, that’s not necessarily true. Since vinegar is acidic, going overboard with it can erode the floor’s protective layer. That’s why it’s important to find reliable sources for cleaning mix recipes and then to follow the recipes carefully.
As far as the prints on your floor, are you referring to the same ones that no amount of scrubbing gets out? Or do you mean that after mopping, you wind up with foot and sneaker prints everywhere on your nice, clean floor?
Does this disinfect?
It’s not a strong enough concentration to disinfect, though it certainly reduces the number of germs on the surface.
Can I use clove oil in this recipe?
I wouldn’t. Clove oil can be corrosive to certain surfaces, and toxic to cats.
Hi,
I tried using this solution on my hardwood floor but the floor became very sticky. I tried both diluted as well as as is. Please let me know what to do. Thanks
There is absolutely nothing in this cleaner recipe that should or could have caused stickiness if mixed as written. Have you previously waxed your wood floors?
If this is mixed and put in a spray bottle, can you spray and leave it on for a short while before you mop so it will help break up the dirt/grime? The reason I am asking is because my mother wasn’t able to mop her floors for a good while before she passed away and the grime has been there a long time and just regular mopping doesn’t do very well. Also, can this cleaner be used in a Swiffer WetJet mop by putting the ingredients in the bottle that is used with the mop? It would be easier, and cheaper, to use if I didn’t have to keep buying the bottled cleaner that comes with the mop and it doesn’t seem to clean the floor. I know the first mixture I saw on your website said: 2 cups warm water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol and 3 drops liquid dish soap, but further down you said to use equal parts, except for the liquid soap. Which should I use? Thank for assisting me in this request.
Yes, you can mix and store it in a bottle away from heat and light indefinitely. It can be used in a Swiffer WetJet, too. The “equal parts” reference was in comments about a previous version I’d shared. I updated the recipe a while back because people were confused by what “equal parts” meant, and this version is far more effective.
Hi. Will this recipe work with a steam cleaner on a linoleum floor?
Thanks
I wouldn’t recommend it. The solution isn’t designed to be superheated.
Hi! I just loved using your recipe! Clean, fresh and good smelling, without all the harmful ingredients I’m used to. I mixed more than I needed. How long will this stay fresh before I need to dump and mix a new batch? Thank you!
I’m glad you liked it, Jessica! If you store it in an air-tight container, away from heat and light, it will stay good for at least two months. That’s the longest I’ve kept it, so I can’t speak to any longer than that.
While not a floor, I am wondering if this recipe would be safe to use on a quartz countertop. I’ve been told not to use anything acidic but perhaps the 1/2 cup of vinegar is diluted enough by the 2 cups of water. Any opinion?
I know it’s always nice to have one cleaning product to tackle multiple jobs, but I couldn’t honestly recommend using this on countertops. I have a granite cleaner recipe that does a brilliant job of cleaning and is safe for quartz.
Help! I really like your recipes for different cleaning solutions. But I need one to remove dried orange windshield washing fluid or it is orange anti-freeze in light tan carpeting. I have steam cleaned it and also tried other products. It lighted it to peach color. I was going to try your diluted ammonia and iron trick but am afraid it might set the color more. Any tried successful solutions?!
I can’t honestly say that I’ve had to fix that problem, Sue. If it were my carpet, I’d try using something that tackles grease well, since coolant is full of lubricants. Maybe a bit of Dawn Liquid Dish Detergent and baking soda mixed into a paste and scrubbed in, then flushed with hot water and immediately suctioned up using a wet/dry vac?
I know this is an older thread but I don’t see my question. If you mix this up in a spray bottle how long will it still be effective if it’s not all used up?
If you keep it out of sunlight and away from heat it will remain effective for at least a month.
Do you have a natural cleaner recipe for the bathtub and bathroom in general?
Yes.
Didn’t work for me. I had to go over the whole of the kitchen floor again with a mop and warm water. I followed the recipe to the letter. The result was a dull sticky tiled kitchen floor without any shine and shoes sticking to the surface with every step. A waste of time in my opinion.
I’m sorry it didn’t work for you.
Gong to give your homemade cleaner a try but have a question. Do I use 70% or 91% isopropyl alcohol? As both are available and I’m not sure which one to use. Thank you!
Both work. 70% is what’s commonly available, and what I typically use, but the 91% works fine, too.
What type of mop should I use with this method?
I too would like to know what type of mop you recommend. We have tile floors, and a flat sponge mop doesn’t get into the grout lines. There are so many different types of mops that whenever I go shopping for one, I just stand there staring at them, wondering which one to get…..
Microfiber mops do a great job of getting into those grout lines. If they’re really bad, though, you might want to get a no-kneel grout scrubber (Libman makes one) and go over just the grout once a month or so.
I use a microfiber mop. For quick mopping, I sometimes just stick a microfiber sock or cloth on my Swiffer, spray this cleaner on the floor, and give it a good wipe.
Thanks for the recipe! I had all of the “ingredients” on hand. So much easier than navigating the maze of cleaning products & no harsh chemicals. I doubled the batch to mop my kitchen floor. It worked great!
I’ll be making more to keep in a spray bottle for all-around clean-ups.
I’m glad you liked it!
So you mean, if I use a spray bottle, I just spray solution on floor and run mop over it? Because I was thinking the solution makes just over 2 cups and I can’t imagine it is enough for a large floor area, or is it? Sorry if I sound a bit ignorant about this, but I am really intersted in this since I don’t like the chemical cleaners my landlady wants me to use on the porous marble floors of her house that we are renting. Thanks!
Again, it depends on how heavily you spray. For light cleanings, I use this as a spray on my 20×26′ kitchen along with a microfiber mop and there’s usually a bit left over. For heavier cleanings, I double and sometimes triple the recipe in a bucket and use it to mop.
That said, since they’re your landlady’s floors I feel obligated to caution you to stick with her cleaning recommendations.
How large of a surface can this solution cover, and when you say use a bucket are you adding more water in the bucket and than add this mixture to keep the mop wet while cleaning by dipping. If it removes the dirt and grime how can you not rinse. Thanks jojo
There’s no way to accurately answer your question since it depends on how heavily you apply it. If you want to use a bucket you’ll need to double or triple the recipe. As with any type of floor cleaning solution, if you mop the grime up then put the mop back into the bucket you’ll be rinsing the mop in the process. If you use the spray and mop it’s the same as using a Swiffer. Most people don’t mop their floor with a cleaner then go back and mop again with plain water.
Can you use thus on laminate wood floors
Yes, though as with all cleaning methods for laminate floors you don’t want to get them soaking wet.
I just found this today and my floors were awful. They were awful when I moved in. But after mixing this up and going over the kitchen floor and greasy splash wall behind my stove? It’s amazing!
I’m glad you like it! This is the only way I clean my floors now.
Does this have to be rinsed?
Nope! 🙂
Can you put this cleaning solution in the steam floor cleaners??
Definitely not. Rubbing alcohol is flammable.
am in Ghana in West Africa where can i get whit vinegar because the one i see on the market there is nothing like white on it
The ShopRite at Accra Mall on the Tetteh Quarshie Roundabout should have it. If possible, phone ahead to confirm.
Hi can I ask what is rubbing alcohol? I have never heard of this product?
Where can I purchase this please?
Rubbing alcohol is isopropyl alcohol. If you’re in the UK it’s known as surgical spirits. It can be purchased in the US in drugstores, pharmacies, and the health/beauty department of most grocery stores. In the UK it’s available at the druggist.
Can you use fresh lemon juice instead of oil?
No. The lemon oil is just there for fragrance. It doesn’t change acidity, which fresh lemon juice would do — and not for the better.
I found this today!! I have tile floors and grout and the tiles have places that pool…so hard to clean but I made this and put it in a spray bottle…I did put some peppermint oil in it…I love how it looks and isn’t sticky and doesn’t smell pepperminty at all. Thanks for posting this!!
I’m glad you like it, Carol! I use it on my tile floors all of the time and, like you, love the shine it gives them. 🙂
Hi, do you think this cleaner can be an all purpose cleaner too? Kitchen counter, bathroom? Thanks!
I can’t think of any reason why you couldn’t use it elsewhere, Alice. 🙂
Any alcohol will do….??? What about Barcadi Lemon…??? ??
That’s alcohol abuse, Andy!
Ahahaha…. ??? Okay….
Why is rubbing alcohol used in this recipe?
Rubbing alcohol dissolves grime and sticky messes, leaves a nice shine, and helps to disinfect.
You did not mention grade of rubbing alcohol. 50%, 70% or 99%
While there are different strengths, you’ll most commonly find 70% grade at grocery stores and pharmacies. That’s what I use.
Could This be used on engineered hardwood floors? Apparently there is a difference in what types of things you can use on them vs real hardwood floors.
Thank you for the reply, and thank you so much for the recipe. 🙂
Yes, this is safe for wood floors. Just be sure that you use a dish soap that doesn’t contain moisturizing or oxygenating ingredients, or it will leave streaks.
Can this be used as a counter cleaner…granite?
Hi Angie! Vinegar shouldn’t be used on granite counters, but you can find my granite cleaning recipe here.
Will this floor cleaner work on Marble tile floors? If not, do you have any recommendations?
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My son and I just started using your cleaning routines. So far, so good.
Thanks!
I hope you’re enjoying the routines, Michael, at least as much as anyone can “enjoy” cleaning.
As for using this on marble floors, I’d recommend leaving the vinegar out since its acidic nature might damage your marble over time. If you find it’s not cutting grime sufficiently, try increasing the amount of rubbing alcohol.
Enjoy!
can we add fabric conditioner instead of oil essentials
Definitely not. The essential oils are in this just for fragrance so you can leave them out if you like.
Fabric conditioner isn’t the same thing at all. It contains highly-concentrated surfactants and lubricants that would leave a streaky, grimy film on your floor.
I only have white musk essential oil from the Body shop, can I use this? Or should I purchase maybe lavender oil instead.
The White Musk from Body Shop is not essential oil. It’s a perfume oil a/k/a fragrance oil. It will not work the same in this recipe and, really, who’d want their kitchen to smell of white musk? To use this recipe, look for a good essential oil (not fragrance or perfume oil).
Can you use this in a steam floor cleaner?
No, you should never use anything but plain water in a steam floor cleaner or you risk damaging the machine. Also, since rubbing alcohol is flammable it’s not a good idea to heat it like that.
I used to use Ecover floor soap but our local coop discontinued it…I tried just using white vinegar but the floor was dull…then I added Dawn but it still didn’t look good. Last night I sprayed rubbing alcohol on it straight and that seemed to by itself get dirt up better.
I used only the Rubbermaid Reveal microfiber cloth…I had used Pine Sol but got allergic reaction to this (itching and red behind my knees.) My question, I have heard that it is toxic to combine different household chemicals. Are you sure that it is non-harmful/non-toxic to mix together the combo of rubbing alcohol, vinegar and dish soap? It breathing this combo in any health hazard? Also, would this alone leave a shine on the linoleulm floor? I had also heard of putting a few drops of baby oil in the mix for shine, but I would rather not use a petroleum based product if this recipe alone will result in a ‘shine’ to the floor.
Melissa, I totally respect your concern about mixing various things as a cleaning solution. That always concerns me, too. Just the other day on Pinterest, for example, I saw someone advising people to mix hydrogen peroxide, Febreze (something we don’t even know the ingredients for!), water and liquid dish soap in their carpet shampooer! I wonder how many people discovered, to their regret, that hydrogen peroxide will cause their carpet shampooer’s tank to explode?
At any rate, yes, I’m certain the combination of plain rubbing alcohol, vinegar and dish soap (that is not moisturizing, not anti-bacterial, and doesn’t contain “oxygenating power”) is safe to use. While the scent of rubbing alcohol can be fairly strong (as can vinegar, for that matter), if you’re not bothered by them on their own there is no additional chemical reaction once they’re combined that would pose a health hazard. Do keep it away from flame, though: rubbing alcohol is flammable, after all.
As for using baby oil (which is mineral oil) in a floor cleaner, I have never heard of it nor would I use it even if I had. Oil doesn’t mix with water, as you know, so you’d run the risk of getting globs of it on your floor. It also attracts dirt, so while it might look shiny for a few hours it will get dirty faster. Finally, mineral oil will eventually build up on laminate and lead to clouding over time.
I made a concentrated version of this and it works beautifully.
Basically, I tripled the recipe, excluding the water and using mandarine essential oil, and wherever I need it I just dilute it in a bucket of warm water and mop away.
Also, I used my homemade citrus vinegar ..just because 🙂
Thanks for this great tip /recipe that does wonders.
I’m so glad you liked it, Aly! Mandarine is one of my favorite scents. I bet your home smells amazing now. 🙂
Trying this today! Just bought a condo with Brazillian Cherry floors that are so cloudy. Upon closer inspection, they are FILTHY. I will try ANYTHING to get the house clean without adding more chemical smells! Thank you! Wish me luck! 🙂
Good luck!
Sorry. I’ve seen another recipe which contains the following:
1 gallon hot water,
1 cup vinegar,
2 tablespoon castile soap,
optional: 8-12 drops essential oil
However you say the vinegar will cancel the castile soap out, correct? Does that mean the above recipe will not work?
Thanks
I haven’t tried that one, James, but in general the acidity of vinegar will neutralize the castile soap, which is a base, so they cancel each other out.
Why can you not substitute the dish soap for castile soap?
I know this was posted up quite awhile ago but I just found it now and its genius, I am ditching all my chemicals… chemicals to clean..oxymoron there! Anyways my question is, does this have to rinsed off floors once used to clean the floors?
Your enthusiasm about natural cleaning methods is commendable, Anne, but it’s not realistic to get rid of all chemicals to clean. Water, for instance, is a chemical: two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen molecule through a covalent bond. So I think what you mean is you’re getting rid of harsh commercial cleaning products. 🙂
To answer your question: no, you don’t need to rinse the floor cleaner.
Great recipe! I like using essential oils my home cleaning products and I’m trying this recipe right next weekend. Thank you for sharing it!
I’m confused. The ingredient list gives specific amounts of water, vinegar, and alcohol, but the instructions say to combine equal parts. Which is it? I tried it with the amounts on the ingredient list and it seemed to work fine. My only problem is it smelled like straight vinegar and I couldn’t smell the essential oils at all. Anything to help with that?
My apologies, Michelle. I’d posted the “equal parts” recipe to begin with then, as people with flooring types other than my own began to have problems, tinkered with the recipe — and used it on different flooring types — until I came up with a specific one, which has worked well for me in trials on ceramic, porcelain, laminate, linoleum, vinyl, and hard wood.
As for the vinegar smell, there are a number of factors to consider. First, vinegar always gives a strong scent initially but that disappears as it dries; by the time you’re done mopping it won’t be noticeable. If you’d prefer not to smell the vinegar at ALL you can add more essential oil, but keep in mind that when you do you are adding additional oil which might affect the shine and lead to streaking.
I personally just ignore the vinegar smell and get on with the mopping. Thirty minutes later there’s no trace of the vinegar in the air. (I’ve had company confirm this.)
I just tried this on my ceramic tile floors and it’s great! I also did the peppermint & orange essential oils…which smelled nice! My floors look very clean, clean, clean! Thanks for this non-toxic cleaner.
I’m very glad you liked it, Anne!
Can you please tell me specifically about how much water, vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and liquid soap to use? I know that the amount of water, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol must be equal, but what about the liquid soap? Does it have to be only three drops or more? Does it depend on the amount of water, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol used?
Did you use a dish soap that claims it’s “gentle on hands” or anti-bacterial? Both have additives that can leave a haze.
Great advice! I am just wondering if this works well on vinyl wood planks. Over time my floor has built up a film that I hate. The shine is gone. I feel it never looks clean even though I just mopped it. Any suggestions? Thanks
It should definitely clean them, but whether it removes that film or haze depends on its cause. Sometimes that film is the result of detergent buildup, and this formula would definitely remove that. You could even skip the liquid dish soap for the first mopping or two if you’re concerned.
Hi Katie, the reviews for this floor cleaner are exciting, as it is so discouraging to try a new product, homemade or commercial, and get poor results. My question is, is this a no-rinse recipe? I really don’t like the idea of mopping twice, once to clean and then again to rinse. The use of dishsoap is what makes me question this. Please let me know. thanks for your tips.
Yep, it’s a no-rinse solution IF you only use the small amount of soap called for. Too much soap will actually attract dirt if you don’t rinse it off, but this recipe involves very little. Just enough to help lift dirt.
I am curious why you can’t use Castille soap?
Castile soap is a base, and so it shouldn’t be used with an acid like vinegar (or lemon juice) because they’ll cancel each other out. The vinegar will just turn the castile soap into its original oils, and those will leave streaks on your floor.
Thank you for the idea! Just wondering how much of each item in the recipe do you use? I know it says equal parts, but not sure how much exactly. Please let me know. Thanks!
Exactly, Ruth!
Thank you for the wonderful website and for your tips and advices. One question, what is your opinion about steamers, steam mops and similar products? They also don’t use chemicals, only pure steam. But do they really desinfect? Anyway, I will start using your home made products with vinegar. Thank you again.
I just gathered up 4 (yes 4) “steam cleaners” to throw away. They all worked great for a couple months and then would clog even though I used distilled water. I would put them in the garage and buy another. Now I am trying to be frugal as well as green. I bought an O Cedar mop with spinning basket and am going to try this floor cleaner. Steam cleaners are a waste of money.
Well, I’ll be darned!
I was reading your latest post and thought, okay, the furniture polish, air freshener and vinegar tips have been amazing, but alcohol and vinegar (mixed together) on my floors…well, let’s say I was skeptical.
Mixed up a trusty spray bottle of this concoction, and lo and behold, it is fantastic! You are right, it dries to a beautiful shine and the kitchen smells delightful. If it works this well on my hardwoods I will be ecstatic.
Thanks for another huge money saver, especially one which honestly does what is advertised.
I hope you and your family are having a wonderful summer.
I’m so glad you gave it a try, Sue! I love the way it cleans my white ceramic tile floors. Those things are the bane of my existence! How’d it work on your hardwood?
I did the hardwood floors this afternoon and this mixture did a beautiful job.
These floors are light oak and no matter the care, they pick up everything that comes down the pike and with a house well used by family and friends the everything adds up quickly.
Hubby thought the kitchen and hallway tile I did last night looked great but after I finished the hardwood today, he was even more impressed.
Having used the peppermint oil in this mixture, I was curious if the combination you mention above gives the same fresh scent, or does the citrus in the orange overpower the peppermint? Thanks!
I have sprayed my cerami c tile floors with rubbing alcohol and mopped with hot water for years , they still look new,
Rubbing alcohol really does a wonderful job cleaning things.
Dearest Katie,
As always, very to the point and health conscious and frugal. Love the tip of using peppermint oil.
Hugs to you,
Mariette
Thank you, Mariette!