⭐️Quick Answer: My two go-to DIY cleaners both start with Dawn dish soap and water. The vinegar mix is one cup white vinegar, one cup water, and about a teaspoon of Dawn. It’s an acidic, all-purpose cleaner that cuts grease, breaks down hard water and mineral deposits, and deodorizes, but you should avoid using it on natural stone and wood floors. The alcohol mix is one cup of 70% isopropyl alcohol, one cup water, and about a teaspoon of Dawn. It’s gentler, fast-drying, and streak-free, making it safe on fabrics, electronics, and natural stone like granite, marble, and quartz. Skip the water and it becomes a strong disinfectant.
If you want to cut down on store-bought cleaners without sacrificing results, these two homemade mixes do almost everything. They’re simple, versatile, and inexpensive, and they’ve earned a permanent spot in my cleaning kit. Here’s exactly how to make them and where to use each one.
🧽What You’ll Need
You only need a handful of common supplies to make both cleaners: white vinegar, 70% isopropyl alcohol, a little bit of Dawn dish soap, water, and a couple of spray bottles to mix them in. That’s it. Chances are you already have most of this on hand.
Between these two mixes, you’ll have a versatile cleaning system that covers nearly every surface in your home, all for a fraction of the cost of buying separate specialty cleaners for each job.
Mix #1: DIY Vinegar Cleaner
This is the one you’ve probably seen me reach for again and again, and for good reason. To make it, combine one cup of white vinegar, one cup of water, and about a teaspoon of Dawn dish soap (or just a few drops) in a spray bottle. Shake it up well so everything is mixed together, and you’re ready to clean.
Why This Mix Works So Well
Vinegar is a fantastic non-abrasive cleaner, and its acidity is the secret. It isn’t strong enough to harm your everyday household surfaces, but it’s strong enough to cut through tough grease and grime. The few drops of Dawn act as a surfactant, a soap that clings and bonds to the grease and grime so it lifts away more easily. Diluting the vinegar with water keeps it from being too harsh in your home, and just as importantly, a little less stinky.
Where to Use It
This is a true all-purpose cleaner you can use throughout the house, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, and on your windows. What I love most is how well vinegar breaks down hard water and the mineral deposits that build up over time, especially in the bathroom on glass shower doors and around tubs. It cuts right through that buildup.
💡Related Post: Tried and True Tips for Removing Hard Water Stains From Glass
Vinegar is also an excellent deodorizer, which surprises people. I know the common reaction: won’t it just make everything smell like pickles? But once the vinegar dries, it evaporates completely, so the smell disappears and it neutralizes whatever odor was on the surface. I like to use it on something like a sofa cushion that’s already been cleaned but still holds a lingering smell. Pair it with a little sun and the two work wonders together.
Where Not to Use It
There are two surfaces where you should never use the vinegar mix. The first is natural stone like granite or marble countertops. Vinegar breaks the stone down over time. You won’t see damage right away, but eventually the surface starts to look hazy and foggy, and that’s permanent. The second is wood floors. The acidity slowly breaks down the protective finish on the surface, and once that barrier is gone, the wood itself can be damaged. Don’t worry though, the second mix is the perfect solution for those natural stone surfaces.
💡Related Post: Vinegar vs. Alcohol: Choosing the Right Solution for Your Cleaning Needs
Mix #2: DIY Alcohol Cleaner
This second mix is similar to the first, but it swaps the vinegar for 70% isopropyl alcohol. To make it, combine one cup of water, one cup of 70% isopropyl alcohol, and again about a teaspoon of Dawn dish soap in a spray bottle.
Why This Mix Works So Well
This cleaner is effective because alcohol is a potent solvent. Like vinegar, it breaks down and dissolves the dirt and grime you want to remove, but what sets it apart is how fast it evaporates, so surfaces dry quickly and streak-free. The Dawn does the same job here as in the first mix, working as a degreaser to grab anything the alcohol leaves behind.
Where to Use It
I think of this as my gentler DIY cleaner. Because it isn’t acidic like vinegar, it’s safe on a wider range of surfaces, including fabrics that can be cleaned with water, electronics, and natural stone countertops like granite, marble, and quartz. Whenever I’m not quite sure whether vinegar is safe for a surface, this is the mix I rotate in.
💡Related Post: Clean and Seal Your Granite Countertops
Turning It Into a Disinfectant
This mix also has disinfecting properties built in. If you want to use it as a true disinfectant, leave out the water and use just the 70% isopropyl alcohol with a little Dawn. That stronger version is great for disinfecting doorknobs, high-touch surfaces, and even your countertops.
One Thing to Keep in Mind
Alcohol can discolor or damage some surfaces, so when you’re unsure, always test an inconspicuous spot first. Spray a little on, let it sit for a moment, and see how the surface reacts. If nothing changes, you’re good to keep cleaning with it.
Make These Two Mixes Your New Favorites
With just vinegar, alcohol, Dawn, and water, you’ve got two cleaners that handle the vast majority of jobs around your home. The vinegar mix tackles grease, hard water, and odors, while the gentler alcohol mix covers delicate surfaces and doubles as a disinfectant. Keep both in your kit and you’ll rarely need anything else.
