These DIY Cleaners Are So Effective, You’ll Never Go Back to Store-Bought

One Reddit user started a thread asking, "What's the one cleaning product you stopped buying because a DIY version worked better? I ditched glass cleaner for vinegar + water, and it's been a game changer. Now I'm wondering what else I'm overpaying for when I could just make it myself."

Users flooded the thread with their favorite DIY cleaning solutions, encouraging others to make the switch from store-bought products. Ahead, we share some of the top suggestions, featuring everything from pet stain removers to oven cleaners for a spotless kitchen.

Power Wash Dish Spray

Power Wash dish soap is known for being tough on grease when cleaning pots and pans after cooking. However, you can easily recreate this fan-favorite solution at home with just three simple ingredients you likely already have under your sink.

Mix regular dish soap with water, then add a small amount of rubbing alcohol. "I don’t really do measurements but if I had to guess … 2 tbsp rubbing alcohol, 3-4 tbsp washing up liquid, fill the rest slowly with water," the user wrote. Reddit users also suggest saving an empty Power Wash spray bottle from the store-bought version to pour the homemade mixture into for the best results.

Multi-Purpose Spray

A multi-purpose spray is a home essential, whether you use it to wipe down kitchen counters or sanitize surfaces around the house. This simple DIY cleaning solution can be a game-changer—it saves money and is simple to make with home essentials.

To make it, mix dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and water, then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a fresh scent.

Glass and Window Cleaner

Skip out on pricey glass and window cleaners for an easy DIY swap that delivers crystal-clear results: a 1-to-1 mixture of vinegar and water. In addition to the homemade cleaner, Reddit users recommend cutting up old clothes to use instead of paper towels. "Cloth tags from old clothes clean better and don't leave lint everywhere," one person wrote.

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Oven Cleaner

Grime builds up quickly inside the oven, but a simple mix of baking soda and water can make cleaning easier. Use a steel wool pad to scrub away stubborn residue from cooking and baking that often gets left behind.

Pet Stain Remover

A mixture of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, water, and dish soap makes an effective pet stain and odor remover. One Reddit user shared their recipe: Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 1 glass of hydrogen peroxide, a few drops of dishwashing liquid, and water, then swirl it around so the baking soda mixes with the other ingredients.

The user recommends spraying the solution and letting it sit for 20 to 30 minutes, then mopping it up with water and more of the cleaner. "This replaces really expensive pet smell remover sprays that do a worse job than the quite cheap concoction above," the user wrote.

Shower and Tub Cleaner

One Reddit user shared their ingredient measurements for an all-purpose shower and tub cleaner: 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol, 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, 1 teaspoon of dish soap, 1 tablespoon of dishwasher rinse aid, and 2 cups of water. Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle.

"Works great in the kitchen, bath, and cleaning up various messes," the user wrote. "I use this on pretty much everything, and I usually double or triple the batch and store in an old large bottle of dish soap so I have easy refills."