This post is for all those who own Chemistry Hacks for Home and Outdoors. I wanted to share a post dedicated to the best all-purpose DIY Cleaner because it has dozens and dozens of uses that I have been experimenting with.
When I was testing out this solution, it was originally for a granite cleaner or other natural stones.
The elements I wanted to create were a disinfectant, scrubbing power, and something that would shine the surface.
It’s amazing how you can put the exact same items together and get something totally different. The ratio is so important when you make homemade cleaners and solutions.
When I finally got something that worked perfect, I kept a bottle sitting around the kitchen.
I started using it for everything and testing out what it worked on.
Today is a list of ALL the neat things you can actually use this for. I can’t share the recipe in the post because it is an exclusive recipe in the book, but you can save this post for later if you decide to get the book.
This cleaner is also a key component in cleaning natural stone shower tile!
Glass
I keep a bottle of this in my office because my entire desk is glass. Glass gets so dirty, and can be really hard to clean. This cleaner is perfect and streak free. (Also cleans computer monitor)
Fabric
My new favorite way to clean decorative pillows like couch pillows, throw pillows, and other things that aren’t the easiest to put in the washing machine. I use this! First, I spray the entire pillow surface, the scrub it lightly with a sponge or microfiber cloth. Next, pop it in the dryer for about 10 minutes just to fluff and dry the surface. Not only does it fluff the pillow up, but it cleans stains and smells clean afterwards.
I also use it to clean all types of couch fabrics. You can even use this on suede. Spray it on stains and scrub with a soft sponge or cloth. Or spray all over couch fabric to freshen and clean.
Try this out for vehicle fabric too like seats, floorboards, etc.
Carpet Stains
This is my favorite carpet cleaner that I use all the time. Sometimes, I don’t have the time to do a full out clean though. And with a dog (who throws up #dogmomproblems), I wanted something quick. Now, when I see a stain. I spray H202 on it (Hydrogen peroxide), then this cleaner on top. Allow it to sit, scrub with a sponge, and let it dry.
It works every time.
Indoor Insect Killer
It is the time of year for gnats and fruit flies in the house! Guess what? This works on both! And it is safe on plants and foods, so you don’t have to worry about it killing anything else.
I first used this on those gnats that fly around house plants. I had some sitting around the soil of my favorite plant. I sprayed this cleaner on top of the soil. Not only did it kill the gnats and keep them away, it seemed to really boost the plant itself. Within a few days, the plant had grown! (So weird, but it did!) Read this post for my indoor houseplant care tips!
We had some fruit flies around the bananas, I just sprayed them and the area with this. They died and it deterred further ones from coming around.
You can also use it on those little sugar ants that come around.
I continue to test this solution on everything, so keep the post! It will be updated each time I find something new it can be used for!
If you own the eBook, and have used this solution found on page 13 (granite cleaner), let me know what you have used it for!
Enjoy!
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
I have really enjoyed your book. This is one of my favorite DIY solutions so far. I am excited to see how many things I can use it for. Can’t wait to try it out!
So happy to hear you enjoy it! I love this cleaner so much, I keep a bottle of it all over the house lol It works great for these other ideas too 🙂
LOVE all of the uses, and of course that it’s DIY <3
Green Fashionista
It is such a great DIY and it has been fun seeing all the awesome things it works for 🙂
Oh wow! So many uses from one solution! LOVE the idea for the decor pillows and fake suede – Daisy gets some pawprints on there – love to keep things fresh. Can I use this for the greasy stove backsplash – I have ceramic tiles with a matte finish. I currently use Simple Green, and sometimes it still doesn’t get all the grease off.
It really has so many uses! I love using this on my backsplash area…I like to spray it on, let it set a bit and use a sponge. It seems to work really well for that too!
Sounds like bloody great stuff
It really is! 🙂
Sounds like you formulated a magic potion if it can kill bugs and remove carpet stains plus so much more! Very cool 🙂
This is just the best cleaner! I love how a few simple household ingredients can work so well 🙂
Ok. This is AMAZING. I totally going to put this together.
It is my absolute favorite one!
this is so awesome!
It is my absolute favorite cleaner!
It is so amazing that one cleaner can do everything. I love multi purpose stuff to help me clean. Thank you for sharing it with us at the #HomeMattersParty this week. Pinned and tweeted!
I do to too! So easy and convenient! Thanks Nicole!!
I purchased your book and LOVE the cleaner! I’m just wondering, does this cleaner disinfect like other store-bought multi-surface disinfectants. Thanks for coming up with a great recipe for cleaning!
Hi Nancy! So happy you enjoy our eBook! Yes, this disinfects like many all-purpose cleaners. However, it doesn’t disinfect like certain chemicals manufactured specifically to kill certain bacteria or viruses. If you have a store-bought cleaner labeled as an anti-bacterial, this won’t disinfect like that. Those are manufactured specifically for this purpose. According to the CDC, the only thing that will actually kill most of the viral or bacterial strands in the home that are dangerous is bleach. It is unlikely to encounter those on a day to day basis, so I don’t think using things like bleach is necessary. As far as DIY cleaners go, this is one of the best types to clean with. I hope this helps!
Question for you…
Why is Your recipe “so much better” than anyone elses?!? I’m just curious to know! I mean, I understand that you want to sell your book and all, And that you are a chemist, but why Your recipe and not someone else’s who has used their Recipes for Years and had excellent results???
Hi Tina! This post was written many years ago & it was awesome to share with readers How they could use our recipe from the eBook 🙂 many didn’t know it had all these uses! It’s one of my favorite to use. We only have the book for sale to pay for the publication. I’d love to send you one for free if you’d like. We also have most of our recipes on the blog and many different types. I hope this helps! Feel free to email me chemistrycachet@gmail.com for any questions
2-22-2021 –
hello Alexis trying to find out how to clean DRESS LEATHER GLOVES?????
IN FL EVERYTHING SOONER OR LATER GETS MOLDY EVEN MY DRESS BROWN LEATHER GLOVES…
DO YOU HAVE A CLEANER THAT I CAN TRY, NOT MUCH…A LITTLE WHITE ON THE TOP PART AND SOME ON THE FINGERS, WOULD REALLY LIKE TO CLEAN ALL OF THEM, BEEN WEARING ONLY THE BLACK ONES FOR NOW…
COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING FOR LEATHER. THANKS
We always use saddle soap for leather cleaning like gloves and boots. I don’t have experience with anything moldy though. Here is a blog post that has some great information.
Omg thanks a million !! I think we just became bffs!!
🙂
Can I add an essential oil to this cleaner? I’m using it on granite.
Yes you can. I sometimes add a little lemon or grapefruit. You can use anything though
Hello, I purchased the e book but now can’t figure out how to access it/where I put it. Any advice?
Hi! Here is a link on how to download it and where it goes when you download the PDF. If you purchased it more than three days ago, the link will be expired. I can send you a new link though. Let me know if you need a new link through email to chemistrycachet@gmail.com thanks!
I have wood floors and struggle with what to clean them with. I read a Blog that you mentioned beware of cleaning wood floors with vinegar but I cannot find it again. What do you recommend to clean wood flours with?
My mom has wood floors and she uses the all-purpose cleaner on page 13 of the eBook. This is 1 cup water, 1 tbsp dawn, and 1 tbsp rubbing alcohol. She makes a larger batch and it works good for her!