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Years ago, I opened my cleaning cabinet and had one of those moments where you just have to laugh. I counted at least 15 different cleaning products crammed in there, and somehow I still never had the right one when I needed it.
Sound familiar?
Between the specialty sprays, the glass cleaners, the floor solutions, and the bathroom-specific formulas, my cabinet was overflowing—and so was my spending. Not to mention, half of those bottles had ingredient lists I couldn’t pronounce, and chemical smells that gave me a headache.
I started wondering: do we really need a different product for every single surface in our homes?
After years of experimenting with simpler, more natural cleaning solutions, I realized the answer is no. It wasn’t about finding the perfect product for every job—it was about finding one versatile base that could handle most of them.
That’s what led me to create my Simple Clean Essential Oil Blend, and it’s been the foundation of my cleaning routine ever since.
What Makes This Blend So Versatile?
My Simple Clean Essential Oil Blend combines lemon, cedarwood, lemongrass, balsam fir, cypress, sweet orange, pine, and tea tree essential oils. These aren’t just thrown together for scent—each one is known for its grease-cutting, purifying, or odor-eliminating properties.
When you use it as the base for homemade cleaners, one small bottle stretches into multiple batches of different cleaners. You know exactly what’s going into each one, your home smells genuinely fresh (not like fake “mountain breeze”).
Best of all, you can stop buying all those single-purpose products that clutter up your cabinet.
As a bonus, my husband Dave (who’s usually skeptical about my DIY projects) actually comments on how good the house smells when I use these recipes. That alone is worth it.
Why Make Your Own Cleaning Products?
Before we get to the recipes, I know what you might be thinking—why go to the trouble when you can just grab something off the shelf?
Fair question. Here’s what I’ve found after years of testing both:
When you start with the right base ingredient (and for me, that’s Simple Clean), homemade cleaners are simpler, more effective, and far more versatile than most of the store-bought options I’ve tried.
You know exactly what’s in them, they genuinely get the job done, and one bottle of the blend can make batch after batch. You won’t run out as often, and you won’t need to keep buying five different products for five different surfaces.
And honestly? The scent is reason enough.
One of our readers, Mary Ann, put it better than I could: she said her all-purpose cleaner made with Simple Clean works better than any commercial cleaner she’s used—and leaves everything smelling wonderful. That’s been my experience too.
I’ve tested hundreds of cleaning solutions over the years, and these are the ones I keep coming back to.
3 Trusted DIYs Made With Simple Clean
These three are the cleaners I rely on the most—they’re effective, easy to make, and they cover a surprising amount of ground around the house.
1. All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
A go-to cleaner for everyday messes, from wiping countertops to tackling sticky spills. It cuts through grease without harsh chemicals.
Ingredients & Supplies
- 1 tsp borax
- 1/2 tsp washing soda
- 1 tsp Castile soap
- 20 drops Simple Clean Essential Oil Blend
- 2 cups hot water
- 16 oz spray bottle
Directions
Remove the spray top and use a funnel to add the borax, washing soda, Castile soap, and essential oil to the bottle. Pour in hot water, replace the spray top, and shake gently to mix.
How to Use
Spray directly onto surfaces and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. For stubborn messes, let it sit for a minute before wiping.
Note: Avoid using this cleaner on natural stone like granite or marble. Use this one instead.
Jillee’s Take:
2. Reusable Cleaning Wipes
If you’re tired of buying (and throwing away) disposable wipes, these are a great swap. They’re perfect for quick cleanups, wiping down high-touch surfaces, and dusting baseboards—without the waste.
Ingredients & Supplies
- 2 cups rubbing alcohol (70% or higher)
- 1 tsp Dawn dish soap
- 20 drops Simple Clean Essential Oil Blend
- Quart-sized mason jar
- Stack of clean cloths
Directions
Add rubbing alcohol, dish soap, and essential oil to the jar. Shake gently to mix.
Add cloths to the jar, making sure they soak up the solution. Seal the jar and turn it upside down for a minute to distribute evenly.
How to Use
Wipe down countertops, spills, baseboards, and high-touch surfaces.
To disinfect, pre-clean surfaces with soapy water first, then use a wipe and allow the surface to air dry. When you’ve used them all, just toss them in the wash and make a fresh batch.
3. Scented Cleaning Vinegar
Vinegar is already a cleaning powerhouse, but let’s be honest—it doesn’t smell great on its own. Adding Simple Clean makes it far more pleasant to use (and just as effective).
Ingredients & Supplies
- 4 cups white vinegar
- 30 drops Simple Clean Essential Oil Blend
Directions
Add essential oil drops to the vinegar bottle. Shake well before each use.
How to Use
- As a fabric softener: Add 3/4 – 1 cup to your washer’s final rinse cycle.
- As an all-purpose cleaner: Dilute at a 1:2 ratio (1 part vinegar to 2 parts water) for cleaning fridges, microwaves, pet stains, and floors.
- As a glass cleaner: Dilute at a 1:1 ratio (1 part vinegar to 1 part water) for windows, mirrors, and glass.
- For deep cleaning: Use undiluted to freshen washing machines, remove limescale, and clean dishwashers.
4 More Ways to Use Simple Clean
Once you have Simple Clean on hand, you’ll find yourself reaching for it in all kinds of situations. Here are a few of my favorite extra uses:
1. “No. 2” Toilet Spray
Mix 50 drops of Simple Clean with 4 oz witch hazel in a small spray bottle. Shake to combine. Spray 3–4 times directly into the toilet bowl before you “go.” The oils create a vapor barrier that traps odors before they start.
2. Carpet Freshener
In a container with a shaker lid, combine 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup borax, and 30 drops of Simple Clean. Shake to mix, then sprinkle over areas of carpeting that could use some freshening up.
Let the powder sit for 20 minutes, then vacuum it up. This works great for freshening mattresses, too.
3. Foaming Hand Soap
In a foaming pump bottle, combine 15 drops of Simple Clean, 2 tbsp Castile soap, 2 tsp fractionated coconut oil, and 3/4 cup water. Shake gently to mix. This foaming hand soap leaves your hands feeling clean without drying them out.
4. Linen Spray
To a spray bottle, add 10 drops of Simple Clean, 2 tbsp rubbing alcohol (or witch hazel), and 6 tbsp distilled water. Shake to mix. Spritz over bedding, towels, curtains, throw pillows, and upholstery for a light, fresh scent.
BONUS: Make Your Home Smell Fresh (Even When You’re Not Cleaning)
One of my favorite things about Simple Clean is that it doesn’t just clean—it makes your whole home feel clean.
The bright, citrusy-woodsy scent is fresh without being overpowering, and I use it all the time, even when I’m not actively scrubbing anything.
One reader, Dana, mentioned that the scent doesn’t bother her allergies at all, which is something I hear a lot.
If strong fragrances have been a problem for you, this blend might surprise you.
Here are a couple of simple ways to enjoy it:
In your diffuser: Add 5–6 drops to a diffuser with water to fill your home with a fresh, uplifting aroma.
No diffuser? No problem. Make your own reed diffuser. Fill a small glass container about 75% full with fractionated coconut oil.
Add 40–50 drops of Simple Clean and insert 4–6 bamboo skewers. Flip the reeds every few days to refresh the scent.
In your vacuum: Add a few drops to a cotton ball and place it in your vacuum’s dust cup. The scent circulates throughout your home as you clean.
No dust cup? Mix a few drops with baking soda, sprinkle it over your carpet, let it sit, then vacuum it up to freshen both your floors and the air.
Ready to Simplify Your Cleaning Routine?
If your cleaning cabinet looks anything like mine used to—packed with products you barely use and can’t keep straight—I’d encourage you to give a simpler approach a try.
My Simple Clean Essential Oil Blend is the one thing I keep reaching for, because it genuinely replaces so many of those single-purpose bottles. It’s also part of my Spring Cleaning Sale right now, so it’s a great time to try it.
If you’d rather not piece everything together yourself, I also put together a Cleaning Kit that includes everything you need to get started: the Simple Clean blend, amber spray bottles, microfiber cloths, a label for your all-purpose spray, and my Cleaning House eBook.
It takes the guesswork out of getting started.
Whether you start with a single bottle or go all-in with the kit, it’s one of the simplest swaps I know to cut the clutter, save some money, and actually enjoy cleaning your home.
What’s the one cleaning product you’d love to replace with something simpler? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
