Natural Disinfectant Cleaner

Over the last couple of years I have shared with my friends several of my favorite recipes for natural cleaners and other natural recipes (lip balm, deodorant, etc). Most I have posted on here, but one I have yet to share is for all purpose disinfectant cleaner. You will find other versions and altogether different recipes that people use, but this has become my favorite.

Looking at the ingredients, you can see why it is such a powerhouse for cleaning…

Borax
“Borax and other borates clean and bleach by converting some water molecules to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This reaction is more favorable in hotter water. The pH of borax is about 9.5, so it produces a basic solution in water, thereby increasing the effectiveness of bleach and other cleaners. In other chemical reactions, borax acts as a buffer, maintaining a stable pH needed to maintain cleansing chemical reactions. The boron, salt, and/or oxygen of boron inhibit the metabolic processes of many organisms. This characteristic allows borax to disinfect and kill unwanted pests.” source

For those who have maybe heard that borax is not safe, please read this post by Crunchy Betty on “Getting to the Bottom of Borax: Is it Safe or Not?”

Essential Oils
Our readers quickly learn of our love for essential oils. We use them for a lot of things. A day almost does not go by when I am not using an essential oil. For cleaning solutions they are the perfect choice because most have antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, etc qualities. My favorite choices for my cleaners include citrus oils (Lemon, Orange, Bergamot, Lime), clean-smelling oils such as Eucalyptus, Cleansing blend, and Rosemary, and other favorites such as Lavender, Protection blend, Melaleuca, and Peppermint. Let me know if you are interested in purchasing essential oils.

Castile Soap
I use Dr. Bronner’s unscented liquid soap for this recipe. I like the unscented because I can use whatever essential oils I want to add a natural fragrance. Castile soap does not contain any synthetic fragrances or ingredients so it is a safe cleaner for those who are sensitive to those factors. (Read Natural Enzyme Cleaner and Synthetic Fragrances.) It is concentrated and produces a light lather to help with cleaning whether you have hard or soft water.

Water
If you use distilled water or boil your water then your cleaner will last longer. With the other added ingredients and their anti-everything (antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, etc) properties, I do not think mold would grow very easy in your cleaner. I do recommend using hot or very warm water as it will help dissolve the borax. It can have a hard time dissolving and breaking up if it is in little chunks.

While I do like using vinegar in cleaners for its natural cleaning ability, I know this is safe to use on most surfaces because it’s not present. (Try the Homemade Dusting Spray and Furniture Polish for wood.) Vinegar can be harsh on some surfaces such as granite. I have a special DIY granite cleaner I use to keep mine shiny and polished. Plus, when you mix vinegar and castile soap you can get a crazy chemical reaction that resembles curdled milk. Yep, it is true. It has happened to me in the past plus I have read of many others’ issues with the same thing. Acidic ingredients such as vinegar (and lemon juice) do not mix with castile soap!

I use this natural disinfectant cleaner when wiping down cabinets, my laundry room countertops, spills or spots on my tile floor, my shower/bathtubs, and toilets to name a few places.

This is an upcycled glass vinegar bottle that was the perfect size for a regular spray nozzle.

Here’s how to make it!

Natural Disinfectant Cleaner

2 cups hot water
3 teaspoons borax
1 teaspoon Castile soap
20-30 drops essential oils

Add the borax to the hot water and stir/shake until dissolved. Add Castile soap and essential oils. Mix well. Just spray and wipe off to clean surfaces!

Other favorite natural cleaning recipes:
Homemade Dusting Spray and Furniture Polish 
Hand Cleanser Gel (Alcohol Free)

Below is a simple label I made for mine that I thought someone may want to print and use themselves. It's available in teal and green. I just print mine on copy paper, cut it out, and using packing tape, I cover the paper and attach it.

Do you make your own cleaners? What is your favorite? Please share in the comments below, on our Facebook page, or Instagram! I hope to hear from you.