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Homemade All-Purpose Cleaning Powder

This easy DIY all-purpose cleaning powder is simple to make, non-toxic, and made from ingredients you probably already have in your home. It works to clean sinks, counters, refrigerator shelves, bathroom sinks and tubs, and any other surface you need to be cleaned!

Natural cleaning supplies on a counter with wooden spoon and brush.

Stop buying expensive and toxic cleaning products for your home! Not only can you make safer cleaners, like cream of tartar stain remover, baking soda bathroom cleaner, washing soda, borax laundry booster, & homemade glass cleaner, but it can also save you money.

I’m going to show you how to make a household cleaner that’s a scrubbing powder that’s fantastic for all your cleaning needs around the house. Especially in the bathroom and kitchen!

Ingredients Needed

  • Baking Soda – degreaser, deodorizer, and has scrubbing power that won’t scratch surfaces.
  • Salt – disinfectant and will give this cleaner extra scrubbing power.
  • Water (or white vinegar for extra cleaning power) – enough to make a thick paste at time of cleaning
A jar of baking soda tipped onto a table with a spoonful next to it.

How to Make Homemade Cleaning Powder

You can whip up a large batch of this cleaning powder and store it in a jar, or you can just mix it up as needed for smaller jobs.

  1. Mix equal parts baking soda and salt together in a jar. That’s it!
Stove top burner next to a container of baking soda.

How to Use Cleaning Powder

  1. When ready to use, take a small amount of your cleaning powder and sprinkle it onto the surface you’re cleaning.
  2. Add some water or white vinegar to it to make a paste.
  3. Scrub with a cloth, sponge, or other cleaning brush depending on the job.
  4. Wipe clean with a damp washcloth or rinse well with water.
Bowl of salt next to a sliced lemon and jar of vinegar.

Cleaning Powder Tips & Tricks

Cleaning Delicate Surfaces

If you have a surface that you’re nervous about scratching, omit the salt and just use baking soda and water. It’s gentle enough for even your most delicate surfaces.

Cleaning Greasy Surfaces

For extra greasy surfaces, sprinkle the cleaning powder over the surface of the area you’re cleaning and, using a spray bottle filled with white vinegar, spray over the cleaning powder enough to get the cleaning powder nice and bubbly.

Let it sit for a few minutes then scrub away with a coarse sponge, scrub brush, or scouring pad (be sure it won’t scratch your surface though!).

Bottle of essential oil next to a bowl.

Scented Cleaning Powder

If you want to leave a nice scent behind (especially if using white vinegar), you can add a few drops of essential oil to your cleaning powder.

Just add a few drops and stir to distribute, then clean as recommended above.

More DIY Recipes and Household Tips

Natural cleaning supplies on a counter with wooden spoon and brush.

Non-Toxic Cleaning Powder

Clean your home with this inexpensive, non-toxic cleaning powder that will disinfect and deodorize and is safe for all surfaces!
4.91 from 10 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Servings: 0.5 cups
Author: Carolyn Thomas

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 1/4 cup salt inexpensive salt works great
  • white vinegar optional

Instructions

  • Mix equal parts baking soda and salt in a jar.
  • When ready to use, sprinkle cleaning powder over the surface of the area needing to be cleaned, add water to create a paste, and scrub.
  • Rinse with water or wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Notes

  • For extra cleaning power, use white vinegar instead of water.
  • For greasy surfaces, sprinkle cleaning powder over the surface, spray powder with white vinegar (a spray bottle is helpful here), and let sit for a few minutes to help loosen the grease.
  • For delicate surfaces, omit the salt, or reduce the salt, for a less abrasive cleaner.
Tried this recipe?We want to see! Tag @homesteadingfamily on Instagram.
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