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How to Make Your Own Surface Cleaner: DIY Homemade Surface Cleaner Guide

How to Make Your Own Surface Cleaner: DIY Homemade Surface Cleaner Guide

Whether you’re trying to clean off your patio, driveway, garage, or interior surfaces, the right surface cleaner can make a world of difference both in how easily the task goes and how effective your results are. There are eco-friendly implications at play when choosing a cleaner, too.

While there are plenty of great solutions at your disposal, you’re interested in DIY surface cleaner recipes. You’ve come to the right place. We’ll walk you through how to make your own surface cleaner below so you can save some money while bringing out the best in all your surfaces.

But the truth is, there’s no need to bother learning how to make surface cleaner - our flat surface cleaner is the #1 choice in the UK! Whether you need patio and driveway cleaning products or washing up liquid, browse our selection and see for yourself why Jennychem is your go-to choice.

Why Make a DIY Surface Cleaner?

So if Jennychem has the best surface cleaner for any purpose, why bother with homemade surface cleaner solutions? Don’t get us wrong, we do appreciate the appeal of making your own household cleaning products. Some of the benefits include:

  • Cost-Effective: Homemade cleaners are far cheaper than store-bought alternatives, especially when you already have the ingredients at home.
  • Safe for Family and Pets: You control the ingredients and can steer clear of harsh chemicals to keep your children, pets, or anyone with allergies safe.
  • Eco-Friendly: Reuse spray bottles and choose natural, biodegradable ingredients to reduce plastic waste and minimise your environmental impact.
  • Customisable: Tailor the formula to meet your needs - whether it’s adding essential oils for a pleasant scent or adjusting the recipe for different surfaces and tougher grime.
  • Versatile: A DIY cleaner can be used on anything from countertops to glass to concrete, offering an all-in-one solution for your household cleaning needs.

Still, it’s worth at least looking at some of the different solutions we have in store for you at Jennychem. They’re more affordable than you might think, and they’ll work far better than anything you make yourself. 

Nevertheless, we love a good DIY project and won’t deter you from trying to learn how to make your own surface cleaner if you’re passionate about this approach. On the contrary - we’ll share some of our own favourite DIY surface cleaner recipes below!

How to Make Your Own Surface Cleaner: Different Homemade Surface Cleaner Recipes to Try 

Whether you’re interested in a DIY patio cleaner, homemade driveway cleaner, or something you can use inside the house, we’ve got a recipe just for you below. Let’s start with a basic all-purpose cleaner recipe you can use on just about any surface. 

Basic All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe

This recipe is ideal for countertops, appliances, and other everyday surfaces that need a quick refresh. 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 10 drops of tea tree or lemon essential oil (for fragrance and added disinfectant properties)

Instructions:

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle.
  2. Shake well before each use.
  3. Spray on surfaces and wipe clean with a cloth.

Glass and Mirror Cleaner

Bring back an incredible shine on your glass and mirror surfaces with this simple, safe recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol (for a faster dry time and sanitising effects)

Instructions:

  1. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle.
  2. Spray the mixture onto the glass or mirror.
  3. Wipe with a microfiber cloth or newspaper for a streak-free finish.

Wood Surface Cleaner

Clean and nourish wood surfaces without damaging them using this gentle cleaning recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil (to condition the wood)
  • 5 drops of lemon essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle.
  2. Spray lightly on the wood surface.
  3. Wipe in the direction of the grain with a soft cloth.

Because wood can be particularly sensitive to chemicals we suggest performing a small patch test before going full boar with this cleaning recipe.

Bathroom Surface Cleaner

The bathroom comes with unique germs and challenges that a cleaner must address. Try this DIY surface cleaner for soap scum, grime, and bacteria:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dish soap
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 10 drops tea tree oil or lavender oil

Instructions:

  1. Mix vinegar, dish soap, and warm water in a spray bottle.
  2. Add essential oil if desired.
  3. Spray the solution directly onto bathroom surfaces (tiles, countertops, etc.).
  4. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a sponge or cloth and rinse with water.

Concrete or Brick Cleaner

Perfect for outdoor patios or floors made of concrete or brick.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup bleach or oxygenated bleach
  • 1 tablespoon dish soap
  • 1 gallon warm water

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a bucket.
  2. Pour the solution over the concrete or brick surface.
  3. Scrub with a stiff brush, and rinse with water.

What to Avoid When Making and Using a Homemade Surface Cleaner

There you have it, how to make your own surface cleaner! Hopefully one of the recipes above aligns with your specific needs. 

But before you get to work mixing and using these cleaners, we want to share a few more tips to protect yourself and your surfaces from the common pitfalls of homemade surface cleaner recipes.

Check for Surface Compatibility

It’s no secret that different surfaces have different needs. The last thing you want is to cause more harm than good and damage a surface with an incompatible chemical. So, make sure the specific ingredients you’re putting together are safe for the surface in question. 

For example, vinegar can etch stone surfaces like marble or granite and leave them looking dull. On the other hand, wood surfaces can be warped or damaged by water-heavy cleaners. 

Avoid Combining Certain Ingredients

To complicate matters further, some ingredients won’t mesh well together. You can safely assume this won’t be a concern when you follow the surface cleaner DIY recipes we shared above, but it’s still important to be aware of.

For instance, mixing vinegar and bleach and create toxic chlorine gas, which is harmful to breathe. Meanwhile, baking soda and vinegar can essentially neutralise one another and create an ineffective cleaning solution. 

Beware of Allergens and Irritants

You also need to stay aware of potential allergens and irritants when applying cleaning products throughout a space. While many DIY cleaners rely on essential oils for fragrance and disinfecting properties, some of these can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. 

We also recommend avoiding ammonia as it can produce strong fumes in confined spaces. This common cleaning chemical can cause respiratory irritation, which is why we did not include it in any of our homemade surface cleaner recipes above.

Proper Dilution to Prevent Damage

Too much of a good thing can cause harm - this is a common mistake we see made in surface cleaner DIY. Over-concentrated cleaners can damage surfaces or leave behind residue, ultimately having the opposite intended effect.

Vinegar and essential oils in particular are of the most concern. Vinegar can be corrosive, whereas essential oils can leave behind an oily substance on surfaces. Both of these should be diluted at the appropriate rate.

Why Bother With a DIY Surface Cleaner When Professionally Formulated Solutions Are a Click Away at Jennychem?

It’s clear that while learning how to make your own surface cleaner seems straightforward, there are quite a few nuances that can affect both the safety and performance of your solution.

You should feel confident in your next steps for how to make surface cleaner at this point, but with professional formulations just a click away at Jennychem, why bother? 

Let’s face it. DIY solutions can be inconsistent and leave behind residue or fail to disinfect thoroughly. Worse, some DIYers end up wishing they’d trusted a professional cleaner because they end up damaging their surfaces.

All of this can be avoided with our versatile selection of surface cleaners here at Jennychem. We have something for everyone and every surface, including:

  • Multi-Purpose Disinfectant: This concentrated, broad-spectrum cleaner eliminates germs, bacteria, and viruses in kitchens, bathrooms, public areas, and anywhere in between. Use it stronger for more intense cleaning tasks or dilute it for economical, long-lasting performance. You’ll love the subtle, pleasant aroma.
  • Lemon Blast Surface Cleaner: Tackle grease and grime with this powerful cleaner for both daily use and heavy-duty jobs. Whether you're cleaning tiles or breaking down oil and grease, its versatile power leaves surfaces spotless. The refreshing lemon scent leaves any surface smelling fresh.
  • Pet-Friendly Disinfectant: This disinfectant cleans well without compromising safety. It’s available in eight different scents and can be diluted for an economical solution. Ideal for kennels, homes, or any space where pets frequent.
  • Blitz Ultra Surface Cleaner: High-traffic areas and tough kitchen messes are no match for this heavy-duty cleaner. It uses alkaline properties to break down stubborn grease and fat. It delivers a deep clean while polishing surfaces to a brilliant shine, ideal for home and professional use alike.

We don’t just have flat surface cleaner, though. Set yourself up for success by pairing one of our formulations with an industrial pressure washer for all your outdoor cleaning needs. Our Kranzle pressure washer lineup features the industry’s most sought-after machines from a trusted brand.

Or, if you're cleaning indoors, stock up on our microfibre cloths. We mean it when we say this is your one-stop shop for all your chemical and cleaning needs, from car cleaning products to weedkiller, we’ve got it all. 

So, what are you waiting for? Experience the difference quality cleaning products can make by stocking up your arsenal at Jennychem today!

Final Thoughts on How to Make Surface Cleaner

As we wrap up this guide on how to make your own surface cleaner we want to remind you that, although DIY surface cleaner is appealing, it may not be right for you. These can compromise cleaning results and safety, and they can also be quite the hassle.

You’re far better off leaving the chemical cleaner formulation to the experts here at Jennychem. We’ve already done the hard work of creating safe, effective solutions for a variety of solutions.

Want to learn more about how to use patio cleaner specifically? Explore our blog for resources such as:

But whether you’re looking for the best patio cleaner or the best driveway cleaner, remember that Jennychem has you covered with world-class solutions backed by unparalleled customer service. 

Shop today to save yourself the time and stress of homemade surface cleaner while ensuring professional results across your entire home or business!

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