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For routine cleaning, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2022 brochure gives a simple alkaline spray recipe: mix ½ teaspoon washing soda, 2 teaspoons borax and ½ teaspoon liquid soap or detergent in a spray bottle, then add 2 cups hot water and shake until dissolved. But “all-purpose” does not mean suitable for every surface: check the material manufacturer’s care instructions and do not use this homemade mixture on a surface whose compatibility you cannot verify.
EPA’s alkaline all-purpose cleaner recipe
The EPA’s 2022 Green Cleaning: Non-toxic cleaning recipes for your home describes this formula:
- ½ teaspoon washing soda
- 2 teaspoons borax
- ½ teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
- 2 cups hot water
How to mix and use it
- Put the washing soda, borax and liquid soap or detergent in a spray bottle.
- Add the hot water and shake until the ingredients dissolve.
- Spray the surface and wipe it with a clean cloth. For tougher dirt, the EPA brochure says to let the cleaner sit for a few minutes before wiping.
The brochure says baking soda can replace washing soda for a gentler, less caustic variation. That is a recipe variation, not a guarantee of compatibility with any particular material.
Why it is not literally for every surface
“All-purpose” describes a general household cleaner, not a universal material-safety claim. The EPA’s Safer Choice guidance notes that household ingredients can be hazardous when used improperly, and the available EPA guidance does not establish that this homemade formula is safe and effective on every finish or material.
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- Check the surface manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before applying it.
- When the care instructions allow, test an inconspicuous spot first and check for damage or discoloration.
- If you cannot verify compatibility, choose a cleaner specified for that surface rather than trying the homemade mixture.
- Do not assume a recipe that suits one countertop, fixture or floor will suit another, even if they look similar.
The EPA brochure also lists a separate acid cleaner: ¼ cup white distilled vinegar or lemon juice, ½ teaspoon liquid detergent and ¾ cup warm water. It is a distinct recipe, not an ingredient to add to the alkaline formula. The brochure gives the vinegar version an indefinite shelf life; it says the lemon-juice version lasts only a few days and should be refrigerated.
Use it for cleaning, not disinfection
This recipe is for routine cleaning. The EPA says homemade cleaners typically do not perform as well as specially formulated commercial products, and the recipe should not be treated as a disinfectant or as a substitute for a product whose label makes an antimicrobial claim.
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- KILLS 99.9% OF GERMS FOR A DEEP CLEAN: This disinfectant spray kills 99.9% of germs, removes soap scum and cuts through tough grease and grime — a versatile, multipurpose cleaner you can count on
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If you need to disinfect, use an appropriate product according to its label, including the listed surface suitability and contact time—the length of time the surface must remain wet. Do not combine that product with the homemade cleaner.
Important mixing, ventilation and storage precautions
- Never mix cleaning products. In particular, never add bleach to other chemicals; the EPA warns that mixing products can create toxic vapors. Use one cleaner at a time and follow its label.
- Ventilate the area during and after cleaning, as the EPA recommends.
- Put any mixture in a properly labeled container, away from children and pets. Never use a food or beverage container.
- Follow the recipe-specific storage directions: the EPA brochure lists an indefinite shelf life for its vinegar version, but only a few days for the lemon-juice version, which should be refrigerated. It does not provide a comparable shelf-life figure for the alkaline recipe.
Do not confuse this recipe with another EPA toolkit card
The EPA’s 2024 Detox Your Domicile Tool Kit includes an “All-Purpose Cleaner” card listing ½ cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar. The toolkit says those recipes were suggested by webinar participants and that sharing them does not imply EPA endorsement. This participant-suggested card is not the same formula as the EPA brochure recipe above, so do not combine their quantities or ingredients.
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