My Stone-Safe, Budget-Friendly All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe

Let’s be real, most store-bought “all-purpose” cleaners are anything but all-purpose. They either destroy your granite, overwhelm you with fake fragrances, or leave behind a chemical film you don’t want your kids crawling through.

This DIY cleaner is my daily go-to. It takes under a minute to make, works on almost every surface (yes, even natural stone), and costs less than a buck per bottle.

If you’re on a low-tox journey but still want something that actually works, this one’s for you.

Here’s the deal:

✅ It’s safer than traditional chemical cleaners — no ammonia, bleach, or hormone-disrupting fragrance.

✅ It’s effective — rubbing alcohol and Castile soap tag-team grease, grime, and germs beautifully.

✅ It’s affordable — store-bought “clean” brands charge $5–$10 per bottle. Mine? Under $1.

✅ It’s stone-safe — no vinegar means your marble, quartz, and granite are safe.

✅ It’s customizable — want lavender instead of lemon? No scent at all? Totally your call.

For a 16 oz spray bottle

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (2 oz) rubbing alcohol (70% or higher)

• 1 tsp Castile soap (unscented or lemon-scented)

• 10–15 drops lemon essential oil (optional — for scent only)

• 1 3/4 cups (14 oz) distilled or filtered water
  
  

Instructions:

• Add the rubbing alcohol and Castile soap to your spray bottle.

• Add essential oil if using. Lemon or Lemon grass is my favorite!

• Fill the rest of the bottle with water and shake gently.

Let’s talk about it.

Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) isn’t something you’d want to drink or inhale heavily. In fact, in large amounts, it’s toxic —just like most substances.

But in small, diluted doses used for cleaning, it’s:

• Safer than bleach or ammonia

• Effective at disinfecting

• Quick to evaporate

• Free from harsh residues

• Not known to disrupt hormones like synthetic fragrances or quaternary ammonium compounds

In other words: It’s not edible or totally non-toxic, but in the hierarchy of cleaning agents, it’s a massive upgrade from what’s in most store-bought sprays.

You can also swap in high-proof vodka if you want something technically food-safe.

This DIY cleaner has saved me hundreds of dollars and helped me keep toxic junk off my family’s surfaces. It’s not about perfection it’s about being intentional and informed.

If you're trying to cut back on chemical exposure while still keeping your home actually clean, this is an easy, no-brainer swap.

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