All recipes use ingredients available at any grocery or health food store. No special equipment needed. Start with whichever recipe replaces something you use every day.
No recipes matched your search. Try an ingredient like “vinegar” or “baking soda”.
Replaces: Windex, Lysol spray
Ingredients
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 15 drops tea tree oil
- 10 drops lavender oil
Instructions
- Combine all in a 16oz glass spray bottle.
- Shake gently.
- Spray and wipe with microfiber cloth.
- Do not use on marble or granite.
Shelf life: 3–6 months. Shake before use.
Replaces: Lysol disinfectant, bleach sprays
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup isopropyl alcohol (70%+)
- 10 drops tea tree oil
- 5 drops eucalyptus oil
Instructions
- Mix in glass spray bottle.
- Spray and let sit 30 seconds before wiping.
- Test on small area first.
Shelf life: 6 months.
Replaces: Windex, ammonia-based cleaners
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup white vinegar
- ¼ cup rubbing alcohol (70%)
Instructions
- Mix in glass spray bottle.
- Spray on glass.
- Wipe with lint-free microfiber cloth in circular motions.
Shelf life: 6 months.
Replaces: Comet, Ajax
Ingredients
- 1 cup baking soda
- ¼ cup castile soap
- 10 drops lemon oil
- Water to consistency
Instructions
- Mix baking soda and castile soap.
- Add oil.
- Add water a tsp at a time until thick paste.
- Scrub, rinse thoroughly.
Shelf life: Use within 2 weeks.
Replaces: Toilet Duck, bleach toilet cleaners
Ingredients
- 1 cup baking soda
- ½ cup citric acid
- 20 drops tea tree oil
- 15 drops peppermint oil
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Add oils and mix.
- Pour ½ cup in bowl.
- Let fizz 10 minutes.
- Scrub and flush.
Shelf life: 6 months — store dry, airtight.
Replaces: Bleach mold sprays, Tilex
Ingredients
- 1 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 10 drops tea tree oil
Instructions
- Mix in dark glass spray bottle (light degrades peroxide).
- Spray directly on mold or mildew.
- Let sit 10 minutes without wiping.
- Scrub and rinse.
Shelf life: 1 month. Keep out of direct light.
Replaces: Pledge, synthetic furniture sprays
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
Instructions
- Mix in a small jar.
- Apply a small amount to a cloth.
- Rub into wood in the direction of the grain.
- Buff with a dry cloth.
Shelf life: 2 weeks at room temp, 1 month refrigerated.
Replaces: Easy-Off, commercial oven cleaners
Ingredients
- 1 cup baking soda
- 2 tbsp dish soap
- Water to paste consistency
Instructions
- Mix into thick paste.
- Spread all over oven interior — avoid heating elements.
- Let sit overnight (8+ hours).
- Wipe out with damp cloth. Spray with vinegar to help lift residue.
Make fresh each use.
Replaces: Drano, Liquid-Plumr
Ingredients
- ½ cup baking soda
- ½ cup white vinegar
- Boiling water
Instructions
- Pour baking soda down drain.
- Follow with vinegar — it will fizz.
- Cover drain and wait 15 minutes.
- Flush with boiling water.
Use as needed for maintenance. For severe clogs use a drain snake.
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canaryapp.co
Replaces: Febreze, plug-in fresheners
Ingredients
- ¾ cup distilled water
- 2 tbsp witch hazel
- 20 drops essential oil (lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus)
Instructions
- Add witch hazel to 4oz glass bottle.
- Add oils and shake.
- Top with water and shake.
- Mist into air or onto fabrics — shake before each use.
Shelf life: 3–4 months.
Replaces: Scented candles, plug-in fresheners
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 sliced lemon
- 2 rosemary sprigs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Add all to a small pot.
- Bring to gentle simmer on low.
- Add water as needed.
- Never leave unattended. Remove after 2 hours.
Shelf life: Same day. Refrigerate and reuse up to 3 days.
Replaces: Paraffin scented candles
Ingredients
- 1 cup beeswax pellets
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- Cotton wick
- Small glass jar
- 15 drops essential oil
Instructions
- Melt beeswax and coconut oil in double boiler.
- Cool to ~65°C.
- Add oils and stir.
- Secure wick in jar.
- Pour slowly and let set 4+ hours.
Burns 20–30 hours per 1 cup wax.
Replaces: Store-bought reed diffusers, plug-in fresheners
Ingredients
- ¼ cup sweet almond or safflower oil
- 3 tbsp rubbing alcohol
- 30–40 drops essential oil of choice
- 6–8 bamboo skewers or reed sticks
- Small glass vase or jar
Instructions
- Mix oils and alcohol in jar.
- Insert reeds and let soak 1 hour.
- Flip reeds to saturate top ends.
- Flip reeds every few days to refresh scent.
Shelf life: 1–3 months depending on room size.
Replaces: Febreze fabric spray, synthetic linen sprays
Ingredients
- 1 cup distilled water
- 2 tbsp witch hazel
- 15 drops lavender oil
- 5 drops cedarwood oil
Instructions
- Mix in a 4oz glass spray bottle.
- Shake well before each use.
- Mist lightly over pillows, sheets, or curtains.
- Allow to dry before contact.
Shelf life: 3 months.
Replaces: Dawn, Palmolive
Ingredients
- 1 cup liquid castile soap
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 10 drops lemon oil
Instructions
- Mix castile soap and water in dispenser.
- Add vinegar and oil.
- Shake gently.
- Use same amount as regular soap.
Shelf life: 1–2 months.
Replaces: Cascade, Finish, commercial dishwasher pods
Ingredients
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup baking soda
- ½ cup citric acid
- ¼ cup coarse salt
- White vinegar in rinse aid compartment
Instructions
- Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly.
- Store in airtight container.
- Use 1–2 tbsp per load in detergent compartment.
- Fill rinse aid compartment with white vinegar.
Shelf life: 6 months airtight. Do not let moisture in.
Replaces: Commercial produce washes
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp baking soda
Instructions
- Mix water, vinegar, lemon juice.
- Add baking soda slowly (will fizz).
- Spray on produce, sit 2 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly.
Shelf life: 1 week refrigerated.
Replaces: Commercial cast iron conditioners
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp flaxseed oil or beef tallow
Instructions
- Clean and dry cast iron completely.
- Apply thin layer of oil all over.
- Bake upside down at 230°C for 1 hour.
- Cool inside oven.
- Repeat 3–4 times for new pans.
Shelf life: Indefinite when maintained.
Replaces: Antibacterial sprays on wood boards
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp coarse salt
- Half a lemon
Instructions
- Sprinkle coarse salt over the board.
- Scrub with the cut side of the lemon, squeezing as you go.
- Let sit 5 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water and dry immediately.
Use as needed. Do not soak wood boards in water.
Replaces: Weiman, commercial stainless steel sprays
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp white vinegar
Instructions
- Mix in a small bowl.
- Apply with a soft cloth in the direction of the grain.
- Buff with a dry cloth to shine.
- Use vinegar first if there are water spots, then follow with oil.
Make fresh each use.
Replaces: Conventional deodorant with aluminum
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 3 tbsp shea butter
- 3 tbsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder
- 10 drops lavender or tea tree oil
Instructions
- Melt coconut oil and shea butter.
- Stir in baking soda and arrowroot.
- Add oils.
- Pour into jar or deodorant stick.
- Let solidify at room temp.
Shelf life: 3–6 months.
Replaces: Synthetic fragrance toners, alcohol toners
Ingredients
- ½ cup witch hazel
- ½ cup rose water
- 5 drops frankincense oil
Instructions
- Mix in small glass bottle.
- Apply with cotton pad after cleansing.
- Shake before each use.
Shelf life: 3 months.
Replaces: Listerine, Scope, alcohol-based mouthwash
Ingredients
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 10 drops spearmint essential oil
- 5 drops clove essential oil
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
- ½ tsp xylitol (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all in a glass jar. Shake well.
- Swish 1–2 tbsp for 30–60 seconds, then spit.
- Do not swallow.
Shelf life: Up to 3 weeks. Shake before each use.
Replaces: ChapStick, EOS, commercial lip balms with petrolatum
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp beeswax pellets
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp shea butter
- 1 vitamin E capsule
- 5 drops peppermint or vanilla oil
Instructions
- Melt beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter in double boiler.
- Remove from heat. Add vitamin E and essential oil.
- Pour immediately into lip balm tubes or small tins.
- Let set 30 minutes without moving.
Shelf life: 1 year.
Replaces: Commercial body scrubs with microplastics and synthetic fragrance
Ingredients
- 1 cup white or brown sugar
- ½ cup coconut oil or olive oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or 10 drops essential oil
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Mix sugar and oil until combined.
- Add vanilla or essential oil and mix.
- Store in a glass jar.
- Scoop with a dry spoon to keep water out.
Shelf life: 1 month at room temp, 3 months refrigerated.
Replaces: Batiste, Dove dry shampoos (often contain butane propellant and synthetic fragrance)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder (for dark hair — skip for light hair)
- 5 drops lavender or rosemary oil
Instructions
- Mix ingredients together.
- Apply to roots with a makeup brush or fingertips.
- Wait 2 minutes, then massage in and brush through.
Shelf life: 6 months.
Replaces: Conventional shampoos with sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrance
Ingredients
- ½ cup liquid castile soap
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 tsp jojoba or almond oil
- 15 drops rosemary or lavender oil
Instructions
- Combine all in a squeeze bottle.
- Shake well before each use.
- Apply to wet hair, lather, and rinse thoroughly.
- Follow with apple cider vinegar rinse if needed.
Shelf life: 3–4 weeks. Refrigerate to extend.
Replaces: Tide, Gain, synthetic detergents
Ingredients
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup baking soda
- ½ cup castile soap (grated or liquid)
- 20 drops essential oil
Instructions
- Mix washing soda and baking soda.
- Add castile soap and mix well.
- Add oils.
- Use 2–3 tbsp per load. Store airtight.
Shelf life: 6 months.
Replaces: Downy, dryer sheets, fabric softener
Ingredients
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 20 drops essential oil
Instructions
- Mix vinegar and oils in a bottle.
- Add ¼ cup to fabric softener compartment.
- Vinegar smell disappears when dry.
Shelf life: Indefinite.
Replaces: OxiClean, Shout, Spray ‘n Wash
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp dish soap
- 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide (3%)
Instructions
- Mix into paste.
- Apply directly to stain and rub in.
- Let sit 15–30 minutes.
- Wash as normal. Test on hidden area first for delicates.
Make fresh each use — hydrogen peroxide loses potency quickly.
Replaces: Dryer sheets, scented dryer balls
Ingredients
- 10–15 drops essential oil (lavender, cedarwood, or lemon)
- Wool dryer balls
Instructions
- Add 10–15 drops of essential oil to each wool dryer ball.
- Let absorb for 15 minutes before use.
- Toss in dryer with laundry as normal.
- Reapply oil every 3–5 loads.
Wool balls last 1,000+ loads.
Replaces: Bleach, OxiClean White Revive
Ingredients
- 1 cup hydrogen peroxide (3%)
- ½ cup baking soda
- Hot water to fill sink or bucket
Instructions
- Fill sink with hot water.
- Add hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, stir.
- Submerge whites and soak 1–3 hours.
- Wash as normal. Do not use on colours.
Make fresh each use.
