Skip to content
Field Notes

All-Purpose Cleaner

soap detergent
household all-purpose castile cleaner unprocessed
Mix 2 min
Yield 16 oz spray bottle
Keeps 1 month
Storage spray bottle
Notes Shake gently before each use. Use distilled water for longer shelf life.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups distilled water
  • 2 tbsp liquid castile soap (unscented)
  • 15 drops tea tree essential oil — antibacterial — optional but recommended
  • 10 drops lemon or lavender essential oil — optional — for scent

Overview

This is the workhorse cleaner for the entire house. Castile soap is a surfactant — it reduces the surface tension of water, allowing it to encapsulate dirt and grease in tiny molecular spheres (called micelles) that rinse away cleanly. Tea tree oil adds genuine antibacterial and antifungal properties. Together, they handle 90% of everyday household cleaning.

The formula is deliberately simple: water, soap, and optional essential oils. More soap is not better — castile soap is highly concentrated and too much will leave a white residue on surfaces.

Do not add vinegar to this recipe. Vinegar is acidic and will react with the castile soap, curdling it into an oily mess. If you want to use vinegar as a cleaner (it’s great on its own), keep it in a separate spray bottle and use it for different tasks. See the tips section for a two-spray system.

Instructions

  1. Add the distilled water to a spray bottle (glass preferred if using essential oils).

  2. Add the castile soap. Add water first, soap second — this prevents excess foaming.

  3. Add essential oils if using.

  4. Cap and shake gently to combine.

How to Use

Shake gently before each use. Spray the surface, let sit for a moment, then wipe with a damp cloth. Rinse the cloth as needed.

Works great on:

  • Kitchen countertops (not marble or granite — see note below)
  • Stovetops and oven exteriors
  • Sinks
  • Cabinets and appliance surfaces
  • Bathroom vanities, tubs, and tile
  • Door knobs and light switches
  • Baseboards and walls (spot cleaning)

Do NOT use on:

  • Marble, granite, or natural stone (the soap can dull the finish over time)
  • Glass and mirrors (will leave streaks — use the Glass Cleaner recipe instead)
  • Waxed wood surfaces

The Two-Spray System

The most effective natural cleaning setup is two spray bottles:

  1. This all-purpose castile spray — for everyday cleaning of most surfaces
  2. A simple vinegar spray (1 part white vinegar to 1 part water) — for glass, mirrors, mineral deposits, and disinfecting

Between these two bottles, you can clean virtually everything in your house. Just never mix them together.

Tips

  • Less is more with castile soap. If you’re seeing a white film on surfaces after cleaning, you’re using too much. Stick to 2 tbsp per 16 oz of water.
  • For tougher jobs, spray the surface and let it sit for 2–3 minutes before wiping. The surfactants need time to break down the grime.
  • Tea tree oil is a real disinfectant, not just marketing. Studies show it has genuine antibacterial and antifungal properties. It’s worth including.
  • Distilled water extends shelf life by preventing bacterial growth. If using tap water, use within 1–2 weeks.