The essentials in 30 seconds
NYC Health suggests making homemade cleaners from common items such as baking soda, mild dish soap and lemon juice. Simple mixes published in an EPA-hosted guide include 1 cup of white vinegar in 1 quart of warm water for surfaces and windows, baking soda dissolved in hot water as a general cleaner and a baking soda paste instead of scouring powder. The rule that matters most: never mix bleach with ammonia, acids (vinegar included) or other cleaners. Bleach and ammonia make toxic chloramine gases; bleach and acids release chlorine gas.
- Make one simple mix at a time and use it on its own.
- Open windows or turn on a fan, and wear gloves if a product irritates your skin.
- Keep every cleaning product, homemade or not, away from children and pets.
Why make natural cleaning products
NYC Health explains that many cleaning products contain ingredients that can be dangerous if they are breathed in, swallowed or come into contact with skin or eyes, and recommends non-toxic options. It suggests avoiding products labelled "DANGER", "POISON" or "WARNING" where possible, choosing unscented or fragrance-free products, and making simple cleaners at home. It also warns that even homemade products can cause health problems in sensitive people if they are not used carefully.
How to make natural cleaning products
| Use | Mix | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Surfaces | 1 cup of white vinegar in 1 quart of warm water | EPA-hosted boater's guide |
| Windows and glass | 1 cup of white vinegar in 1 quart of water | EPA-hosted boater's guide |
| General cleaning | Baking soda dissolved in hot water | EPA-hosted boater's guide |
| Instead of scouring powder | Baking soda | EPA-hosted boater's guide |
| Bathroom and shower | Baking soda and water, brushed thoroughly | EPA-hosted boater's guide |
| Everyday cleaning | Baking soda, mild dish soap, lemon juice | NYC Health |
Mix each recipe on its own, in a clean container. Never add any of them to a commercial product, and never combine a vinegar mix with bleach: vinegar is an acid.
Combinations that release toxic gases
| Mixture | What it produces | Effects of exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Bleach + ammonia (including some glass cleaners, urine) | Chloramine gases | Coughing, nausea, shortness of breath, watery eyes, chest pain, throat, nose and eye irritation, wheezing, pneumonia and fluid in the lungs |
| Bleach + acids (vinegar, some toilet bowl, drain and rust cleaners) | Chlorine gas | Eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing and breathing problems; higher levels cause chest pain, vomiting, pneumonia and fluid in the lungs; very high levels can cause death |
| Bleach + other products (some oven cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, some insecticides) | Reactions | Do not mix |
Many products contain bleach without saying so in their name: the Washington State Department of Health points out that many labels state they contain bleach, so read the label before using any cleaning product.
Using cleaning products safely
-
01
Read the label
Of every product, and follow the directions.
-
02
Ventilate
Open windows or turn on the bathroom fan.
-
03
Protect your skin
Waterproof gloves if a product may irritate.
-
04
One product at a time
Never combine products, homemade or bought.
-
05
Store safely
Away from children and pets.
Natural cleaning for the fridge and microwave
Appliance manufacturers also use simple mixes in their own instructions: Whirlpool suggests baking soda in warm water (about one tablespoon per quart) or white vinegar diluted 1:1 with water, rinsed off, inside the fridge. See how to clean a microwave and how to clean a refrigerator properly.
Homemade cleaning products: frequently asked questions
How do I make a natural all-purpose cleaner?
A simple option from public agency guidance is 1 cup of white vinegar in 1 quart of warm water, or baking soda dissolved in hot water. Use each one on its own.
Can I mix vinegar and bleach to make a stronger cleaner?
No. Vinegar is an acid, and bleach mixed with an acid gives off chlorine gas, which irritates the eyes, nose and throat and can be deadly at very high levels.
Is it safe to mix bleach and ammonia?
No. Together they produce toxic chloramine gases. Remember that some glass cleaners contain ammonia.
Are homemade cleaners always safe?
No. NYC Health warns that even homemade products can cause health problems in sensitive people if they are not used carefully.
What should I do if I breathed fumes from mixed cleaners?
If you have symptoms, contact a health care provider or emergency services.
Sources
Public health and environmental agency guidance, checked on 2 November 2026 (02/11/2026).
- Washington State Department of Health · Dangers of mixing bleach with cleaners ↗Never mix bleach with ammonia, acids or other cleaners; chloramines and chlorine gas and their symptoms; products that contain ammonia or acids; oven cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, insecticides and pool chemicals; reading labels; contacting a health care provider or 911.
- NYC Health · Safe and green cleaning products ↗Harmful ingredients; signal words; fragrance-free products; homemade cleaners with baking soda, mild dish soap and lemon juice; never mix bleach with ammonia or other products; ventilation, gloves, children and pets; homemade products and sensitive people.
- Whirlpool · Cleaning the interior of the refrigerator ↗Baking soda about one tablespoon per quart of warm water; white vinegar diluted 1:1 and rinsed; no bleach or harsh cleaners inside the fridge. Read in the browser.
- A boater's guide to less-toxic cleaning (California Integrated Waste Management Board, hosted by the US EPA) ↗Vinegar in water for surfaces and windows; baking soda dissolved in hot water; baking soda instead of scouring powder; baking soda and water for the bathroom.
Mixed two products by mistake?
Leave the room, get fresh air and, if anyone has symptoms, contact a health care provider or emergency services.