Why You Might Want Fewer Detergents In Your Cupboard
Cutting back on store-bought detergents doesn’t mean letting dirt pile up or your home smelling like last week’s leftovers. It just means thinking a bit differently. I started noticing how many bottles I had under my kitchen sink—different ones for windows, worktops, ovens, loos, limescale, laundry, and then some. And still, somehow, I’d run out. It was draining the bank account, cluttering the cupboards, and honestly, it made cleaning feel more complicated than it needed to be.
The truth is, you don’t need a different product for every surface. You also don’t need to sacrifice cleanliness, freshness or hygiene to use less. There are clever ways to clean that cost less, work just as well, and don’t coat your home in chemicals. Whether you’re trying to save money, cut down on waste, avoid harsh ingredients, or just simplify your life a bit, reducing your use of store-bought detergents is a step in the right direction. Let’s look at what’s in it for you—and how to make it work.
The Real Perks Of Using Fewer Detergents
Less strain on the family budget
If you’ve ever added up how much you spend on cleaning products in a year, the number might make you wince. I did a rough count once and nearly dropped my mop. Laundry liquids, toilet cleaners, floor sprays, disinfectants… the list goes on. And it all adds up.
Cutting back doesn’t mean letting go of hygiene. It just means being smarter about what you use. A single bottle of white vinegar or bicarbonate of soda can replace several of those pricey branded bottles. You can save hundreds of pounds over time just by switching up your habits.
Healthier homes, fewer sneezes
Ever cleaned your shower with one of those powerful sprays and had to leave the room because the fumes made your eyes water? Yep, me too. Many store-bought detergents are full of ingredients you probably wouldn’t want to breathe in—or let your kids or pets near.
By reducing your use of chemical-heavy cleaners, you can help cut down on indoor air pollution and skin irritants. People with allergies or asthma often notice a real difference. You’re also less likely to get that dry, itchy feeling after scrubbing down the bathroom.
Kinder to the planet
Most detergents come in plastic bottles, often non-recyclable or made with lots of energy and water in the production process. Then there’s the run-off—those synthetic chemicals end up in waterways after you rinse them down the sink.
Using fewer of these products means creating less waste and releasing fewer toxins into the environment. And if you’re switching to natural alternatives, even better. You can clean your home without leaving a chemical trail behind.
One Cleaner To Rule Them All? It’s Not A Myth
The multi-purpose cleaner: your new best friend
Some clever marketing convinced us we need something different for every bit of the house. Kitchen spray with lemon for surfaces. Bathroom bleach for the loo. Glass spray for mirrors. Limescale remover for taps. But most of these products are doing nearly the same job—just with different packaging and perfumes.
Truth is, a good multi-purpose cleaner can cover 90% of your daily cleaning jobs. Whether you buy one or make your own, it’s your best weapon in the fight against grime. I’ve used the same homemade mix for my kitchen surfaces, bathroom tiles, even the inside of the fridge. It cuts through grease, lifts dirt, and leaves things sparkling.
Don’t let labels fool you
That lavender-scented toilet cleaner? It’s basically a strong bleach. That floral floor cleaner? Just a scented detergent. Once you look past the labels, you’ll see how often you’re buying the same stuff in different bottles.
Start testing your all-purpose cleaner in different areas. You might find you don’t need that long shopping list of different bottles after all. Fewer products means fewer decisions—and fewer things to run out of.
Getting Creative With DIY Home Cleaners
Pantry staples to the rescue
I never thought vinegar would become one of my most used cleaning products, but here we are. It’s brilliant for breaking down grease, tackling limescale, and making glass shine. Mixed with water in a spray bottle, it works wonders in the kitchen and bathroom. Add a few drops of lemon juice and it even smells fresh.
Then there’s bicarbonate of soda. It’s a mild abrasive and a natural deodoriser. I use it to scrub the sink, freshen the fridge, clean the oven, and even lift stains from mugs. Pair it with vinegar and you’ve got a fizzy combo that makes grout look new again.
Lemons aren’t just for G&Ts, either. Rub half a lemon on a chopping board and watch it brighten up and smell amazing. Use the juice to clean limescale off taps or freshen up the microwave with a steam clean.
Add a bit of fragrance with essential oils
If you miss the ‘cleaning product’ smell, essential oils are your friend. A few drops of tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus or orange oil in your DIY cleaners can add that familiar, fresh scent. They also have antibacterial properties, depending on the oil.
Just be mindful if you’ve got pets—some essential oils aren’t safe for dogs or cats. Always check before using them.
Still Using Commercial Detergents? Just Use Less
Don’t chuck the whole bottle at the problem
You don’t need half a cap of laundry detergent for one load. You might not need any fabric softener at all, depending on the clothes. Most of us use way more than the instructions say—usually because we think more product means better cleaning.
Try using half the usual amount and see if there’s a difference. In most cases, there won’t be. I halved my laundry detergent usage and everything still comes out clean. The machine even smells fresher without that buildup.
Stretch out your stash
You can make shop-bought detergents last longer by diluting them for light jobs. That thick washing-up liquid? Add a bit of water. Bathroom spray running low? Refill the bottle with water and give it a shake. You’ll still get plenty of cleaning power without using up the whole thing in one go.
Also, try alternating between homemade and shop-bought cleaners. Use the stronger stuff only when you really need it—like a deep-clean day or a greasy oven.
Handy DIY Cleaner Recipes To Get You Started
All-purpose cleaner spray
- 1 part white vinegar
- 1 part water
- A few drops of lemon juice or essential oil
Perfect for: worktops, fridges, tiles, light grease, mirrors (avoid marble or granite).
Bathroom scrub
- 3 tbsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tbsp liquid soap (any will do)
- A few drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil
Great for: tiles, sinks, tubs, and limescale around taps.
Glass and mirror spray
- 1 part vinegar
- 1 part water
- Microfibre cloth
Spray and wipe for streak-free shine.
Fabric freshener
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda
- 10 drops of lavender or peppermint oil
Spritz on curtains, sofas, or dog beds to keep things smelling fresh.
The Clean Takeaway
You don’t need ten different bottles to have a clean home. Just a few smart switches, some cupboard basics, and a bit of trust in your own creativity can go a long way. I didn’t go detergent-free overnight, but I started cutting down where I could. That one bottle of vinegar became three bottles I didn’t have to buy. My skin stopped getting itchy. My wallet breathed a little easier.
Once you see how well it works, you’ll wonder why you ever bought into all that over-packaged, over-priced fluff. Cleaning should be simple, safe, and satisfying. And now it is.