GIY Explained: Non-Toxic DIY Cleaning and Body Care

Lisa holding up GIY cleaning sprays, smiling. — Photo by Josh McMurtrie

Thinking back to 2011 is a little fuzzy—my kids were toddlers, and most days felt like a sprint. That year I coined the phrase “Green-It-Yourself,” shortened to “GIY,” when I wrote about tackling soap scum. GIY is my twist on DIY, and it means making effective, low-toxicity cleaning and body-care products at home using simple, safe ingredients.

Green-It-Yourself is my expression for DIY recipes

Green-It-Yourself (GIY) describes simple, homemade versions of cleaning and body-care products made without harsh or potentially harmful ingredients. The idea is straightforward: use common, low-toxicity components—like baking soda, vinegar, plant oils, and gentle soaps—to create safe, effective formulations for everyday use.

I use the term to describe recipes that are transparent, customizable, and gentle on people, pets, and the environment. GIY isn’t limited to cleaners; it includes lotions, scrubs, hand soaps, wipes, and other body-care items that rely on plant-based ingredients and a few minerals for performance.

Why I GIY

Making my own cleaners and body-care products has several benefits:

Ingredient transparency: I know exactly what’s in each recipe because I make it myself—no hidden or proprietary ingredients.
Lower hazard: GIY formulations use a short list of low-tox ingredients, so spills or accidental misuse are unlikely to cause harm beyond a mess.
Better indoor air quality: These recipes avoid volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and strong synthetic fragrances that can contribute to indoor air pollution.
Simpler skincare: Homemade body-care options reduce the number of unfamiliar chemicals applied to skin and avoid many common cosmetic allergens.
Cost-effective: GIY recipes are often cheaper than commercial products, especially when you buy pantry staples in bulk.
Less packaging waste: Making only what you need and refilling containers reduces single-use packaging. Repurposing jars and buying bulk ingredients further lowers waste.
Customizable and fun: You can adjust scent, texture, and strength, and experiment with essential oil blends to suit your preferences.

GIY recipes to get you started

All my GIY recipes are collected on the GIY category page, but here are the most popular and useful ones to try first. These are practical, easy to mix up, and tested in everyday home life.

GIY body care recipes

Foaming Hand Soap with Castile Soap – My most requested recipe. Easy to make and great for everyday handwashing.
Wipe-Off Castile Body Wash Spray – A useful solution for anyone who can’t take a full shower; handy after injuries or for travel.
GIY Baby Wipes – Versatile wipes for babies, hands, and quick cleanups on the go.
3 GIY Castile Soap Body Scrubs – Exfoliating scrubs using sugars, salts, or coffee grounds to smooth and refresh skin.
GIY Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub – A nourishing, luxurious scrub to soften dry hands and rough skin.
GIY Lip Scrubs and Tinted Lip Balms – Simple lip treatments made with coconut oil and natural balms for a little pampering or gifting.
GIY Pet Wipes – Gentle wipes to clean paws, faces, and other areas on pets between baths.

GIY home care recipes

Castile Soap Garden Spray – An eco-friendly way to deter pests without harming plants.
GIY Soft Scrub with Dr. Bronner’s – A gentle abrasive for sinks, tubs, and surfaces; test on a small area first.
GIY All-Purpose Cleaning Spray – The first GIY recipe I made; a versatile cleaner for kitchen, bath, and living areas.
GIY Housecleaning Wipes – Reduce waste and control ingredients on high-touch surfaces.
GIY Glass Cleaner – A simple homemade alternative to commercial glass cleaners.
Scouring Powder – A go-to scrub for stubborn grime and also useful as a carpet deodorizer.

Further resources to help you in your GIY journey

Usage & Dilution Cheat Sheets

For convenience, I’ve compiled cheat sheets showing dilutions and uses for Dr. Bronner’s products and other common GIY ingredients. These sheets cover laundry, dishes, hair treatments, and more—handy to download or print for reference:

Castile Magic Soap Cheat Sheet
Castile Magic Bar Soap Cheat Sheet
Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner Cheat Sheet
Virgin Coconut Oil Cheat Sheet

GIY Recipe Labels

Because DIY containers don’t have the distinctive packaging of store-bought products, labeling is important. I offer printable labels that list each recipe and refill instructions. Print them on sticker paper or affix them with clear tape to keep them readable when wet.

Download your GIY Labels here!

Green-It-Yourself FAQs

What first step should I take to GIY?

Start small: choose one store-bought product you use frequently and replace it with a GIY recipe. The glass cleaner and the foaming hand soap are both easy, confidence-building first steps.

How does a DIY recipe differ from a GIY recipe?

Both are homemade, but GIY emphasizes simple, low-tox ingredients you likely already have at home, prioritizing health and environmental impact.

What does green cleaning mean?

Green cleaning uses eco-friendly ingredients and practices that protect people, pets, and plants; minimize residues and harmful emissions; and reduce downstream environmental impacts.

What do I need for green cleaning and other GIY recipes?

Most GIY ingredients are pantry staples: baking soda, vinegar, sugar, coconut oil, hydrogen peroxide, and water. Dr. Bronner’s Castile soaps and Sal Suds are useful multipurpose ingredients. Use clean or new containers rather than ones that held harsh commercial cleaners.

What if I can’t give up a conventional product?

Take your time. Start where change is easiest and build confidence. Often, once you try a few GIY solutions and see they work, it becomes easier to replace the remaining products.

How can I get used to the smell of homemade products?

Conventional products often rely on heavy synthetic fragrances. To retrain your sense of “clean,” experiment with certified organic essential oils (tea tree with eucalyptus is a clean-feeling combo), use simmer pots with citrus and spices, or simply get accustomed to a less heavily scented home. Address any persistent source odors directly rather than masking them.

Conclusion

My aim with GIY is to leave things better than I found them—fresher indoor air, fewer residues on surfaces, and lower environmental impact from formulations and packaging. These GIY recipes help you take practical steps toward a cleaner, safer home while reducing waste and saving money.

Many GIY recipes are also included in my book, Soap & Soul: A Practical Guide to Minding Your Home, Your Body, and Your Spirit with Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, available in hardback, eBook, and audiobook formats.

Note: Sal Suds cleaner shows >60% biodegradation after 28 days per ISO 14593.