Essential Oil Recipes for Homemade Cleaning Products

Products like disinfectants, laundry detergents and soaps have much healthier alternatives than the store bought chemicals.

Dish soap

Air Freshener

Cleaners

Disinfectant Spray

Spring cleaning time is upon us once again. Before you head to the store and fill up your shopping cart with toxic and overpriced cleaning products, consider making homemade cleaners from the essential oils and other natural ingredients you already have. By opting for natural DIY cleaning recipes, you will not only save yourself a considerable chunk of money, but you’ll also reap considerable health benefits from reducing your exposure to chemicals.

Use this article as a guide for formulating your own essential oil cleaning recipes as you prepare to tackle all of your household chores. You can even use this cheat sheet for finding which oils do what.

Base Ingredients for Homemade Cleaning Products

It’s easy, cost-effective, and good for your health and the environment to create cleaners from the ingredients you have sitting in your kitchen cabinets. White vinegar, baking soda, distilled water, and Castile soap are some of the staples of holistic cleaning. These simple yet powerful ingredients can be combined with a number of essential oils for a huge range of cleaning purposes — from washing dishes to deterring pests.

Essential Oils for House Cleaning Applications

Laundry Detergent

Add 20 to 40 drops of rosemary and tea tree oil to a food processor with 2 cups of borax, 2 cups of soap flakes, 2 bars of antibacterial laundry soap, and 2 cups of super washing soda. The oils contribute a delightful smell and antimicrobial properties. Pulse until completely blended and store in a mason jar. Add a tablespoon per load and get fresher clothes than ever before.

Dish Soap

Citrus, tea tree, herb, and floral oils can all work for dish soap, but lavender is a top choice for its antibacterial power. You can either add a few drops directly to your dish water when doing dishes by hand, or you can create a lavender dish soap entirely from scratch. Boil ¼ cup of soap flakes, 2 cups of water, 2 teaspoons of super washing soda, 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin, and ¼ cup of castile soap with 30 to 40 drops of lavender and dissolve thoroughly.

Bug Spray

Struggling with a recurring pest problem? You might have more luck by treating the problem with peppermint or cinnamon oil. These natural pesticides are great for deterring spiders and ants. For peppermint oil, mix 10 to 15 drops in 1 cup of water in a spray bottle and spritz your problem areas. Cinnamon oil can be swabbed directly on infested areas with a cotton ball.

Floor Cleaner

Lemon and tea tree oil make a powerful pairing when it comes to mopping the floor. The lemon provides the deep degreasing action, while the tea tree fights bacteria. To create the floor solution, mix 1 cup of distilled vinegar, 1 cup of rubbing alcohol, and a gallon or two of hot water with 10 drops of orange and tea tree oil and 1 teaspoon of dish soap.

Air Freshener

Whether you want to become energized, maintain focus, or just enjoy your favorite scent, dilute 10 to 40 drops of your favorite essential oil in 6 tablespoons of filtered water and 1 tablespoon of vodka in a spray bottle to make fabulous room sprays with beneficial effects.

For instance, when you need to stay alert, spritz some orange, lemon, and grapefruit into the air for instant energy. Try cinnamon and tea tree oil to eliminate unpleasant bathroom odors or spray peppermint and rosemary in your office when you need mental clarity.

Disinfectant Spray

Lavender, tea tree, and orange oils are effective natural antibacterial and antiviral agents perfect for disinfecting toilets and bathroom countertops. Simply add 5 drops of lavender and tea tree oil and 2 drops of orange oil to 4 ounces of distilled water in a spray bottle and shake. Use for sanitizing door knobs, drawer handles, lightswitches, and other germy surfaces.

Enjoy a Healthier Environment This Spring

Utilize these homemade essential oil-based cleaners in your spring housework this year and enjoy the natural way that oils can clean your home and invigorate your mind and body. You are sure to appreciate the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve contributed to a healthier and less toxic environment for yourself and your family.