How to make your own natural, disinfecting, all-purpose cleaning spray in 5 minutes, using just three ingredients- distilled vinegar, water, and essential oil.
Why You’ll want to make This Cleaning Spray
This homemade, all-purpose cleaner is simple, non-toxic, aromatic and makes you happy while cleaning! The essential oils used in this recipe are known for their natural disinfecting, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial properties, helping to eliminate germs and leave a fresh scent.
I’m not sure about you, but I’ve really been thinking about the cleaning products I’ve been using in my home lately. Who knows what’s in them? I love the idea of incorporating more natural ingredients into my daily cleaning routine.
What you’ll need
- Distilled white vinegar: This type of vinegar is a natural disinfectant.
- Distilled water: Water is a universal solvent. Distilled water is essential to prevent mineral deposits and reduce the risk of bacterial growth or residue. Available at most grocery stores!
- Essential oils: Lemon essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, and lavender essential oil are known for their natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, and disinfectant qualities. See below for more essential oil ideas!
- Glass spray bottle: Glass is best because it won’t react with the cleaning solution. Plastic can cause chemical leaching and degradation of the solution.
Best Essential Oils for Cleaning
Pick one, or a combination.
- Lemon: Natural antibacterial properties; refreshing scent; cuts through grease.
- Lavender: Antimicrobial and antiseptic; calming aroma; effective against germs.
- Eucalyptus: Known for its disinfectant qualities; invigorating scent; supports respiratory health.
- Rosemary: Antimicrobial properties; aromatic; promotes a clean environment.
- Pine: Natural antiseptic; fresh, woodsy scent; effective for deodorizing.
- Tea Tree oil: Powerful antibacterial and antifungal; versatile cleaning agent; removes mold and mildew.
- Peppermint: Antimicrobial; uplifting scent; helps repel pests while cleaning.
- Grapefruit: Antibacterial and antiviral; uplifting and fresh scent; natural deodorizer.
- Thyme: Strong antibacterial properties; earthy aroma; effective against various pathogens.
Tips
- Use a glass spray bottle. The vinegar will erode plastic, and the solution may cause chemical leaching in a plastic spray bottle.
- Shake well. Shake the bottle well before each use to make sure the cleaning solution is well incorporated.
- Test first. Because vinegar may etch porous surfaces and natural stone surfaces like marble, some granites, and soapstone countertops, it’s a good idea to dilute the solution with water and test a discreet area first. This 50-50 ratio is generally good.
- Let it sit. Once you’ve sprayed the cleaner onto a surface, let it sit for a minute before wiping it away for optimal disinfecting.
- Get creative! This customizable recipe can be made with your favorite essential oils. Play around with different variations until you find your favorite! A good rule of thumb is 15 drops of essential oil per cup of liquid (water & vinegar combined).
- For floors, tile, and extra dirty surfaces, add 1-2 tablespoons of unscented liquid castile soap, dish soap, or other liquid soap.
How to make Vinegar Cleaning Solution
1. Add vinegar and distilled water. Pour the vinegar and water into your glass spray bottle.
2. Add essential oils. Add drops of your favorite essential oil. Aim for 15 drops per 1 cup of cleaning solution.
3. Shake well. Shake the bottle well before each use. For optimal disinfecting, spray and let sit on the surface for 1 minute before wiping off.
Pour into a spray bottle and use like you would a disinfectant spray, and feel good about what you are using to clean your house!
How to use ALL-PURPOSE Cleaning Spray
Use this DIY cleaner (safe for pets!) on kitchen counters, in bathrooms (including toilets and tubs), in sinks, in the fridge, on floors, on stainless steel, wipe your yoga mat, or anywhere you want things disinfected well.
Have fun with your non-toxic, sweet-smelling cleaner. May it bring a little joy to your day! Tonia.
FAQs
A 50-50 ratio of distilled white vinegar and distilled water is a good foundation, then you can add disinfecting essential oils based on your preferences. Lemon, eucalyptus, and lavender are our favorites!
All you need to start with is distilled white vinegar and distilled water. Essential oils add a nice scent and aid in disinfecting, and castile or dish soap helps with extra dirty surfaces, like floors.
Yes! A large jug of distilled white vinegar and your essential oils will get you plenty of refills for your homemade cleaner.
I am so excited for you to try this recipe for homemade all-purpose cleaner—free of harsh chemicals! There are so many variations with the essential oils that soon, you’ll be coming up with your own amazing concoctions.
Let us know what you create!
More DIY recipes you may like
Natural Vinegar Cleaning Solution
- Prep Time: 10
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
- Category: homemade, how to,
- Method: shaken
- Cuisine: American
Description
How to make your own natural, disinfecting, all-purpose cleaning spray in 5 minutes, using just three ingredients- distilled vinegar, water, and essential oil.
Ingredients
- 1 cup white distilled white vinegar (a natural disinfectant)
- 1 cup distilled water– found at most grocery stores.
- 15 drops lemon essential oil
- 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- 5–10 drops lavender essential oil
- 16–ounce Glass Spray Bottle
Feel free to swap out essential oils. A good rule of thumb is 15 drops of essential oil per cup of liquid (water & vinegar combined).
Instructions
- Pour vinegar and water into your glass spray bottle (vinegar will erode plastic).
- Add your essential oil drops.
- Shake well to combine before each use. For best disinfecting results, spray and let sit on the surface for a few seconds (or full minute) before wiping off.
Notes
Warning: Vinegar may etch porous surfaces like real marble, some granites, and soapstone countertops, so make sure to dilute with water and test first. This ratio of a 50/50 blend is generally good.
This is a super flexible recipe and can be made with your favorite essential oils. Play around to find your favorite scent. A good rule of thumb is 15 drops of essential oil per cup of liquid.
For floors and extra dirty surfaces, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap, dish soap or other liquid soap
I love your recipes, they always inspire me to explore food.
Great to hear Chrissy! Thanks so much!
Been searching for something like this!
Ansiosa por probarlo, gracias
Wow I love this… can’t wait to try it
Like you, I am concerned about household cleaning products as they eventually end up drained into the river/lake/ocean. I am looking forward to trying this. Thank you for posting this.