Essential oils have many beneficial properties. You can use them in a diffuser for aromatherapy, add a few drops to your bath to help you relax, and even replace harsh chemicals used in household cleaners. Using essential oils for cleaning improves indoor air quality and benefits the environment, all while disinfecting germy surfaces and making your house smell great.
Here are the top 10 essential oils used in homemade cleaning sprays.
Cleaning with Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It makes an effective degreaser and can disinfect cutting boards, counters, and other hard surfaces. For a natural wood or leather polish, combine 10 drops of lemon essential oil with 1/2 cup olive oil.
Cleaning with Wild Orange Essential Oil
Like lemon, orange is an effective degreaser. Lift grease from stovetops and counters with 12 drops of wild orange essential oil, 1/4 cup castile soap, and a little water.
Cleaning with Tea Tree Essential Oil
The cleaning power of tea tree oil can’t be overstated. It fights bacteria, viruses, and even hard water stains, making it a vital ingredient in natural daily shower spray. Simply combine two cups distilled white vinegar, two teaspoons liquid dish soap, and 20 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Spritz the walls after each shower, and you’ll never have to scrub hard water stains ever again!
Cleaning with Rosemary Essential Oil
Airborne microbes make bedroom linens smell musty. Freshen things up with a mattress spray consisting of three to six drops of rosemary essential oil per ounce of water in a spray bottle. Each time you strip the bed to wash the sheets, spray this antimicrobial mixture liberally on the mattress.
Cleaning with Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender has potent antibacterial properties. It pairs well with vinegar, another natural cleaner. Add just four to five drops lavender oil to your vinegar cleaning mixture to enjoy a more tolerable scent as you clean.
Cleaning with Peppermint Essential Oil
The cool, fresh scent of peppermint combined with its antibacterial properties make this essential oil an excellent household cleaner. It’s also an ant deterrent! Mix 10 to 15 drops of peppermint essential oil with one cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray around the room, targeting cracks and crevices along the floorboards.
Cleaning with Cinnamon Essential Oil
Cinnamon is also effective against pests, so apply pure, undiluted essential oil anywhere you’ve seen insects emerge to keep them at bay in the future.
Cleaning with Eucalyptus Essential Oil
The subtle, minty scent of eucalyptus works alongside its dust mite-killing properties to freshen mattresses and stuffed animals. Just add a few drops to your next batch of laundry.
Cleaning with Pine Essential Oil
Make your own Pine-Sol for sparkling clean wood floors and furniture. Simply combine one tablespoon liquid castile soap, four cups warm water, and 10 to 15 drops of pine essential oil.
Cleaning with Thyme Essential Oil
This disinfectant is effective at fighting salmonella, so use several drops alongside half a lemon and a sprinkle of salt to clean cutting boards used to prepare raw meat.
Hire a Professional Housekeeper
In a perfect world, you would always have time for housework, but sometimes life gets too busy. If you need help cleaning with essential oils and other natural cleaners, choose Molly Maid for the job. Whether you need a one-time deep clean or ongoing help getting chores done, we’re here for you. To learn more cleaning tips, or to hire a professional housekeeper in your area, please contact your local Molly Maid for a free in-home estimate.
