HomeMade Cleaning Products

Making your own home cleaning products is a great way to control the ingredients in your household and create a more natural, non-toxic environment. Many commercial cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful to your health and the environment.

Essential oils are a fantastic addition to homemade cleaning products because they not only add natural fragrance but also have antimicrobial properties that can help disinfect and purify.

Here’s how you can make a few effective homemade cleaning products, along with some essential oils you can use to enhance their cleaning power and scent.

1. All-Purpose Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water (distilled or filtered is best)
  • 1 cup white vinegar (acts as a disinfectant)
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda (helps with scrubbing)
  • 10-15 drops of essential oils (e.g., lavender, tea tree, lemon, eucalyptus)

Instructions:

  1. In a spray bottle, combine the water, white vinegar, and baking soda.
  2. Add the essential oils. Tea tree and lemon essential oils are both powerful antibacterial oils, making them great choices for cleaning.
  3. Shake gently to mix everything together (the baking soda may settle, so shake before each use).
  4. Spray on surfaces (except for marble, granite, or other porous stones) and wipe clean with a cloth or sponge.

Essential Oil Suggestions:

  • Lemon: Refreshing and great for cutting grease.
  • Lavender: Calming and has antibacterial properties.
  • Tea Tree: Powerful disinfectant with antifungal and antibacterial properties.
  • Eucalyptus: Antiseptic and has a fresh, invigorating scent.

2. Glass and Window Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (helps prevent streaks)
  • 5-10 drops essential oil (e.g., lemon, peppermint)

Instructions:

  1. In a spray bottle, combine water, vinegar, and cornstarch. The cornstarch will help with a streak-free shine.
  2. Add your essential oils for fragrance (lemon is great for glass and leaves a fresh scent).
  3. Shake well before use, and spray directly on glass or windows. Wipe with a lint-free cloth or paper towel.

Essential Oil Suggestions:

  • Lemon: Cuts through grease and grime, and leaves glass streak-free.
  • Peppermint: Refreshing scent with some antifungal properties.
  • Orange: Leaves a pleasant citrus aroma and helps with streak-free cleaning.

3. All-Purpose Disinfecting Spray

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar or rubbing alcohol (acts as disinfectant)
  • 1 tablespoon Castile soap (optional, for extra cleaning power)
  • 10-20 drops essential oils (e.g., lemon, tea tree, eucalyptus)

Instructions:

  1. In a spray bottle, combine water, vinegar (or rubbing alcohol), and Castile soap (if using).
  2. Add essential oils. Tea tree, lemon, and eucalyptus are excellent choices for their antibacterial and antiviral properties.
  3. Shake well before each use. Spray on countertops, bathroom sinks, and other hard surfaces. Wipe clean with a cloth or sponge.

Essential Oil Suggestions:

  • Tea Tree: Powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties.
  • Lemon: Disinfects and leaves a fresh, clean scent.
  • Eucalyptus: Disinfectant with a refreshing aroma.
  • Thyme: Known for its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.

4. Kitchen Degreaser

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dish soap (preferably Castile soap or an eco-friendly variety)
  • 10-15 drops essential oils (e.g., lemon, orange, grapefruit)

Instructions:

  1. In a spray bottle, combine water, vinegar, and dish soap.
  2. Add essential oils. Lemon, orange, or grapefruit work well to break down grease and grime.
  3. Shake before each use. Spray on greasy kitchen surfaces (like stovetops, counters, and oven hoods) and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

Essential Oil Suggestions:

  • Lemon: Cuts through grease and adds a fresh scent.
  • Orange: Natural degreaser with a pleasant, uplifting fragrance.
  • Grapefruit: Excellent for cutting grease and has a clean, citrusy aroma.

5. Wood Polish

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil (or another carrier oil like jojoba oil)
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 10 drops essential oils (e.g., lemon, lavender, cedarwood)

Instructions:

  1. Combine olive oil and vinegar in a small spray bottle or jar.
  2. Add your essential oils. Cedarwood is great for wood surfaces, but lemon adds a fresh scent, and lavender offers a calming touch.
  3. Shake gently to mix the ingredients. Apply a small amount onto a soft cloth and rub into wooden furniture in circular motions.
  4. Buff with a clean cloth to a nice shine.

Essential Oil Suggestions:

  • Lemon: Gives a fresh, bright scent and helps clean wood.
  • Lavender: Offers a calming scent and works well on wood surfaces.
  • Cedarwood: A great earthy scent that complements wood furniture.
  • Orange: Refreshing and enhances wood's natural shine.

6. Floor Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dish soap (preferably Castile soap)
  • 10-15 drops essential oils (e.g., lemon, eucalyptus, or lavender)

Instructions:

  1. In a bucket or mop bucket, mix the water, vinegar, and dish soap.
  2. Add essential oils for fragrance and cleaning properties.
  3. Mop floors as usual with the solution. It’s ideal for tile, vinyl, and laminate floors. Avoid using vinegar on hardwood floors, as it can damage the finish.
  4. Let the floor air-dry.

Essential Oil Suggestions:

  • Lemon: Cuts grease and adds a fresh scent.
  • Eucalyptus: Antiseptic properties and a refreshing fragrance.
  • Lavender: Adds a calming and clean scent.
  • Peppermint: Gives a cooling, fresh fragrance.

7. Bathroom Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup baking soda
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 10-15 drops essential oils (e.g., tea tree, lavender, or eucalyptus)

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix baking soda and vinegar to form a paste (you can add a little water if needed to thin it out).
  2. Stir in essential oils. Tea tree oil is great for its antifungal properties, while lavender and eucalyptus help keep the bathroom smelling fresh.
  3. Apply the paste to sinks, tubs, and toilets using a sponge or cloth. Let it sit for a few minutes to disinfect, then scrub and rinse.

Essential Oil Suggestions:

  • Tea Tree: Powerful antifungal and antibacterial properties.
  • Lavender: Fresh and calming scent with antibacterial properties.
  • Eucalyptus: A refreshing antiseptic with a strong, clean scent.

Safety Tips:

  • Test First: Always test your homemade cleaners on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure they don’t damage the surface.
  • Avoid Overuse of Essential Oils: While essential oils are beneficial, they are highly concentrated, so use them sparingly.
  • Store Properly: Store your homemade cleaning products in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Use dark glass containers (like amber bottles) for better preservation of the oils.
  • Be Aware of Allergies: Ensure you or anyone in your household doesn't have any allergies to specific essential oils.

These homemade cleaners are easy to make, effective, and can be customized with the essential oils of your choice. By making your own cleaning products, you reduce exposure to harsh chemicals and create a safer environment in your home. Let me know if you need more specific recipes or have any questions!