Learn how to make an all purpose DIY cleaner with essential oils. I also have a free eBook as well.
Don’t forget to sign up for my free Cleaning with Essential Oils Ebook! Grab it HERE.
Toxic Cleaning Products
Lately, my sister and I have been researching the ingredients in regular cleaning products, and their effects on the body. The findings are alarming, to say the least.
The average American is exposed to 500,000 chemicals every day.
Toxic cleaning products cause indoor air pollution, a problem which is only made worse in homes where the windows are never opened.
So we are literally spraying our house down with carcinogens, and then trapping them in so they have no where to go, but in our bodies.
Not exactly a situation I want to create in my home full of young children!
Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
For the past few years I have been content to clean my counters, bathroom, floors, and kitchen sink with Norwex microfiber cloths and good ol’ fashioned water.
I still love my Norwex cloths, but sometimes I want that clean smell, too.
And, about once every week, I need something a little more powerful.
Soap scum, grape juice counter-top stains, and burned food on the stove top all require a little too much elbow grease with microfiber alone.
This simple all-purpose spray with just 4 ingredients is non-toxic and effective for those difficult household messes.
Instead of filling my home with toxins, this cleaning product actually releases molecules into the air that are beneficial to the body!
Benefits of Essential Oils
Melaleuca is best known for its purifying properties. It is naturally antifungal and antimicrobial.
Lemon is a powerful cleansing and purifying agent.
It takes approximately 45 lemons to make one 15 mL bottle of lemon essential oil. That’s a whole lot of cleaning power in one little bottle!
Read more about the health benefits of lemon HERE.
According to this article by Dr. Axe, the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted a study that found when lemon essential oil was added to foods, it protected the food from human pathogens, like E. coli and Salmonella.
You can see how the combination of these two essential oils are effective against tough stains and germs in the home.
How to Store DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Essential Oils
Essential oils are powerful enough to break down plastic, so it is best to store your homemade cleaning supplies in glass spray bottles.
I use these 16 ounce glass bottles from Amazon.
How to Use DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Essential Oils
Use this spray anywhere you would normally use an all purpose cleaner.
Kitchen counter tops, vanities, floors, the refrigerator, tables, and the kitchen sink are all great places to try out this spray.
DIY All Purpose Cleaner Ingredients
1/2 cup vinegar
1 1/2 cups warm water
15 drops melaleuca (a.k.a. tea tree) essential oil
15 drops lemon essential oil
DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Essential Oils Instructions
Combine all the ingredients into your glass bottle with a funnel and give it a good shake.
See, I told you it was easy!
Do you want to get started with using essential oils?
Get my free essential oils class HERE.
Print the Recipe DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Essential Oils
DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Essential Oils
Learn how to make an all purpose DIY purpose cleaner with essential oils. I also have a free eBook as well.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 15 drops melaleuca (a.k.a. tea tree) essential oil
- 15 drops lemon essential oil
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients into your glass bottle with a funnel and give it a good shake.
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Laureen says
Would like to learn how to clean with essential oils
Laureen says
Yes please very much so
Jan says
Do you have any diy gift ideas for men?
Lisa says
I don’t, but that sounds like a good idea to think through for next year!
Laura says
I like to whip up my man some balm using ylang ylang , cedar wood, & a touch of peppermint.
I melt Shea nut butter, cocoa butter, bees wax, coconut oil, & arrowroot powder.
He uses it for his face, hands and hair! I love it too.
Holli says
Hi! I tried getting your free ebook but I haven’t gotten an email to confirm my email address!
Shari says
Hello Lisa, could you please send me your free e-book of recipes for diy cleaning products again, I seem to have lost it. ?
Thank you,
Shari Boonzaayer
Lisa says
Just sent! 🙂
claire says
really enjoy your videos
Janae says
Hi Lisa, wondering if you could email me your cleaning recipes please? thanks
Lisa says
I think it should be sent! Let me know if you got it. 🙂
Sabrina says
Hi Lisa!
Im new to your website but have checked out your videos and love them! Looking forward to trying your recipes!
Lisa says
Thanks Sabrina!
Alecs says
Tea tree oil is really toxic for pets, do you know of anything I could substitute in the recipe. Love your blog! Thanks so much!!
Lisa says
Just add more lemon. 🙂
Zohra Sayani says
Hey!
I love your videos on youtube! I made your white chocolate body butter for gifts and it worked out great! I use it regularly as well and I love it.
Im wondering, for the home cleaning products, do all citrus essential oils work (lime, tangerine, etc) or only lemon?
Also, have you made a homemade shampoo recipe for yourself?
Thanks,
Zohra
Lisa says
They all work great! Lemon is my favorite, because its cheapest and really seems to cut the grime. But, I have used bergamot, orange and lime all with success. I haven’t successfully made a shampoo but its something I would like to try. I want to try to make it with soap nuts.
Elizabeth says
I used essential oils for my natural cleaners, and used glass spray bottles. But after using them a few weeks, the essential oils had destroyed the plastic sprayers. Any suggestions?
Charity says
I’m not sure if you’ve addressed this elsewhere Lisa, but would you mind sharing where you get your glass spray bottles? I have a frustrating relationship with spray bottles in general (they never seem to hold up). I love your blog and YouTube videos, so inspiring!!!
Lisa says
I get some from Amazon, but my favorites are from Grove Collaborative. https://www.farmhouseonboone.com/farmhouse-on-boone/toxin-free-cleaning-with-essential-oils/
Katie says
Will this bottle last a fairly long time? I know the essential oils are pricey and it seems like you use a lot of drops for the one bottle. Just wondering if it’s cost effective ☺️
Lisa says
Hello! You said the diy cleaner will eat thru a plastic bottle. That concerns me. Commercial cleaners all come in plastic bottles, with no issues of eating thru the plastic. I love essential oils, but is this recipe safe?
Thank you! Lisa
Tash Page says
I think it’s because although they are oils, they are still solvents and the commercial ones are just compatible with pvc. I saw an article once of a woman who kept lavender oil in a plastic container and it totally dissolved it, but i’ve put lavender oil on my skin neat many times and I didn’t melt like the wicked witch of the west LOL. I’ve also used lemon EO (diluted) and tea tree (also diluted) on my skin before in a diy body butter with no ill effects. and vinegar is great for your hair. Minus the tea tree which is poisonous if ingested I wouldn’t worry much if i accidentally took a sip of this. It would taste pretty revolting but I would go straight to the ER with a commercial cleaner cos I can’t even pronounce half the things in those. TBH if you’re worried about buying a glass bottle I just upcycle old glass drinks bottles. My dad loves whiskey and some of the bottles look great, and I just reuse an old spray nozzle from a commerical cleaner with it. I have a basket at home full of old bottles and spray heads i’ve saved that are interchangable.
Marisa says
Hi there Lisa, I’ve been really wanting to use recipes like this but I’ve read a few times that once you introduce water to the recipe it will have bacteria that proliferate and make the mixture not suitable for storing longer than a week or two. My partner argues that tea tree oil is antimicrobial so it shouldn’t matter. I know I can use distilled water but I don’t want to have to worry about trying to keep everything sterile, etc. Can you help? Could I make up the mix without adding water, and just add the water to a small amount when I’m ready to use it?
Jeanette Fiumenero says
Is the spray bottle glass or plastic? I don’t see the explanation. I just see that the mixture should be in a GLASS bottle. Thanks!
Ann Price says
Please send free e book. Thank you!
Ann Paulk says
Are essential oils harmful to pets? I have read some articles that say they are.
Jan says
Thanks
Lisa says
Hi Lisa! How long do you keep this all purpose cleaner?
Chandra says
Hi Lisa,
Are you not concerned that the sprayer parts are plastic?
I use this same bottle for straight vinegar to wipe kitchen counter; may add lemon EO.
VINEVIDA says
Thank you, Lisa, for not only sharing this effective cleaner but also highlighting the benefits of using natural ingredients in our everyday cleaning routines.
Aromachology says
I’m a firm believer in the power of natural and eco-friendly cleaning solutions, and your DIY all-purpose cleaner recipe with essential oils is right up my alley. It’s wonderful to see how simple, everyday ingredients can come together to create an effective and safe cleaning solution.
The addition of essential oils not only adds a pleasant fragrance but also brings their antibacterial and antiviral properties to the mix.