Spring Cleaning DIYs Using Essential Oils

Spring is right around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to freshen up your space and give your home a deep cleaning. This year, instead of reaching for chemical-laden cleaning products, choose to make your own natural alternatives that use essential oils. In this article, we'll explore some of the benefits of using essential oils for cleaning, which varieties to use, and how you can make your own essential oil cleaning products at home. So let's spring into action!

Benefits of Cleaning With Essential Oils

Essential oils are a natural and effective way to clean your home. There are many reasons to choose essential oil-based cleaning DIYs over conventional cleaning products. First, essential oils are 100% natural, so they don’t contain harmful ingredients such as dioxins or carcinogens, which are often found in many traditional cleaning products. These chemicals can be dangerous if inhaled or absorbed through the skin over time. 

Second, essential oils are environmentally friendly. They do not pollute the air or water like chemical-based cleaners do. And finally, essential oils provide a pleasant scent to your home while they clean. Many also have antibacterial properties, which make them ideal for disinfecting and cleaning kitchens and bathrooms.

Best Essential Oils for Cleaning

Ready to switch to natural cleaning alternatives, but not sure where to start? Here are some of the best essential oils for cleaning:

Lemon essential oil:

Lemon essential oil is great for cutting through grease and grime, and can be used on surfaces throughout the kitchen. It also has an uplifting citrusy scent. Other citrus essential oils such as orange, grapefruit, and bergamot also work well.

Peppermint essential oil:

Invigorating and refreshing, peppermint essential oil is a master at tackling unwanted odors in bathrooms and kitchens. It also pairs great with citrus essential oils and tea tree oil. Just remember, a little goes a long way.

Tea tree essential oil:

Tea tree essential oil is a natural disinfectant that can be used on hard surfaces like countertops and door handles to remove germs, grit, and grime. 

Eucalyptus oil:

Eucalyptus essential oil also has antibacterial and antiviral properties along with a cooling scent, making it ideal for cleaning high-traffic areas like entryways and living rooms.

Essential Oil Cleaning DIYs

There are plenty of recipes out there to create your own cleaning solutions using essential oils at home. Bonus: Many contain common household ingredients you probably already have on hand, like vinegar and baking soda. Here are a few of our favorites:

Natural Oven Cleaner

This recipe is courtesy of Nourished Essentials and uses a powerful combination of tea tree and lemon essential oil to cut through grease and grime.

Ingredients:

1. 1/2 cup of baking soda
2. 2-3 tablespoons of water
3. A few drops of tea tree essential oil
4. A few drops of lemon essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

• Mix all of the ingredients together until it forms a paste.
• Use this paste to coat the oven’s surface and then let it stand for 10-12 hours before cleaning it off.

Orange Oil Wood Polish

Get your wooden floors and furniture looking all shiny and new with this DIY from The House and Homestead. It uses only three simple household ingredients: olive oil, white vinegar, and orange essential oil — plus, it has a lovely sweet scent.

Ingredients:

1. ¼ cup olive oil
2. ¼ cup white vinegar
3. 20 drops orange essential oil

Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake well right before using as the oil and vinegar will separate.
• Use a rag to rub the oil onto wood surfaces, including floors, tabletops, cupboards, furniture and wooden cutting boards.
• The vinegar helps to clean and the oils help make your wood shine and smell great!

All-Purpose Cleaner

Looking for a cleaning spray that can handle just about any mess? Try making this DIY all-purpose cleaner recipe from Made in a Pinch. It combines lemon and tea tree essential oil for a masterful cleaning duo.

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups of white vinegar
2. 2 cups of water
3. 1/4 cup liquid dish soap (or castile soap)
4. 30 drops of lemon essential oil
5. 20 drops of tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

• Mix ingredients in a glass spray bottle and shake to combine.
• Use it as a spray cleaner in your kitchen and bathroom.

Streak-Free Glass Cleaner

Dirty windows and mirrors don’t stand a chance to this glass cleaner recipe from Home Made Lovely. 

Ingredients:

1. 1 amber glass spray bottle
2. ½ cup vinegar
3. ½ cup rubbing alcohol
4. 1 tbsp cornstarch
5. 10 drops your choice essential oil: orange, lemon or grapefruit are all great
6. 1/2 tsp dish soap, optional

Instructions:

• Fill the glass bottle with ingredients and shake to mix.
• Use as needed to clean windows and mirrors.

Get your home squeaky clean and sparkling by making these essential oil DIYs. Feel free to mix and match different essential oils of your choosing for new scents. To learn other ways you can use essential oils to stay clean, take a look at this article: How to Make Your Own DIY Homemade Hand Cleanser Using Essential Oils.