Using essential oils to clean is one of the easiest things you can do to reduce toxins in your home.

Essential oils are easy to buy and often you can use a variety of blends to get the scent you want.

The great thing is that you don’t have to worry about your kids touching chemicals when they help you.

Note: I wrote this blog post before the 2020 outbreak and I’ve made updates by adding videos and additional resources. The information, recipes, and products I’ve listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease and of course in no way intended to replace proper medical help.

Best Essential Oils For Cleaning

Some of the most popular essential oils for cleaning are Lemon, Tea Tree, Lavender, and Orange however the options are endless.

If you don’t already have essential oils my best advice is to start with the Subscription Box at Simply Earth because each month you’ll get a new set of essential oils and recipes that will help you reduce the toxins in your home and beauty routine.

You can read my Simple Earth Reviews here. 

Not only does Simply Earth help you get started with essential oils they also donate some of their proceeds to help stop human trafficking.

Learn more about Simply Earth here and use my code STACYRUSSELLFREE to get a $45 rebate to use on your next purchase. (cancel the subscription anytime).

If you prefer to use a premade blend try “Clean and Fresh” by Simply Earth.

Want To Buy A Natural Disinfectant Instead Of Using Oils?

I realize that using essential oils may not be for everyone and you may need cleaners that have been “approved” so that you can use them at school or work.

Here are some natural and less toxic disinfectants that you can buy online or find at your local store.

• The Honest Company – natural hand sanitizers and disinfectant sprays. Learn more and buy here
• CleanWell – natural products using a Thymol-based formula that is EPA-approved. Learn more and buy here
• UV Light Sanitizers –  these may be a viable toxin-free option for hard surfaces and fabrics but not to be used on your body. Learn more here and buy here

DIY Recipes For Cleaning With Essential Oils

Here are some recipes and ways you can clean your home using essential oils and other non-toxic ingredients that will help you have a less toxic home.

Disinfect And Deodorize Your Garbage Cans With Your Essential Oils

The kitchen garbage is notoriously stinky, and the bathroom garbage can probably use disinfecting on a pretty regular basis, too.

Instead of using an antibacterial spray, why not opt for nature’s disinfectant in the form of powerful essential oils?

Try this recipe with Tea Tree oil to kill germs and remove funky smells.

• 5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil (get it here)
• 10 drops Lemon Essential Oil (get it here)
  
• 10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil (get it here)
  
• 1/4 Tsp Witch Hazel (get it here)
• Water

Add oils and witch hazel to a spray bottle and fill the rest of the way with water.

Spray in the can with the solution and let sit for about ten minutes, then wipe clean and dry.

Related: DIY Disinfectant Spray For Fabric

Remove Stains From Your ClothesWith Your Essential Oils

Use this easy DIY recipe with lemon essential oil.

Clean Your Floors With Your Essential Oils

You can start with a chemical-free soap like Dr. Bronner’s then add about 20 drops of your favorite essential oil.

Lemon and peppermint oils make a refreshing, germ-fighting combo.

Try Pine if you like the “Pine-Sol” smell and it goes nicely with tea tree oil for added sanitizing power.

If your floor is extra dirty or porous, as is the case with linoleum, first scrub it with a natural abrasive cleaner such as Bon Ami.

Follow with the natural soap solution, then do an extra mopping to get any remaining residue.

Disinfect Shopping Carts With This DIY Essential Oil Spray

Whip up a small bottle of this and carry it in your purse.

Clean Windows, Mirrors, And Picture Frames With Your Essential Oils

A few drops of your favorite essential oil such as lemon, peppermint, geranium, or a combo of these go a long way in your homemade glass cleaner.

• Just fill a spray bottle with 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water
• Add  in 5 drops of the oil

Makes glass sparkle while adding a clean and fresh scent to your home.

Polish Furniture With Your Essential Oils

Buff and shine your wood furniture with this easy recipe.

• Add 10 drops of a citrus essential oil such as orange or lemon to a spray bottle
• Fill the bottle with 3/4ths fractionated coconut oil and 1/4th vinegar.
• Shake well
• Apply to a clean, lint-free cloth before rubbing into your wood furniture for a beautiful, citrus-scented buff and shine.

Use sparingly – a little oil goes a long way on wood!

Related: Essential Oils FAQ’s

Clean Wood Floors With Your Essential Oils

This easy recipe can be made with olive oil or coconut oil like above.

• Fill a spray bottle with 3/4ths olive oil and 1/4th white vinegar
• Add  7-10 drops of lemon essential oil
• Shake well before applying sparingly over a small spot
• Buff into your wood floor using a clean cloth

When finished, get a second, clean cloth or mop and dry-wipe the second layer to allow the oil to penetrate the wood and avoid leaving a slippery film.

Go light on your oil application, as things can get slippery!

Diffuser Blends To Deodorize And Make Your Home Smell Good

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to your diffuser and then fill with water up to the safety line.

The combination of essential oils you can use is endless.

DIY Air Freshener Spray With Your Essential Oils

Lemon and peppermint invigorate the senses while clearing the mind for better focus and an instant mood lift.

Fill a spray bottle 3/4ths of the way with water, then add:

• 1/4 teaspoon witch hazel (get it here)
• 20 drops Peppermint Oil Essential Oil (get it here)
• 20 drops Lemon Oil Essential Oil (get it here)

You can also substitute cinnamon for the peppermint if you like that scent better. Cinnamon oil is potent, so you’ll only need maybe 5 drops of it compared to the 20 of peppermint.

Clean Sinks And Tubs With Your Essential Oils

Make your own homemade natural abrasive cleaner (soft scrub).

• In a mixing bowl, combine baking soda several squirts of natural soap like Dr. Bronner’s, and witch hazel to make a paste.
• Add 5-7 drops of Peppermint, Lemon, or Tea Tree essential oils.
• Add this mixture to an empty glass jar with a wide mouth and label ABRASIVE CLEANER for future use.

Alternatively, try this recipe:

DIY Vegetable Wash To Remove Dirt And Pesticides

To remove pesticides from fruits and vegetables, try this all-natural produce wash.

• Fill a squirt bottle 3/4th of the way with equal parts water and vinegar.
• Add in 10 drops of grapefruit oil.
• Spray on produce
• Let sit for a few minutes and wash before eating.

DIY Spray For Pet Smells

Does your dog come in from outside smelling like… well… dog? Ours does.

Whether she’s been out hiking the woods with Dave or just in the backyard it seems like she gets stinky easy.

This blend will help chase away any lingering bugs like fleas, mites, or ticks, too.

Fill a spray bottle 3/4ths of the way with water, then add:

• 10 drops of Citronella Essential Oil (get it here)
• 10 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil (get it here)
• 5 drops of Clove Essential Oil (get it here)

Shake the bottle well, spritz your dog from head to tail, let sit for as long as he’ll let you (which probably isn’t very long), then paper towel him off.

Disinfect Lunch Boxes With Essential Oils

Those soft fabric lunch boxes are great except when it comes to cleaning them.

Leftover remains of strong-smelling lunches and snacks can get stinky.

To kill germs and remove odors, spray the inside of your child’s lunch box with your own DIY Thieves Oil Blend.

Add the following oils and witch hazel to a spray bottle and fill the rest of the way with water:

• 10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil (get it here)
• 10 drops Cinnamon Essential Oil (get it here)
• 10 drops Lemon  Essential Oil (get it here)
• 10 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil (get it here)
• 10 drops Clove Essential Oil (get it here)
• 1/4 Tsp Witch Hazel

Spray the lunch box with the solution then let it sit for 15 minutes to a half-hour. Wipe clean and dry with a paper towel, then leave open to air dry for the day.

Odor eliminated, germs gone!

More DIY Cleaning Recipes And Ideas

I love some of the tips for making your own green cleaners in this video by Ashley at Ashley Green Life.

You Can Make Your Own Essential Oils Recipes

After reading through these recipes I’m sure you will come up with other ideas on how you can use essential oils for cleaning.

Don’t be afraid to experiment a little but just be sure to test your solutions on a small area first.

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