Today I am sharing how to make your own natural cleaning sprays using essential oils and other non-toxic ingredients. I always like to do a deep clean when I put the Christmas decorations away. I have to vacuum up pine needles and fake snow, anyway, so this is a good chance to make everything else shine.
I’ll be honest that I love a clean house–it literally changes my entire mental outlook–and so cleaning actually makes me happy. I know, strange.
How to Make Natural Cleaners for your Home
I’ve been making my own natural cleaning solutions for awhile now for a variety of reasons. First, I know exactly what’s in them (or more importantly, NOT in them!). Second, they are inexpensive. And third, they smell so good.
I’m sharing all of my favorite recipes with you today as well as the labels that I use on the bottles. You’ll want to use glass bottles for any cleaning solution that uses essential oils; they are powerful enough that they will degrade plastic bottles over time! I use these glass spray bottles but you can also buy glass bottles of vinegar and repurpose them; standard trigger sprayers will likely fit them.
You can download the recipes and labels as a PDF {here}. The labels are designed to fit perfectly on these Avery labels, or you can cut them out using a 2.5″ craft punch. I included several different labels for my all purpose cleaning spray because everyone has their favorite scent; just choose your favorite from lavender, orange, tea tree, peppermint, or lemon.
You can find most of the oils easily on Amazon. Just be sure to look for pure ingredients.
You can find Lavender oil here.
You can find Lemon oil here.
You can find Tea Tree oil here.
• On the windows–I use undiluted vinegar inside and out to get my windows sparkling.
• On the sink–I use lemon cleaning spray to get the grungy stuff off of my faucet (what IS that stuff?).
• On stainless appliances–I use undiluted vinegar to clean and then spray olive oil on as a protectant. You won’t believe how well the olive oil works.
• On granite countertops–my granite spray recipe is awesome–everything I’ve purchased leaves cloudy streaks, but this dries clear.
• On my stovetop: I use my cleaning spray to clean off the smooth surface and make it shine.
• On the cabinets: my all purpose cleaning spray and a towel cut grease and remove spatters.
Things are pretty sparkly in here now, aren’t they?
I hope this makes your cleaning more enjoyable–thanks for stopping by.
You can get more natural cleaner recipes and see how to host your own Make Your Own Natural Cleaners get together in this post HERE.
And here’s our recipe for all-natural bug spray.
Thanks for stopping by–
Pat says
Christy, I love this! I much prefer using natural products for cleaning and I’ve used Viva towels forever! Thank you so much for sharing the recipes and labels. You make everything look so beautiful!
xo
Pat
Hettie watts says
I love the labels but were not able to download them for print. Help
Terri A Schoenrock says
The labels download, but where are the recipes?
Hettie watts says
got it. guess i answered my own question. thanks so much for the beautiful labels. i”m ordering water proof labels to run them off on and then put them on the bottles i have.
April says
What type of alcohol specificly do you use for the granite cleaner? I have not had good luck with store-bought cleaners and prwfwr to make my own as well. Thank you so much for the great label designs.
Christy says
Hey, April–
Just regular isopropyl alcohol/rubbing alcohol off the shelf at the grocery store. I think there are several different concentrations but either should be fine.
Hope that helps–happy cleaning!
Deborah Cariker says
I’ve been concocting my own sprays, too! I love being able to clean my home without worrying about the YUCK left behind by so many chemicals!! Thank you for adding to my repertoire! Do you have a recipe for furniture polish? I’m playing with that now. I need something that adds to the beauty of our family antiques and hand-me-downs.
Christy says
I haven’t done my own furniture polish yet; I use Method’s polish and love the almond scent. I have a friend who swears by plain old lemon oil, too.
Kimberly Curtis says
What do you use the peppermint cleaning spray for?
Christy says
It’s an all-purpose cleaning spray, for counters and other solid surfaces. I substitute it for lavender or lemon during the holidays.
Rosaria says
Hi! Is the vinegar you use distilled white vinegar?
Christy says
Yes, just plain old (cheap) vinegar off the grocery store shelf. I’m sure you could also use the extra-strength cleaning vinegar, too.
Trish says
I have a blend that I use to spray house for any bugs and use peppermint doterra essential oil. I put 16 oz water, 1 tsb epson salt, and 25 drops of peppermint essential oil. No more of that nasty stuff they spray in your home. I am an all natural person. Have blends for room and sheet spray to freshen the bedroom or any room, can spray on carpets, etc. I use vinegar, baking soda, etc. Also use wool balls in dryer. I love talking about natural cleaners. Also love lemon and run my diffusers day and night.
susie says
Do you use glass bottles or plastic?
Vicki says
She says in the post she uses glass bottles.
bea says
Love these recipes! question though, if the oils break down plastic bottles, wouldn’ it also break down the trigger straw even in a glass bottle?
Wendy says
Hi Christy, thank you for the recipes. Which cleaning product do you suggest for cleaning floors? I have dogs and cats so I’m always careful what I use.
Take care,Wendy
Shelley says
I was wondering if I could buy the pictures of the fruit/ plants that are on the label?
I’m looking for icons for my website . Did you draw them? Clipart? Thx!
Sandra Cunningham says
I have tried several time to download the pdf, but it keeps going to a print page.
“You can download the recipes and labels as a PDF {here}.”
what am I doing wrong?
Sandra Cunningham says
Nevermind, I right clicked and hit “save as” and TaDaaa it worked!
Chrissy says
My kids do a lot of the cleaning. I’m nervous about having glass bottles. Do you know of any higher grade plastic ones?
Btw thanks so much! Because my kids help I’m trying to get away from using chemicals. I’m really excited.
Christy says
Hey, Chrissy–
My kids clean, too, and we haven’t had any issues with the glass bottles. They’re very thick and don’t break if you drop them on carpet or hardwoods–maybe tile, but that’s never happened to us yet. I wouldn’t recommend plastic bottles if you’re going to use essential oils; you’d wind up spraying plastic particles all over your home and that would defeat the purpose of the all-natural cleaners entirely!
Hope that helps,
Christy
PS I don’t have any dryer sheets or softener recipes, but I’m sure there are tons on Pinterest!
Chrissy says
Sorry one more question. Do you also have a similar post for diy laundry detergent, softener or dryer sheets? were all allergy people and I stopped using dryer sheets and fabric softener. I miss the smell and how soft our towels were ?
Lisa Schenck says
Hi!! Quick queSTION…I made up the Granite Cleaner and Mine seems a little cloudy…is that normal? Also, can you add a few extra drops of the Lemon Essential Oil to block out the alcohol? thanks so much!!!!
Christy says
Hi, Lisa–
Your essential oils are adding the cloudiness as water and alcohol together are perfectly clear. If you don’t get a crystal clear countertop after using it, then I definitely wouldn’t add more oil. Hope that helps!
Christy
Marian says
Hello! Is alcohol safe to use on Granite? Granite is a natural surface and i want to make sure it won’t be affected. Also, can I forgo the essential oils in these sprays? I don’t have them and they are not cheap to buy. Thanks!
Christy says
Hi, Marian–
If you’re granite is sealed, you shouldn’t have any issues at all. I’ve been using this spray on my countertops for a year with great results. Just google “alcohol and granite” and you’ll see that it’s the recommended way to disinfect granite countertops.
As for the essential oils, you don’t have to use them. They’re mostly there to cut the smell of the vinegar and alcohol used in the cleaning solutions, so if you can stand not having a nicely scented cleaning product, then you should be just fine.
Thanks for writing–
Christy
Patricia W Graham says
This is for Granite, I love the labels. I do not use alcohol on my granite. I use doterra lemon and melaleuca essential oil about 10 drops of each. I put a “squirt” of Dawn dish soap and about a cup of water. in my small spray bottle. The bottle I use is plastic but it has 2 on the bottom and you can use plastic if it has a 2. I keep it mixed all the time and the bottle is perfect. I am so happy with this combination. My granite is always shiny and never any streaks. The expensive stuff from the store smears plus with the Melaceuca oil it disinfects. We love using this!!! We are talking about cleaning but I have a great mixture to spray the house with Peppermint Essential oil to keep bugs out plus makes the house smell great. Glad to find this site.
Christy says
I love those Doterra oils, too. I’ll have to try the peppermint. Thanks so much for sharing your granite recipe, too! Christy
Annie says
Hi There, Just wanted to Let you know that citrus essential oils are not safe for granite countertops! granite is porous and you will eventually see damage. I also use a similar diy cleaner, but leave out the essential oils 🙂
Kristie says
I love this. Pinterest suggested this pin to me and I am going to repin it! I never knew how to get the labels shaped the way you wanted. I am going to check out the labels that you linked, and also consider getting a craft punch!
Christy says
I’m so glad you found it helpful. The granite cleaner is amazing–I’ll never use anything else!
SHANNON says
Hi Christy:
I ACTUALLY HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS. WE HAVE THE SAME GRANITE AND YOUR CABINET COLOR/GLAZE IS THE SAME TYPE OF THING WE ARE WANTING FOR OUR KITCHEN. DO YOU MIND SHARING IF THEY WERE PAINTED, HOW THEY HAVE HELD UP? WE ARE DEBATING PAINTING/REFACING OR REPLACING RIGHT NOW. I’D LOVE YOUR THOUGHTS. I ALSO PLAN ON READING MORE ABOUT YOUR NATURAL CLEANING. I’M ALL ABOUT THAT AS WELL. THANK YOU!
Christy says
Hey, Shannon–
Thanks so much for writing. I wish I could help you out, but that house was a rental and the cabinets had been professionally painted and glazed long before we moved in. I attempted to contact the company that did them because I have gotten lots of questions about them, but they never responded to me.
My blog partner, Amy, and I have both painted kitchen cabinets in the past, and they hold up well over time. Our tips are to use a sprayer and a very high quality enamel paint. You can read a couple of our posts {here} and {here}. Good luck!
Christy
Tami Smith says
I’m anxious to try your cleaning solutions. When I downloaded the PDF, I only got one page of labels- no recipes.
Christy says
Hi, Tami–
The recipes are pretty simple and they’re actually printed on the labels. Take a look and let me know if you see them.
Thanks,
Christy
Jo says
Where do you purchase your spray bottles?
Christy says
Hi, Jo–
I get them at Amazon (where we get everything, right?!). Here are the exact ones I buy: http://amzn.to/2psyvC5
Hope that helps!
Christy
Carol says
You should never use anything citrus on granite. It’s too acidic. It’s better to use peppermint or lavender.
Christy says
Thanks for letting us know!
Deborah Creighton A Schmidt says
Love the home made cleaning receipes
I filled all lout for the WHOLE hOME pLANNER BUT NOTHING HAS COME UP
hOW DO YOUO DO IT
Christy says
I’ve emailed it to you; so sorry you had trouble!
Nicole says
I can’t find the recipes all that comes up in the link is the labels
Christy says
The recipes are printed on the labels!
Christy