So, let’s be real. There’s about 1.75 million homemade cleaner recipes floating around out there. I’m sure they’re all fantastic.
You know what’s fantastic to me? Easy. Simple. Cheap. Can I get an AH-MEN?
This recipe is pretty much my favorite. It takes about 30 seconds to pour in a bottle and bam. You’re good to go. I use this as my primary bathroom cleaner, kitchen counter cleaner, and anything cleaner that needs a quick wipe down.
The best part about it is the smell. Depending on which essential oils you choose, it can smell like heaven or other heaven. I know, tough choice. I typically go with Lavender, Tea Tree, or Lemon oils (or all 3!). Sometimes I’ll throw some Peppermint in too, because I love the smell. The other heavyweight cleaning ingredient involved is vinegar. Because of it’s high acidity levels, mold, bacteria, and other germs don’t stand a chance. The essential oil cuts out the sharp smell of the vinegar, so you really can’t go wrong.
Here’s what you’ll need:
1 part water
1 part vinegar
10-15 drops essential oils of choice (want to see my fav brand?)
Spray Bottle
Pour everything in your spray bottle of choice and shake it around for a second. I shake it before each use to ensure the oils are well mixed.
That’s it. Seriously.
Now let’s take a look at the cost to convince you even further.
Water: Free.99
Vinegar: I get 2 gallons at Costco for $3.49. That makes each gallon $1.75. I use about 2 C per bottle, which is 1/8 of a gallon. That’s makes the total vinegar price $.22.
Essential Oils: 10-15 drops will cost you around $.30.
Total Price: $.52
I would choose this spray hands down over cleaning wipes any day of the week. And with the average container of wipes costing between $3-$4, this spray is much more economical.
Let’s compare them even further:
Wipes: pricey, smells like chemicals, leaves a residue, takes a million to clean a bathroom, not so environmentally friendly
Homemade Spray: cheap, nose nirvana, leaves everything sparkling, environmentally friendly
Is there even a question? We have a clear winner, folks. Now go and enjoy!
Check some of my other posts I have using essential oils!
Can you hear me applauding? 🙂
Yeay!!!
Love this. Where is the most affordable place where I can purchase the oils? Is there a specific type of oil I need to be looking for?
Hi Krystina – You really want the purest essential oils you can buy so you can find out about which brand I use here.
Hi 🙂 I would love to try this! I have never tried essential oils, but have been reading a lot about them and am really interested in trying them. Where and what do you recommend that I start with?
Hello Ashley, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my favorite brand of essential oils because they are so pure.
I love young living oils. They are the best ones for me. I sell and use them.
Does this work OK on stainless? Does it remove those stubborn fingerprints?
where do you get the essential oils at?
I use my favorite brand of essential oils – and you can email me to find out how to order some.
Do you have to use the oils for cleaning or are they just for the scent…I have parrots and can’t use chemicals around them or strong smells…
Thanks for all the information you provide us…Gail
The oils create a great scent in the cleaner. I would try out different oils to find a scent that you like (and your parrots can tolerate!) and make your cleaner with that oil. If all else fails you can leave out the oils and still have a great cleaner! 🙂
Sound great! I have all hardwood on my main level. Is it safe for that? Stainless appliances (those durn smudges), and granite?
It should be safe on all surfaces but when in doubt always try it on a small part in the corner before using it all over. I have been able to use it in my house with no problems! Happy Cleaning!
Is there an oil that you recommend? I’ve heard that tea tree and lemon are good ones. What about On Gaurd?
I love using Onguard – its one of my top favorite ones for cleaning house. 🙂
I am going to try this, thanks! I use vinegar on my hard wood floors and stainless appliances, but the guy that seals our granite told us to never use it on granite.
Does the spray keep it’s effectiveness over time or do you have to make a new bottle each use? Also do you use paper towels to wipe up or reusable cloths?
It lasts until the bottle runs out for me! You can use either of those cloth options.
Thanks for the recipe! I just mixed some up. I do add a tsp of rubbing alcohol to keep the oils from seperating, you could also use Vodka or Witch Hazel as well. I buy all of my oils from Plant Therapy. They are much cheaper.
Ive been using this for 3 months now, just wonderful! I use for everything tile kitchen floor counters, bathroom toilet, sink, shower. I use 10 drops lemon and 5 drops peppermint oil!
Is it okay to use lemon in a plastic container?
When make the cleaner would you use more than on essential in the bottle or just a single oil?
You could do one oil or mix them for a great smelling spray!
This might be a dumb question, but do you think that extracts (Like lemon or vanilla or even strawberry!) would work? They are mostly alcohol, (I’ve been anticipating making my own vanilla extract for a while, now!) and since you said you could add rubbing alcohol or even vodka to the mix, so I’m thinking it might work…Thank you for all of the great DIY cleaner recipes, can’t wait to try them!!
No, I would suggest using real pure essential oils as the extracts are not quite strong enough for cleaning.
Did it just the way you described- used lavender oil and the tsp. of rubbing alcohol. Despite the humidity, my bathroom mirror ( a circle three feet in diameter!) has NO streaks and looks great! Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing. I did this and LOVE IT! Love the fact that I can clean my whole house and doesn’t cost much. I used 100% lemon juice instead of essential oils for the kitchen and then orange essential oils for the bathroom one. I love how white my counters look now. So much nicer than using chemicals that make me gag, as I’m cleaning the house…..and best of all…..I don’t have to ask my 6 year old daughter to “stand back” or “leave the room” while mama is cleaning! I’m going to be trying the powdered laundry soap next. So excited that I can save so much money and it be good for the home and our health as well! Thank you, Thank you….Thank you!
What are the 2 oil blends in the picture?? What are you favorite oils for cleaning and leaving behind a super fresh scent? Lemon is a given, what else? 🙂
In the picture this time I used Lemongrass and Peppermint. Other favorites are my favorite essential oil brand protective blend called onguard, Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Orange and Lemon oils are my favorite. I can mix them or keep them separate!
Are you paid for advertising on guard?
Very encouraging ! I’m excited to try this ASAP ! Thanks for sharing. I’m so happy i chanced upon your blog. I look forward to learning more from you and your readers.
All the best to you !
love this!! thank you.
I’d like to add that store bought spray bottles never work for long, . . . . but reusing one that used to have windex in it -or whatever cleaner- tend to work marvelously! are cheaper than buying new ones and keep just a little bit more plastic out of the landfill. I fill the empty bottle with hot water to heat the glue that keeps the label on then peel it off and relabel with a file label.
Great idea! You are so right about store bought spray bottles. They never last for me. I’ve got an old Windex bottle at home I’m going to try out tonight!
You can use a Product called Goop to remove the Label and glue..
I love the ideas but would like to know are there any essential oils I can get from the store like walmart or hobby lobby? If so can you lt me know the names and where? Thanks!
I heard essential oils can cause plastic bottles to leach. Thus putting those harmful chemicals into whatever is stored in them. Is this the case, or is this solution diluted enough that this doesn’t happen? Thanks so much.
It is very diluted. If you are worried just make a small batch every time you use it. It’s so simple to throw together that it is worth it.
When u say 1 part water 1 part vinegar in measuments cups tablespoons etc do u mean?
You can use any measurement that you want. Depending on how big your spray bottle is how many parts you can use. For example if you have a smaller spray bottle you could use 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup vinegar plus the essential oils. But if you have a larger bottle you could use 1 cup water, 1 cup vinegar plus the essentials oils. You can use whatever you like as long as it is consistent in all parts. Does that make sense? 🙂
I actually have a question about your dishwasher detergent. You said that the lemonade drink mix is added because it’s anti-bacterial, could you tell me what’s in it that makes it that way?
Thank you,
Rebecca
I have read, in passing (here and other places), that adding rubbing alcohol will keep essential oil and water from separating. I use various vinegar/water/EO solutions for my home and this tip would be a great help. I am hoping someone can expand on this or share a website that has more information, please?
I just stumbled across your site and I love it.
I am also a big fan of essential oils!
I have been making this same cleaner for years and I have to attribute it to my family (of four) not getting nearly as sick as we had been in the past!
For those thinking about making it….do it! You won’t regret it!
Muy buenos! Muchas gracias!
Hi, i am abby. can i know how long does this solution last
Karrie,
I want to know if your home made cleaners (using essential oils, water,vineger) can be used on sealed granite.
Thank you!
Is this all purpose spray work safe on wood? I’m concerned due to the alcohol content.