Healthier Spring Cleaning

Natural Cleaning Recipes for a Fresh, Healthy Home

Natural DIY Cleaning Spray

Is your home ready for a spring refresh?

Is your home ready for a spring refresh? Spring cleaning is not just about tidying—it is a chance to create a healthier, more inviting space without harsh chemicals. These DIY recipes use essential oils to leave your home sparkling, fresh, and toxin-free. Plus, they’re customizable, budget-friendly, and smell amazing!

Why Go Natural?

Essential oils are a powerful alternative to synthetic cleaners. They cut through dirt, grime, and odors while offering antimicrobial, deodorizing, and purifying benefits. You can whip up effective solutions in just minutes with a few staples:

• baking soda

• distilled white vinegar

• filtered or distilled water

• high-proof alcohol (90% rubbing or 190-proof grain)

• Castile soap &/or Sal Suds

• essential oils

Pro Tip: Recipes with water should be used within two weeks unless they contain at least 25% high-proof alcohol as a preservative. Make small batches and store in labeled, amber glass containers for freshness and safety.

Castile Soap vs. Sal Suds

• Castile Soap: A gentle, plant-based option for personal care, pet care, pest control, and light cleaning. May leave soap scum in hard water.

• Sal Suds: A biodegradable surfactant perfect for dishwashing, laundry, floors, and tough surfaces. Works well with hard water, leaving no residue.

Essential Oils for Cleaning

• Antimicrobials: Tea tree, lavender, grapefruit, lemon, lemongrass, patchouli, thyme, rosemary, cedarwood, Siberian fir, and cypress. Perfect for countertops, cutting boards, and air purification.

• Deodorizers: Lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, lavender, patchouli, Siberian fir, and cypress. These banish odors and leave a fresh, clean scent.

• Degreasers/De-grimers: Lemon, lemongrass, orange, lavender, tea tree, peppermint. Ideal for cutting through grease on stovetops, ovens, and microwaves.

• Air Purifiers: Spearmint, peppermint, lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, thyme, tea tree, rosemary, lavender, cypress, and cedarwood. Pre-blended options like Edens Garden’s Breath of Fresh Air, Aromatic International’s Mountain Bandits, or Plant Therapy’s Germ Fighter are also fantastic.

Amber Glass Spray Bottles

Spring Cleaning Recipes

Glass and Mirror Cleaning Spray

For a streak-free shine:

• 3 Tbsp - 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

• 1 Tbsp 90% rubbing alcohol - reduces streaks

• 5-10 drops of your preferred citrus essential oil or blend citrus and conifer essential oils

• distilled or filtered water

• 8 oz glass spray bottle

Add vinegar, alcohol, and essential oils to the bottle. Top off with water, then shake or swirl to mix. Use within two weeks, or scale down the recipe. For a longer shelf life, increase alcohol to 2 oz. Shake before each use.

All-Purpose Cleaning Spray

Tackles various surfaces effortlessly:

• 4 Tbsp Castile soap

• 20 drops of lemon essential oil

• 20 drops of Scotch pine or Balsam fir essential oil

• distilled or filtered water

• 8 oz glass spray bottle

Combine Castile soap and essential oils in the bottle, then fill with water. Shake well before use. Best used within two weeks; otherwise, add 2 oz high-proof alcohol (e.g., 90% rubbing alcohol or grain alcohol) to preserve. Test on a small area first—great for counters, bathrooms, and fridges.

Grease and Grime Be-Gone Spray

Power through tough messes:

• 1 Tbsp lemon juice

• 1 Tbsp 190-proof grain alcohol or 90% rubbing alcohol

• distilled or filtered water

• 8 drops of tea tree essential oil

• 6 drops of lemon essential oil

• 2 oz spray bottle

Mix lemon juice, alcohol, and essential oils in the bottle, then fill with water. Shake before use. Perfect for stovetops, microwaves, and countertops—do a patch test on countertops first.

Dusted Wood Furniture

Dusting Spray

Keep furniture gleaming:

• 1 tsp jojoba, sweet almond, or olive oil

• 2 Tbsp distilled white vinegar or witch hazel

• 1/4 tsp sal suds

• 2 drops of geranium or thyme essential oil

• 3 drops of cedarwood essential oil

• distilled or filtered water

• 4 oz glass spray bottle

Add oil, vinegar, Sal Suds, and essential oils to the bottle, then top with water. Shake well before use and apply with a dusting cloth. Use within two weeks or scale down. Test on non-wood surfaces first.

Countertop Spray

Maintain spotless kitchens and bathrooms:

• 4 Tbsp rubbing alcohol or witch hazel

• 1 tsp castile soap or 1/2 tsp sal suds (optional)

• 3 drops of tea tree essential oil

• 2 drops of lemon or peppermint essential oil

• distilled or filtered water

• 4 oz glass spray bottle

Combine alcohol, soap (if using), and essential oils, then fill with water. Shake before use. Test on a small countertop area first.

Toilet Scrub

Banish stubborn stains:

• 1/4 cup baking soda

• 1/4 cup washing soda

• 5 drops of tea tree essential oil

• 5 drops of lavender essential oil

Sprinkle a small amount into the toilet bowl and let it sit for 10 minutes. Scrub with a brush. For a deeper clean, add 1 cup of vinegar, let sit (up to overnight), then scrub.

Sparkling Clean Bathroom

Shower Spray

Keep your shower fresh:

• 1-2 oz rubbing alcohol or witch hazel

• 5 drops of black spruce essential oil

• 5 drops of lemon essential oil

• lemon balm or spearmint hydrosol

• 4 oz glass spray bottle

Add alcohol and essential oils, then top with hydrosol. Shake before use and spray after each shower—no rinsing needed.

Soft Scrub

Restore shine to sinks and tubs:

• 1 cup baking soda

• 3 Tbsp Castile soap or 4-5 tsp Sal Suds

• 10 drops of your favorite citrus essential oil

• 10 drops of your favorite conifer essential oil

• 5 drops of tea tree essential oil

• 1 Tbsp cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or tapioca starch

• 1 Tbsp distilled white vinegar (optional)

Mix all ingredients except the vinegar into a paste. Slowly add vinegar while stirring. Store in a PET plastic container. Adjust as needed with more Castile Soap or Sal Suds to create a smooth paste. Use on sinks, tubs, and grout.

Clean Family Room

Air Freshening Room Spray

Refresh your space:

• 1-2 Tbsp high-proof alcohol (Everclear)

• 8-10 drops of your favorite citrus essential oil

• 6-8 drops of your favorite conifer essential oil

• 4-6 drops of thyme ct linalool or lavender essential oil

• distilled or filtered water

• 2 oz glass spray bottle

Combine alcohol and essential oils, then fill with water. Shake before use and spritz around rooms or on furniture as needed.

Carpet & Upholstery Refresher

Banish stubborn odors:

• 4 Tbsp baking soda

• 10-15 drops essential oil

• Recycled glass spice bottle with sprinkle top

Fill the glass bottle with baking soda, then add essential oils, lid, and shake vigorously to disperse the essential oil. Sprinkle over carpets or upholstery, let sit 15-30 minutes (or more), then vacuum. To make a larger batch, use a small mason jar, 1 cup of baking soda, and up to 60 drops of essential oil. Ideal oils for carpet deodorizing are lavender, citrus, and evergreen essential oils.

Laundry Scent Booster

For fresher laundry:

• 1/2 cup Epsom salt

• 1/2 cup baking soda

• 30 drops essential oils

Fill a mason jar with the Epsom salt and baking soda, then add the essential oils, lid, and shake vigorously to disperse the essential oil. Use a tablespoon per wash with HE washers and up to 2 Tbsp for regular washers. Ideal oils include citrus, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, and evergreen essential oils.

Note: recipes containing water should be used within two weeks to avoid spoilage unless they include at least 25% high-proof alcohol as a preservative. For freshness and safety, consider making smaller batches. Always label all of your products!

Final Thoughts

Natural cleaning does not have to be complicated! With a few simple ingredients and essential oils, you can clean your home safely, effectively, and aromatically.

What are your favorite DIY cleaning recipes or essential oil blends? I would love to hear what works for you!