Create a healthier non-toxic home with these simple cleaning recipes. Using essential oils to clean is effective and better for your health and home.
Get access to my online resource library for your natural cleaning with essential oils printable labels.
Ok, so I have to admit that I enjoy cleaning. I like a clean house and I can be a bit over the top when it comes to cleaning and organizing. I can’t go to bed with dishes in the sink and I won’t leave my house without the bed made, even when I am going to be gone all day long. I know it doesn’t matter and the next time I see it, I’ll be unmaking it to go to sleep but I still have to make it. I try to be more relaxed about it, but I just can’t. If my house isn’t put together, I feel stressed. I absolutely can’t stand streaks on my mirrors and I like my carpet to have vacuum lines. I am telling you I am over the top and I know it.
A few years ago, I was overhauling the house and getting rid of toxic products in my home. I started making homemade products with my oils and when I came to my precious cleaning supplies, I was skeptical. Would I really be able to make products that work like Windex? Or what about that Lysol smell after my floors are mopped? What about the toilet bowl? Yup, I like cleaning toilets too!
I researched recipes and started trying different things. Let me tell you, I was impressed! I still get that clean, fresh look and scent without the chemicals. I use a couple of essential oils and a few products to clean my entire house, and it still sparkles.
NATURAL CLEANING WITH ESSENTIAL OILS VIDEO
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MY FAVORITE NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCTS
VINEGAR- Vinegar is great for cleaning because of its high acidity level. It can remove sticky buildup, dissolve soap scum, get rid of rings left by hard water, and cut grease. Vinegar can also kill salmonella and E.coli, two bacteria you’ll want to kill.
BAKING SODA- Baking soda is great for absorbing odor and removing stains, making it a go-to for your natural cleaning. Baking Soda is a mild alkali and can cause dirt and grease to dissolve easily in water for effective removal.
CASTILE SOAP- Castile soap is gentle, safe and leaves surfaces squeaky clean. Castile soap is highly concentrated, making it cost-effective because you only need a little bit each time you clean, and each bottle will last you a long time.
These essential oils have powerful cleansing and purifying properties. They can be used to cleanse surfaces, purify the air, and leave behind a pleasant aroma that makes your house smell clean and refreshing. I love diffusing citrus oils on cleaning day to get that lemon “LYSOL-Y” smell!
I keep it simple. As I am writing this, I am looking around to see if I am missing anything; I can’t believe how little I use when it comes to cleaning. Under my sink, where I keep the cleaning supplies, is pretty boring, but I like it. I like that my kids can help me clean without me having to worry about chemical burns or them ingesting it. I like that the ingredients are healthy and natural. I love that they work!
I am going to share the few recipes I use to clean my entire house, my dish soap recipe, and my favorite DIY foaming hand soap.
ALL PURPOSE CLEANING SPRAY
When I say ALL purpose, I mean ALL! This stuff covers it. You can use it on the counters, bathroom vanities, kitchen surfaces, floors, and even mirrors; it doesn’t streak!
Add ingredients to a mason jar and mix well. Add a dime-size amount to a cloth and rub on furniture to remove smudges and dust. It adds a nice, shiny, protective layer.
Add essential oils and castile soap to spray bottle and top off with water. You can add 1 tablespoon to a sink of warm water or spray one time on each dish to wash individually.
Add essential oils and castile soap to a foaming soap dispenser and top off with water. This makes an all-natural, gentle, foaming hand soap.
Y’all, that’s it! Simple. With these few products, you will cover all your cleaning needs, and I have a lot of cleaning needs. As I said, I am a bit over the top when it comes to cleaning, AND I have 4 little kids, so believe me, these recipes are tried and true.
I love the idea of putting dish soap in a spray bottle. Right now I am refilling the Dawn foam soap bottle but I can imagine liking this method as well
Hi, I keep reading that baking soda and vinegar being mixed is dangerous, do you know if this is true? There are so many recipes using these two ingredients…
Thanks!
It’s not dangerous, but with one being acidic and the other being basic, they undergo an acid-base reaction when combined which causes the fizzing you see. They will neutralize each other if used in equal amounts and basically leave behind salty water (water and sodium acetate). It isn’t bad to combine them, especially if you feel the fizz helps in some way, but they definitely tend to work better separately. That being said, they’re both great cleaning materials.
Thank you for the cleaning recipes. How much vinegar do I need to add to my spray bottle for the toilet bowl cleaner? What type of water do you use–distilled or tap? Thank you.
I also use homemade cleaning products, and I like your video very much. The one problem I have is using a cleaner with vinegar in it on all surfaces. Vinegar should never be used on granite, marble or any stone material. It will over time damage those surfaces.
For cleaning these surfaces I use- 3 TBS rubbing alcohol, 1 1/2 cup distilled water, 1 tsp castle soap.
Mix in a spray bottle and no harm to stone counter tops.
I made the dish soap from this post and while it doesn’t foam and lather quite like store bought dish soap does, it still seems to be getting everything clean!! So I’m happy!!
Has anyone had their Castile soap curdle on contact after adding vinegar or citrus essential oils? It is happening to me so I’m just leaving those out and using either tea tree or lavender for the foaming hand soap and dish soap spray. They work great! I love these recipes.
Any diy ideas for ant issues. House is Thoroughly cleaned, but every summer I deal with ants coming in and constantly scouring my house looking for something. Do you have any suggestions or something safe for cats to spray ?
I am deathly allergic to olive oil. Castile soap and olive oil in anything can stick me in the hospital. Can you recommend something to use besides olive oil???
Thank you!
I look forward to trying some of these… I have read that vinegar sprays are not good for granite counter tops. Are you familiar with this? Any recipes for granite countertop cleaners?
and removing stains, making it a go-to for your natural cleaning. Baking Soda is a mild alkali and can cause dirt and grease to dissolve easily in water for effective removal.
and removing stains, making it a go-to for your natural cleaning. Baking Soda is a mild alkali and can cause dirt and grease to dissolve easily in water for effective removal.
Shannon says
LOVE the labels!! I am so guilty of mixing up a solution and then forgetting what is in it. Problem solved
lauraascher says
Yay I am so glad you like them! I have done it to many times myself!! Everything has to have a label!
Christian says
I love the idea of putting dish soap in a spray bottle. Right now I am refilling the Dawn foam soap bottle but I can imagine liking this method as well
Laura says
I will never switch back! It is a great way to conserve your soap so you don’t waste any.
Gloria says
Very interested in cleaning.! How do I get the labels to put on the bottles so I know what I am using.
Thank you
Gloria
Laura says
They are in my online resource library. Here is the link to get access: https://ouroilyhouse.ck.page/member-resource-library
Rachel says
Hi, I keep reading that baking soda and vinegar being mixed is dangerous, do you know if this is true? There are so many recipes using these two ingredients…
Thanks!
Laura says
I use the two for cleaning often and have always had great results.
Stevie says
It’s not dangerous, but with one being acidic and the other being basic, they undergo an acid-base reaction when combined which causes the fizzing you see. They will neutralize each other if used in equal amounts and basically leave behind salty water (water and sodium acetate). It isn’t bad to combine them, especially if you feel the fizz helps in some way, but they definitely tend to work better separately. That being said, they’re both great cleaning materials.
Athena says
Thank you for the cleaning recipes. How much vinegar do I need to add to my spray bottle for the toilet bowl cleaner? What type of water do you use–distilled or tap? Thank you.
Laura says
I use tap water and about 1/4 cup vineger!
Allana says
Hi there! I’m so going to try the all purpose cleaning recipe! Was just curious if this would work for cleaning walls?
Laura says
Yes, I do use it for walls too!
kat says
I also use homemade cleaning products, and I like your video very much. The one problem I have is using a cleaner with vinegar in it on all surfaces. Vinegar should never be used on granite, marble or any stone material. It will over time damage those surfaces.
For cleaning these surfaces I use- 3 TBS rubbing alcohol, 1 1/2 cup distilled water, 1 tsp castle soap.
Mix in a spray bottle and no harm to stone counter tops.
Laura says
Thank you! I would never use vinegar on granite or any natural stones, in face I have a granite safe cleaner!Here is the link: https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/homemade-granite-countertop-cleaner-easy-recipe/
Abbey says
I made the dish soap from this post and while it doesn’t foam and lather quite like store bought dish soap does, it still seems to be getting everything clean!! So I’m happy!!
Laura says
I am so glad you are liking it!
Jessica says
I am definitely giving your all purpose cleaner a try tomorrow!!!
Sue says
I just found your website! Looking forward to detoxing my home.
I have been unable to find the laundry recipe labels though and would love them.
Laura says
All the labels are here: https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/member-resource-library/
Kathryn Lairson says
Love your posts. you have changed the way I clean and keep house.
Lisa LaBarbera says
Has anyone had their Castile soap curdle on contact after adding vinegar or citrus essential oils? It is happening to me so I’m just leaving those out and using either tea tree or lavender for the foaming hand soap and dish soap spray. They work great! I love these recipes.
Kelly Bates says
Any diy ideas for ant issues. House is Thoroughly cleaned, but every summer I deal with ants coming in and constantly scouring my house looking for something. Do you have any suggestions or something safe for cats to spray ?
Laura says
I use peppermint oil for ants, it works great! I have a blog post on it.
Leza Wilson says
I am deathly allergic to olive oil. Castile soap and olive oil in anything can stick me in the hospital. Can you recommend something to use besides olive oil???
Thank you!
Rebecca says
Hi Is is safe to put leucidal liquid in all my diy recipes from skincare to cleaning supplies and detergents?
Melissa says
I look forward to trying some of these… I have read that vinegar sprays are not good for granite counter tops. Are you familiar with this? Any recipes for granite countertop cleaners?
Laura says
Correct, vinegar is NOT safe for granite. You can find my granite cleaner by using the search bar at the top of this site.