Create a sustainable, non-toxic home with these simple cleaning recipes. Using essential oils to clean is effective and better for your 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. It was actually during my spring cleaning routine, and 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.
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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.
If you’re looking for a quick way to find the ingredients and tools I use, I’ve linked them all together on my Walmart shop page for convenience.
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
You can use it on counters, bathroom vanities, kitchen surfaces, floors, and even mirrors; it doesn’t streak!
Do not use this spray on natural stone. If you have granite or marble countertops, you’ll want to use a homemade granite cleaner for those.
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.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out my natural cleaning recipes post. It’s packed with some of my favorite at-home cleaning DIYs, all in one place!
Welcome to Our Oily House, I’m so glad you’re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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
I am definitely giving your all purpose cleaner a try tomorrow!!!
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!!
I am so glad you are liking it!
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.
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/
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 use tap water and about 1/4 cup vineger!
Hi there! I’m so going to try the all purpose cleaning recipe! Was just curious if this would work for cleaning walls?
Yes, I do use it for walls too!
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
They are in my online resource library. Here is the link to get access: https://ouroilyhouse.ck.page/member-resource-library
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!
I use the two for cleaning often and have always had great results.
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.
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
I will never switch back! It is a great way to conserve your soap so you don’t waste any.
LOVE the labels!! I am so guilty of mixing up a solution and then forgetting what is in it. Problem solved
Yay I am so glad you like them! I have done it to many times myself!! Everything has to have a label!