20 Essential Oil Cleaning Recipes - DIY Natural Cleaners

Updated October 2026

To clean with essential oils, add a few drops of lemon, orange, tea tree, lavender or peppermint oil to simple ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, castile soap and water. Here are my 20 favorite essential oil cleaning recipes for every room, from an all-purpose spray to dish soap and floor cleaner, plus the supplies to keep on hand and the safety tips I follow. Jump to the 20 recipes.

Cleaning isn't one of my favorite things, but homemade cleaners make it a lot more fun. I love any reason to use my essential oils, and these recipes are inexpensive, easy to make and leave my house smelling fresh instead of like harsh chemicals.

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Must-Have DIY Natural Cleaning Ingredients

Here are the ingredients I use in my homemade cleaners. You may already have most of them at home.

Castile Soap

Castile soap lifts dirt and cuts grease. It's my must-have for foaming soap, dish soap, laundry and many other recipes. I buy an unscented one so I can add my own oils. Shop castile soap (affiliate link). Learn more in essential oils and castile soap.

Baking Soda

Baking soda absorbs odors and gives gentle scrubbing power for counters, sinks and tubs. Shop baking soda (affiliate link). Try my scented baking soda too.

White Vinegar

Buy the big jug, because you'll use it a lot. White vinegar cuts grease and grime and dissolves mineral deposits and soap scum. Keep it off granite, marble and other natural stone, because the acid can dull these surfaces over time. Shop white vinegar (affiliate link)

Olive Oil

A basic olive oil works well as a polish for wood and leather. Save your nice cooking oil for the kitchen. Shop olive oil (affiliate link)

Microfiber Cloths

Microfiber cloths are great for windows, mirrors, dusting and countertops. They absorb better than regular towels, leave a streak-free finish and won't scratch. Shop microfiber cloths (affiliate link)

Glass Spray Bottles

Essential oils can break down some plastics, so I use glass. The 8 oz size is perfect for several cleaning sessions, and I make fresh cleaners every month or two. Shop glass spray bottles (affiliate link)

Salt

Table salt is naturally abrasive, so it's good for scouring rust, soap scum and grime on hard surfaces. A sprinkle also helps settle overflowing suds in the sink.

Borax

Borax (sodium borate) is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in laundry and cleaning for over 100 years. It's a great laundry booster, stain remover and toilet cleaner. It's still a strong cleaner, though. Wear gloves if your skin is sensitive, keep it away from your eyes, and store it out of reach of kids and pets, since it's harmful if swallowed. Shop borax (affiliate link)

Vodka or Grain Alcohol

Vodka helps cut grime and evaporates quickly, so it's great for streak-free shower and glass sprays. I prefer it over rubbing alcohol, and the inexpensive kind works fine. For room sprays, I use high-proof grain alcohol to help the oils mix into the water. See my homemade essential oil sprays.

Vegetable Glycerin

Vegetable glycerin thickens homemade soaps and adds a soft, moisturizing feel for your hands. It doesn't help essential oils mix into water, so you'll still need to shake. Shop vegetable glycerin (affiliate link)

Other handy ingredients include lemon juice, washing soda (affiliate link) and hydrogen peroxide.

Best Essential Oils for Cleaning

Citrus oils are my top pick for cleaning, but these are all wonderful to clean with. Read why I love each of my favorites in my top 5 essential oils for cleaning.

• Lemon essential oil
• Orange essential oil
• Lime essential oil
• Lavender essential oil
• Tea tree oil (melaleuca)
• Peppermint essential oil (not around kids under 6)
• Spearmint essential oil
• White fir essential oil
• Eucalyptus essential oil (not around kids under 10)

20 DIY Essential Oil Cleaning Recipes

Each recipe lists the ages of kids it's fine to use around once the surface is dry. Shake sprays well before every use, since essential oils float on top of water and vinegar.

1. Lime Essential Oil Soft Scrub

Use around: Kids 2+

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 2 tablespoons castile soap
• 1 tablespoon water
• 10 drops lime essential oil

Method: Mix in a bowl and use right away on stovetops, sinks and tubs. Rinse well. Store leftovers in a glass jar and use within a week.

2. Peppermint Daily Shower Spray

Use around: Kids 6+ (contains peppermint)

• 1/4 cup vodka (or rubbing alcohol)
• 3/4 cup water
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 8 oz glass spray bottle

Method: Combine in the bottle and shake. After each shower, shake well and mist the walls and doors. No rinsing needed.

3. Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaner

Use around: Kids 2+

• 3/4 cup distilled water
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 15 drops lavender essential oil
• 15 drops orange essential oil
• 8 oz glass spray bottle

Method: Combine in the bottle and shake. Shake well, spray the surface and wipe clean.

4. Tea Tree Toilet Cleaner

Use around: Kids 2+

• 1 cup white vinegar in an 8 oz glass spray bottle
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup salt
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil
• A shaker container (a recycled spice jar works great)

Method: Mix the baking soda, salt and tea tree oil in the shaker. Spray vinegar into the toilet bowl, then sprinkle in the powder and let it fizz. Add more vinegar if needed. Let it sit 15 minutes, scrub with a toilet brush and flush.

5. Tea Tree Cleaning Wipes

Use around: Kids 2+ once dry

• 1 roll sturdy paper towels (you'll use half per batch)
• 2 cups warm distilled water
• 15 drops tea tree essential oil
• 1 tablespoon castile soap
• Container with an airtight lid, or a gallon zip-top bag

Method: Cut the paper towel roll in half with a serrated knife and save the other half for your next batch. Mix the water, essential oil and castile soap, place the half roll in the container and pour the mixture over it. Let it soak for 10 minutes, flip the container and soak 10 more. Pull out the cardboard tube and pull wipes from the center. Keep covered, and use within a week.

6. Pine Floor Cleaner

Use around: Kids 2+ once dry

• 1 gallon warm water
• 2 tablespoons castile soap
• 15 drops white fir essential oil
• 5 drops lemon essential oil

Method: Mix the essential oils into the castile soap first, then add to the water in a mop bucket. Mop floors and let them air dry. If you have cats, follow with a plain water mop so oils don't end up on their paws.

7. Dusting Spray

Use around: Kids 2+

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 10 drops white fir or lemon essential oil
• 3/4 cup distilled water
• 8 oz glass spray bottle

Method: Add everything except the water and swirl. Fill with water and shake. Shake well and lightly mist a microfiber cloth, then dust. Skip natural stone.

8. Simple Furniture Polish

Use around: Kids 2+

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 5 drops lemon essential oil
• 2 oz glass pump bottle

Method: Shake to mix. Pump a little onto a microfiber cloth and rub into wood surfaces. Polish every month or two, and dust with the spray above in between. Test on a hidden spot first.

9. Stain Remover Spray for Clothes

Use around: Kids 2+

• 2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin
• 2 tablespoons castile soap
• 3/4 cup distilled water
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 8 oz glass spray bottle

Method: Get the full directions in my DIY stain remover for clothes.

10. Mint Citrus Surface Spray

Use around: Kids 10+ once dry (contains eucalyptus and peppermint)

• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops orange essential oil
• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 3/4 cup water
• 8 oz glass spray bottle

Method: Combine and shake well. Spray counters, doorknobs and handles, and wipe clean.

11. Window Spray Cleaner

Use around: Kids 2+

• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon rubbing alcohol to help prevent streaks (optional)
• 10 drops citrus essential oil of choice
• 3/4 cup water
• 8 oz glass spray bottle

Method: Add everything except the water and swirl. Fill with water and shake. Use with a microfiber cloth for best results.

12. Refrigerator and Microwave Cleaner

Use around: Kids 2+

• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 3/4 cup hot water
• 5 drops lemon essential oil
• 8 oz glass spray bottle

Method: Shake well, spray inside the fridge or microwave, then scrub and wipe with a damp cloth. For a stuck-on microwave, heat a cup of water with 3 drops of lemon essential oil in a microwave-safe container for about 4 minutes until steamy. Let it sit 5 minutes, carefully remove the hot cup and wipe the inside clean.

13. Shower Mildew Stain Spray

Use around: Kids 10+ once dry (contains eucalyptus)

• 2/3 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup distilled water
• 1 teaspoon borax
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops orange essential oil
• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 8 oz glass spray bottle

Method: Shake well and spray grout, caulk and shower corners. Let it sit 15 minutes, then wipe with a damp microfiber cloth. Run the fan to keep things dry. For large or recurring mold, fix the moisture source and call a professional.

14. Homemade Citrus Dish Soap

Use around: Kids 2+

• 3/4 cup liquid castile soap
• 2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 5 drops orange essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil
• 8 oz glass pump bottle

Method: Gently whisk everything in a bowl, then funnel into the bottle. Add a few squirts to dish water, or a little to a washcloth to hand wash dishes. Rinse dishes well.

15. Shower Head Cleaner

Use around: Kids 2+

• White vinegar
• 5 drops lemon essential oil
• Gallon zip-top bag and a rubber band

Method: Put the shower head in the bag with enough vinegar to cover it and add the lemon oil. Soak a few hours. If you can't remove the shower head, fill the bag, slip it over the head and hold it in place with a rubber band. Run the water for a minute before showering. Skip this on brass, gold-tone or specialty finishes.

16. Mattress Refresh Spray

Use around: Kids 10+ once dry (contains eucalyptus and peppermint)

• 1/2 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup distilled water
• 8 drops lavender essential oil
• 4 drops peppermint essential oil
• 4 drops tea tree essential oil
• 4 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 8 oz glass spray bottle

Method: Shake well, lightly mist a bare mattress and let it dry completely before making the bed. This freshens a mattress, but it won't get rid of bed bugs. If you suspect them, call a pest professional.

17. Garbage Disposal Cleaning Bombs

Use around: Kids 6+ (contains peppermint)

• 2 cups baking soda
• 1 cup salt
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
• 15 drops orange essential oil
• 15 drops peppermint essential oil
• About 1/2 cup water

Method: Mix the baking soda and salt, then blend in the castile soap and essential oils. Slowly add water while stirring until the mix feels like damp sand and holds together when pressed. Too wet? Add baking soda. Too dry? Add a little water. Pack into a tablespoon or roll into balls, set on wax paper and let dry about 24 hours. Store in a glass jar. To use, drop one in the disposal, run the water and turn on the disposal. See my garbage disposal cleaner pods for more.

18. Grime and Grease Remover

Use around: Kids 2+

• 1 cup white vinegar in an 8 oz glass spray bottle
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 4 drops lemon essential oil
• Paper towels

Method: Mix the baking soda and lemon oil in a shaker. Spray the greasy area with vinegar, sprinkle on the baking soda, then spray again and let it fizz. Let sit 15 minutes, then wipe with paper towels and toss them. Great for under appliances and on top of kitchen cabinets.

19. Natural Stovetop Cleaner

Use around: Kids 2+

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 5 drops lime essential oil

Method: Stir into a paste and spread over a cool stovetop and burners. Leave on for 15 minutes or longer for tough spots, scrub with a sponge and wipe clean. Skip the salt on glass cooktops, which can scratch.

20. Lavender Foaming Hand Soap

Use around: Kids 2+

• 2 tablespoons castile soap
• 2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
• 20 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 cup distilled water
• 10 oz foaming soap pump

Method: Add the water to the bottle first, then the castile soap, glycerin and essential oil. Screw on the pump and tip gently to mix. Use within a few weeks. Try my rosemary lemon foaming hand soap too.

Essential Oils Cleaning Guide with Labels

Want all of these recipes in one place, with labels for your bottles? Grab my essential oil cleaning guide.

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More Essential Oil Cleaning Posts

Cleaning Basics

• Top 5 Essential Oils for Cleaning Naturally
• Lemon Essential Oil for Cleaning
• Essential Oils and Castile Soap
• Benefits of Castile Soap
• Kumquat Essential Oil for Cleaning

Kitchen and Bathroom

• Garbage Disposal Cleaner Pods
• Homemade Oven Cleaner
• DIY Fizzing Toilet Powder
• Scented Baking Soda

Laundry, Soap and Around the House

• DIY Stain Remover for Clothes
• DIY Foaming Hand Soap
• Makeup Brush Cleaner
• How to Reuse and Clean Empty Essential Oil Bottles

Fresh-Smelling Home

• Fall Essential Oil Cleaning Spray
• Homemade Essential Oil Sprays
• Baking Soda Air Freshener
• Peppermint Air Freshener
• Spring Cleaning Diffuser Blend

Ready to make your own cleaners? My Aromatherapy Supply Kits have the bottles and supplies you need, and my free essential oil guides have even more recipes.